GENERATIONS FORWARD: EMPOWERING DESCENDANTS, ENRICHING COMMUNITIES

GENERATIONS FORWARD is a bold new initiative supporting Holocaust descendants (2G, 3G, and 4G) in the Greater Toronto Area.

As descendants of Holocaust survivors, many carry the profound impact of intergenerational trauma, which can feel overwhelming in today’s complex world. Yet, together, we can transform this weight into a catalyst for personal growth and resilience.

Launched spring 2026, GENERATIONS FORWARD gathers monthly, supported by the Bernard Betel Centre and compassionate health practitioners.

Since October 7, many descendants have found themselves feeling more triggered, more unsettled, and less able to make sense of what they are feeling – and why. Now more than ever, it is important to come together, build community, and know you are not alone in what you are feeling.

GENERATIONS FORWARD is a safe place to connect and share. Each session stands alone, so you can drop in anytime. You do not need to have attended a previous session to join. Sessions are free and typically held ton he first Wednesday evening of each month.

If you would like to join the nest session of GENERATIONS FORWARD, please use the link below to register.

If you’re inspired to empower GENERATIONS FORWARD as a sponsor or wish to learn more about our mission, please feel free to contact us directly.

PROGRAM GROUND RULES

Foundation

These sessions are designed to create and maintain a safe and supportive space for descendants to share their experiences and concerns. We ask all participants to honor confidentiality — what is shared in this space stays in this space. Please be aware that facilitators have professional obligations that may require them to act if there is concern for someone’s safety.

Participants are to respect each other’s personal views and experiences, recognizing that every family’s story is unique.

Participants should refrain from sharing political views and perspectives.

Logistics

Name tags will be provided to help identify participants.

The facilitator will announce how much time will be given to each speaker based on the size of the group. Please try to stay within the timeframe.

Those wishing to speak will raise their hand and be placed on a speaking list by the facilitator. Participants are not to speak out of turn.

Facilitators and Support

There will always be 2 therapists facilitating each session.

It is anticipated that some people may become emotional during sessions and may need a timeout. They can signal to the facilitator and one of the therapists will accompany them out of the room.

Group Norms

We ask that participants listen with empathy and refrain from offering advice or comparing experiences. This is a space to be heard and supported, not to problem-solve.

No audio or video recording or photography is permitted during sessions.

Out of respect for all participants, please do not share information about other group members or their stories on social media or other public platforms.

Commitments and Resources

To help build trust and continuity within the group, we ask participants to commit to attending sessions regularly. If you are unable to attend, please notify [contact name/info] in advance.

For those who would like to access mental health services beyond these sessions, a list of resources will be made available.