April 2025
Michelle Daleo

Fifty years ago, the Hamilton Jewish community opened its arms to the Neizvestny family as they began their new life in Canada. Today, we strive to do the same for families arriving from Israel, displaced in the wake of October 7. The circumstances may be different, but the need — and our response — remains the same. This is what we do. This is who we are. A community that has always stood by one another, lifting each other up in times of need. As you read Michelle’s heartfelt account of her grandparents’ journey, let it serve as a reminder that the work is never done and what we did then, we continue to do now.
— Cara Bensimon, executive director, Hamilton Jewish Family Services

This year marks the 50th anniversary of a pivotal moment in the lives of my grandparents, Jacob and Lena Neizvestny, Holocaust survivors who made the life-changing decision to emigrate to Canada with their daughter, my mother, Ola. On May 25, 1975, they arrived in Canada with a vision of building a better future for themselves and their family. Just two days later, they arrived at the bus station in Hamilton, Ontario, ready to embark on their new life.

Born and raised in the USSR, my grandparents had already endured the unimaginable during their early years. Having survived the horrors of the Holocaust, they rebuilt their lives in their homeland, but the Soviet regime left them with limited opportunities for personal and religious growth. Their journey to Canada was fueled by the hope that their lives — and the lives of their children — could be better in a new country where freedom and opportunity awaited.

At the time of their arrival, my mother and grandparents were the first immigrants from the former Soviet Union to settle in Hamilton in more than 50 years. They left behind my uncle and aunt, who had just welcomed their first son, and a life that they had worked hard to build. It was not an easy decision, but their commitment to a brighter future for their family propelled them forward.

Upon their arrival, they were supported by the kindness and generosity of the Hamilton Jewish community, which played a pivotal role in helping them settle into their new home. Hamilton Jewish Family Services, under the guidance of Sam Soifer, Carol Krames, Rabbi Morton Green, Rabbi Bernard Baskin, Rabbi Israel Silverman, and the Shapiro, Goldblatt, and Minden families, provided invaluable assistance, offering support as they adjusted to life in a new country. 

Over the years, my mother and grandparents not only built their lives in Hamilton, but also gave back to the community that embraced them. Their home became a beacon of warmth and kindness, as they sponsored many friends and family members to come to Canada, helping others find the same opportunities they had been fortunate to receive. Their deep commitment to their Jewish identity remained a guiding force throughout their lives, inspiring those around them.

Over the last 50 years, our family has grown, and the legacy of their hard work, resilience, and love has been passed down through generations. Their great-granddaughters now attend The Hamilton Hebrew Academy and Camp Ramah in Canada, continuing the traditions and pride in their Jewish heritage that my grandparents held so dear. It is a testament to their lasting influence that these values continue to shape the future of our family.

This 50th anniversary is both a reason to celebrate my family’s arrival in Hamilton and their remarkable story  — one marked by struggle, determination, and, above all, an unwavering love for family and community. Their story is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of hope, hard work, and the kindness of a community that can change lives.

As we reflect on their journey, we honour the memory and the enduring impact of their legacy on both our family, and the Jewish community in Hamilton.

CAPTION: Lena and Jacob Neizvestny with their daughter Ola at the Black Sea prior to their immigration to Canada