In Zaidy’s Band, Aron Heller chronicles his extensive journey with his grandfather – his Zaidy – to uncover Zaidy’s mysterious wartime past and the untold stories of his Jewish Canadian “band of brothers.” The book explores Heller’s efforts to document their fates and the turbulent process of establishing a museum in Israel dedicated to the 1.5 million Jewish soldiers who fought in the Second World War.
Through eight trips from Israel to Toronto with his Zaidy, along with countless calls and messages, Heller offers a fresh perspective on the often-silent majority of Second World War veterans. The book uncovers dozens of previously unknown stories of lost friendships, personal tragedies, acts of heroism, and emotional reunions. These men played key roles in the defining events of their time – fighting against Nazism and contributing to the establishment of Israel. Their voices, however, are not mere relics of the past. The dilemmas they faced – faith, belonging, courage, and sacrifice – continue to resonate today, shaping the Jewish experience as we confront rising antisemitism and the challenges facing the Jewish state.
Part memoir, part historical biography, and part mystery, Zaidy’s Band reveals how even the humblest acts of Second World War service shaped a generation of men and left a lasting impact on their families for years to come.

Aron Heller is an Israel-based reporter, writer, columnist, and broadcaster.

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