Vaughan honours Holocaust survivor and human rights champion Max Eisen with lasting legacy

In a powerful tribute to a life defined by courage, resilience and remembrance, the City of Vaughan has officially renamed York Hill District Park to Max Eisen Memorial Park, ensuring his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

Today, Mayor Steven Del Duca, Members of Council and members of the Eisen family gathered to unveil the new park name and a plaque that pays tribute to his legacy. The dedication reflects Max Eisen’s life and work as a globally respected human rights champion, Holocaust survivor, educator and author. 

The renaming of the park followed Council’s approval of a joint Members’ Resolution from Mayor Del Duca and Ward 5 Councillor Gila Martow. 

Mr. Eisen, who died at the age of 93 on July 7, 2022, survived the horrors of Auschwitz, Melk and Ebensee concentration camps during the Holocaust. He became a tireless advocate for Holocaust education, travelling across the country to share his experiences with thousands of Canadians, speaking at schools and universities, and with the media. He served as a teacher with the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies and was a dedicated contributor to the March of the Living, the Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre, and the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion. 

In 2016, Mr. Eisen published his memoir entitled By Chance Alone: A Remarkable True Story of Courage and Survival at Auschwitz, which won CBC’s Canada Reads 2019.

Mr. Eisen was honoured with the Key to the City of Vaughan and the Order of Vaughan in 2019. Since 2022, the City has proclaimed May 6 annually as Max Eisen Day to recognize his remarkable life, achievements and lasting impact on countless lives. 

Vaughan is home to one of the largest Jewish populations outside of Israel. The City is proud of its strong Jewish heritage and is committed to fostering inclusive, tolerant and welcoming neighbourhoods for all people. 

QUOTES

“Vaughan is home to an active and engaged Jewish community. It is important that we take time to recognize and reflect on the extraordinary contributions of individuals who have championed Jewish life, human rights and remembrance. Max Eisen was one of those individuals. He dedicated much of his life to educating the world on the horrors of the Holocaust and fighting against anti-Semitism, racism and bigotry. His legacy is one we cannot forget, which is why I am pleased to see this park is now dedicated in his name. I want to extend my warmest thanks to the Eisen family for their support and partnership in this dedication, allowing us to honour Max Eisen in this meaningful way. I also want to thank Ward 5 Councillor Gila Martow for collaborating with me on this Members’ Resolution to move this important initiative forward. As a community, we all share a responsibility to remember the lessons of history, to reject hatred in all its forms and to stand up against antisemitism.”

- Mayor Steven Del Duca

“Max Eisen was an incredibly special person. He was strong, resilient and became a beacon of hope and inspiration for many in Vaughan and across the country. Through his participation in the March of the Living program 18 times, including visits to Poland’s concentration camps, and by sharing his personal experiences, he left a lasting impact on generations of student participants. By dedicating this park in his honour, I hope that all who visit will be reminded of his remarkable life and enduring legacy. Thank you, Mayor Steven Del Duca, for your leadership in this meaningful dedication. To the Eisen family – thank you for your kindness, generosity, and continued support.”

- Ward 5 Councillor Gila Martow

“I would like to thank the City of Vaughan for renaming this park in honour of our dear father, grandfather and great-grandfather – Max Eisen. This dedication pays tribute to a life lived with purpose and ensures that future generations will know and remember the profound impact he made. It is our hope that Max’s courage, compassion and unwavering commitment to truth will never be forgotten, and that his story will continue to be shared for generations to come.”

- Eisen family

QUICK FACTS

• Today, the City of Vaughan officially renamed York Hill District Park (330 York Hill Blvd.) to Max Eisen Memorial Park to honour the profound legacy of Max Eisen. 
• Mayor Steven Del Duca, Members of Council and members of the Eisen family gathered to unveil the new name. The dedication reflects Max Eisen’s life and work as a globally respected human rights champion, Holocaust survivor, educator and author.
• The renaming of York Hill Park came following Council’s approval of a joint Members’ Resolution from Mayor Del Duca and Ward 5 Councillor Gila Martow.
• In 2019, Mr. Eisen was honoured with the Key to the City of Vaughan and the Order of Vaughan. Since 2022, the City has proclaimed May 6 annually as Max Eisen Day to recognize his remarkable life, achievements and lasting impact on countless lives. 

LEARN MORE

• City of Vaughan’s parks webpage
• Members’ Resolution: Dedicating Max Eisen Memorial Park (PDF)