The life and legacy of partisan photographer Faye Schulman

Two writers reflect on her extraordinary feats.
Faye Schulman (Photo courtesy Moshe Lazebnik)

Faye Schulman lost most of her family in the Holocaust—her parents, aunts, uncle, two brothers and two sisters. But Schulman herself was spared because she was a photographer and had worked in her brother’s studio. She ended up living a life worthy of a Hollywood film, joining and living with a band of Russian partisan fighters in the woods. Schulman died at the end of April in Toronto at the age of 101. This week, her children are marking the traditional 30-day anniversary of her death, called shloshim.

On today’s episode of The CJN Daily, we hear from two writers about Schulman’s life and legacy. Ron Csillag, a reporter for The CJN, wrote her obituary and had met her briefly years ago; and Judy Batalion is a Montreal-born writer whose latest book, The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler’s Ghettos, features Schulman among many other courageous women. Listen to the full episode in the player above.

What we talked about:

  • Wartime photographer Faye Schulman captured lives of the partisan resistance (thecjn.ca)
  • Learn more about Judy Batalion and find her books at judybatalion.com
  • Judy Batalion is speaking on the evening of May 27 via Zoom to the Congregation Dorshei Emet synagogue congregation in Montreal. Get the access code at dorsheiemet.com

The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Victoria Redden is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. Find more great Jewish podcasts at thecjn.ca.

Author

Support Our Mission: Make a Difference!

The Canadian Jewish News is now a Registered Journalism Organization (RJO) as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency. To help support the valuable work we’re doing, we’re asking for individual monthly donations of at least $10. In exchange, you’ll receive tax receipts, a thank-you gift of our quarterly magazine delivered to your door, and our gratitude for helping continue our mission. If you have any questions about the donating process, please write to [email protected].

Support the Media that Speaks to You

Jewish Canadians deserve more than social media rumours, adversarial action alerts, and reporting with biases that are often undisclosed. The Canadian Jewish News proudly offers independent national coverage on issues that impact our audience each day, as a conduit for conversations that bridge generations. 

It’s an outlet you can count on—but we’re also counting on you.

Please support Jewish journalism that’s creative, innovative, and dedicated to breaking new ground to serve your community, while building on media traditions of the past 65 years. As a Registered Journalism Organization, contributions of any size are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.