Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Willie Handler. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Willie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

In November 2024, I released a memoir Out From the Shadows that covers my family’s history in the Holocaust, growing up with Holocaust survivor parents, intergenerational taruma, and the roots of antisemitism. Also in 2024, I began working on a writing project describing intergenerational trauma in children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors. I’ve now complete 97 interviews and begun the writing phase.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have reinvented himself on several occasions throughout his work career. I have been a hospital administrator, a government policy manager, an insurance expert, and consultant. Following his retirement from the government, I began a writing career. I have published three fiction novels over the past few years. My latest book is a memoir focusing on growing up as a child of Holocaust survivors.

I am active in Toronto’s Holocaust second generation and third generation survivor community, participating in educational programs, commemorative events, and group discussions. I am also a volunteer at the Toronto Holocaust Museum, where he assists students and visitors as they make their way through the museum’s gallery. I have spoken online and at in-person events on the Holocaust and his family’s experience. I am currently working on a book dealing with generational trauma in descendants of Holocaust survivors.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I sat down to write the memoir, I approached it like every other book I had written. But it didn’t work out that way. It took me on a journey that I’m still on. It was transformational. It forced me to reexamine how I felt about my parents, my relationships, my priorities in life, and how I would use my remaining time here. It was not an easy journey, but I had a lot of help along the way. My mental health declined to the extent that I sought therapy. I was able to recover and be able to actively speak about my book and he messages it contains.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I am commited to keep my parents’ stories alive and to speak up about the Holocaust and antisemitiesm.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://williehandler.com/
• Instagram: @williehandler
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094803351880
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willie-handler-70320144/
• Twitter: @WillieHandler
• Other: Substack
  https://williehandler.substack.com/