After one too many columns written while stuck at home, the opportunity arrived to attend my first in-person Jewish event in a while.

It was the opening of Besa: Code of Honour. a Yad Vashem exhibit at Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue in the Bathurst Manor area of Toronto.

The event paid tribute to the Holocaust heroes of Albania and Kosovo, while also celebrating the 14th Anniversary of the latter country’s Independence.

Besa features photography by Norman Gershman, who dedicated four years to capturing photos of Muslim families who rescued Jews from the Holocaust. 

But before the attendees had a chance to peruse the photographs, a medley of national anthems—Israel, Albania and Kosovo—played while everyone stood proudly. 

A video speech by the President of Kosovo herself, Vjosa Osmani, accompanied heartfelt in-person speeches by a group of dignitaries. And then a band played classical Albanian music while guests sipped kosher wine and checked out the exhibit itself. 

I had no idea Albania played such an instrumental role in keeping Jews safe during the Second World War. So, here’s what I learned:

• The word besa means “to keep the promise” and is considered the highest ethical code of Albania.
• “The house of Albania belongs to God and the guest” is a kanun (set of guidelines) established in the 15th century: “Welcome,” it continues, “he [the guest] must have no fear and know that you are ready to defend him against any danger.”
• In this manner, Albanians treated Jewish refugees as their guests and made it their promise to do whatever they could to keep them safe.
• They refused to hand over lists of those in hiding, despite keeping records themselves.
• Many hid in the homes of Albanian locals—and some even disguised themselves as farmers and shepherds. 
• During the German occupation, out of an estimated 1,800 Jews who arrived between 1933 and 1945, only one family perished.

Moreover, I learned that Albania is the only country whose Jewish population actually increased after the Holocaust. Pretty incredible stuff.

Every photograph is accompanied by a quote. One that stood out to me was from Higmet Zyma, who died in 2017 at age 94:

“The year was 1944. A friend of ours asked us to shelter an aged Jewish man from Poland. His name was Lew Dzienciolski. Why not? My husband Bessim was a wonderful physician. He worked at the hospital and we had a clinic in the basement. I recall Mr. Dzienciolski could only see from one eye. What my husband did was bandage his entire face and hide him in our clinic. The Nazis did not bother us then.”

Looking at the photographs of these individuals, all of whom were awarded the esteemed title of Righteous Among the Nations, sent shivers down my spine.

Above all, it was very moving to see everyone come together—in Bathurst Manor of all places—to celebrate the camaraderie and deep compassion between the Jewish and Albanian peoples which came out of their heroism. 

I hope to continue learning about the bravery of these remarkable humans.

What’s new on Bonjour Chai

Last week on the podcast, we talked to former Hollywood screenwriter Len Blum about his dear friend of 50 years, Ivan Reitman–who passed away a few days earlier. The two of them collaborated on hit movies in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s.

What wasn’t mentioned on the show is that Len left show business behind to run a yoga studio in Westmount, Quebec! Too bad we couldn’t chat about that, since I also have a yoga background. 

I grew up on a lot of old movies and TV shows, but, to be honest… before preparing for this episode I hadn’t seen many of Ivan’s movies, many of which seem to be targeted at teenage boys. But it was fascinating to hear all about Ivan’s journey and how he went from making short films at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., to starting Bill Murray’s movie career with Meatballs. 

Interesting anecdote: Reitman was the child of Holocaust survivors. And while his movies weren’t blatantly Jewish, he aimed to create comedies to lighten up the lives of audiences due to what his parents experienced.

Check out every Bonjour Chai episode on this website or subscribe wherever you get podcasts. And be sure to check out the subsequent episode on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. (We’re nothing if not eclectic around here.)

Until next time, nanu nanu…

Ilana Zackon can be reached at ilanawritesthings[@]gmail.com and found on Facebook and Instagram.

HEAR what else she has to say every week on Bonjour Chai