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Before the War
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The Society for Rehabilitation and Training, known as ORT, ran schools and provided training programs for the displaced persons. Zionist organizations and kibbutzim (collective farms) taught farming skills and Hebrew to those planning to immigrate to Palestine. By 1946 conditions began to improve in the DP camps. The camps began to function as self-contained societies. There was an influx of Polish Jews recently released from the Soviet Union. People married and thousands of births were recorded. Most worked or took part in a variety of training programs. Schools, sports and cultural clubs were formed.     more... »
Displaced Persons
Dislocated, stateless Jews and others, whose homes were destroyed or occupied by strangers or who feared reprisals or annihilation if they returned to their pre-war communities. In 1945, there were between 1.5 million and 2 million displaced persons; this figure included 200,000 Jews, most from Eastern Europe.
Hebrew
An ancient Canaanite language of the Hebrews traditionally used in prayer. It has been revived as the official language of the State of Israel.
Kibbutz
A collective farm where the members own all property in common. Social Zionist organizations promoted this form of collective agriculture. After the Holocaust, kibbutzim were formed in Europe to provide agricultural training to survivors, in the hope of relocating the kibbutzim and their members to Palestine.
ORT
The Society for Rehabilitation through Training dedicated to providing Jews with trade and farm skills. After World War II, ORT set up free schools, vocational and cooperative workshops in Europe, North Africa and China for displaced Jewish refugees.