Everything changed Continued from page 12 13 · Friday, November 9, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Life was good for Gelbard's family until 1938 when Nazi Germany annexed Austria. Soon after, Jews were no longer allowed to attend public schools, visit parks, go to movies and were restricted when shopping. Anti-Semitism and fear of being seen as sympathetic to Jews also meant the parents of many of Gelbard's non-Jewish friends would no longer allow their children to play with her. "That was a hard thing for a child," she said. "Everything went away." Gelbard's father would pick her up at the Jewish community school every day for her safety. One day they were taking a streetcar home when a Gestapo officer (Nazi secret police) demanded to see her father's identity papers. "My father gave his papers with the letter `J' on it. The Nazi said, `Jews' and moved us to one side," said Gelbard. "By some miracle he looked at my father and recognized my father because (he) was known as a "One day at 5 a.m., there was a big bang on the door. The police were here and they told us to get dressed. We were put in a big, open truck and taken to a holding camp." Edith Gelbard soccer player." The Gestapo officer was a soccer fan and told Gelbard's father to get his family out of Vienna as Nazis were rounding up Jews. Gelbard's father took the warning very seriously and that night the family fled their home for Brussels, Belgium. Many of their extended family members who stayed behind were never seen again. The journey was a long one and the family had to travel light. Gelbard brought only a small doll she had since she was born. Her mother sewed a pouch containing money and much of the family's jewelry into Gelbard's coat in the hope that if they were stopped the soldiers or police would not search the little girl. This money and jewelry was used to pay for shelter and transportation as the family made its way to Belgium. Gelbard's time in Belgium was short lived as the German invasion began in May 1940. With the arrival of the Nazis, persecution of Jews rapidly followed with Gelbard's father being arrested before her mother was somehow able to get him released. To this day, Gelbard has no idea how her mother See Fear page 15 Mark Your Calendar Churchill Place Fraud Awareness Protection Monday, November 19th, Tuesday, November 27th, Join us at the Oakville Revera Retirement Residence of your choice as we host our upcoming November events: 2:00 pm 3:30 pm 2:00 pm 3:30 pm Greenlife Residential Hybrid Condominiums featuring the Lowest Condo Fees in Canada! · A fantastic real estate opportunity · Nestled among orchards, walking trails and quaint downtown Milton · Lowest condos fees in Canada LAST CHANCE FOR PRE-CONSTRUCTION PRICES! 80% SOLD! The Kensington Oakville Zumba Gold! Tuesday, November 13th, Tuesday, November 20th, 2:00 pm 3:30 pm 2:00 pm 3:30 pm Trafalgar Lodge Holiday Bingo Friday, November 16th, Friday, November 30th, 2:00 pm 3:30 pm 2:00 pm 3:30 pm Complimentary refreshments and tours of our residence also available. Call to RSVP for the event and location of your choice. Take advantage of Pre-construction prices! Churchill Place 345 Church St Oakville 905-338-3311 1087sq. ft. - 1470 sq. ft. FROM $ 310,900 HWY 25 The Kensington 25 Lakeshore Rd W Oakville HWY 401 STEELES AVE Presentation Centre: 6810 Main St. West, Milton, ON. JAMES SNOW PKWY 905-844-4000 11015 10.12 MAIN ST TREMAINE RD WHITMER ST DERRY RD Hours: Mon - Thurs: 12pm To 5pm Sat & Sun: 11am To 4pm Friday: Closed AN INSPIRED CONDOMINIUM A HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING THOMPSON RD BRONTE ST ONTARIO ST Trafalgar Lodge reveraliving.com Revera: Canadian owned for 50 years with more than 250 locations. delridgehomes.com | 1.877.479.5448 Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. E. & O. E. N 299 Randall St Oakville 905-842-8408