In Memoriam

Ted Bolgar z”l

1924  –  2026

International March of the Living mourns the passing of Ted Bolgar, Holocaust Survivor and educator, who passed away recently at 102 years of age.

Ted participated in 15 March of the Living programs, educating thousands of students during his trips to Poland and Israel.

Obituary

Please see moving obituary below written by Lawrence Witt, chair of the 2017 Montreal March of the Living program, the last time Ted Bolgar took part in the March of the Living

Tibor (Ted) was born in Sarospatak, Hungary in 1924. When the Nazi’s marched into his town in 1944, Ted’s life was changed forever.

Ted survived one ghetto, Auschwitz as well as four other concentration camps, forced labour and a death march. His arrival in Auschwitz marked the last time that he would see his mother and his sister.

Ted survived and rebuilt. He emigrated to Canada in 1948, married, built a beautiful family with children, grandchildren and great-children. Through his participation in the March of Living program, he “adopted” thousands of students who admired him and who continue to perpetuate his story and his legacy of courage and survival.

On the 2017 March of the Living, I was privileged to watch Ted write the final letter and complete a new Torah Scroll in the center of Szebresczyn, Poland – the Torah scroll being a testament and a tribute to the holocaust survivors who participated in the Montreal March of the Living programs since inception in 1990 and whose names adorn the Torah cover. A few years later, I was also privileged to see Ted standing at the ceremony in Auschwitz commemorating the 75th anniversary of liberation – together with his two children by his side.

Ted – rest assured that your courage, dedication and your legacy will ensure that these two sacred obligations will continue in perpetuity by your many friends and admirers whom you have touched and inspired.

Today, there is a heavenly minyan in the Synagogue of Synagogues. Mayer Schondorf, Ernest Ehrmann, Tommy Strasser, Johnny Jablon, Harry Baikowitz, Paul Herczeg, Steve Hopman, Ben Bicher and Ben Finkel [all Montreal Holocaust Survivors who travelled with Ted on the March of the Living and who have since passed away] and now our beloved Ted as the tenth. A more righteous and holy minyan there is none. Continue to intercede on our behalf from above so that we may continue your work from below.

Watch

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