After his parents were murdered in the Belżec death camp, he became the sole survivor of his entire family. Post-liberation, Henry volunteered for the Israeli Army and fought for Israel’s independence. He immigrated to Canada in 1965 with his wife Hela and their two children.
His story is one of strength and courage. His survival is nothing short of a miracle.
Henry Melnick grew up in Lodz, Poland. After the Nazis occupied the majority of Europe during World War II, he was forced to endure slave labour and was transferred among nearly a dozen different concentration camps. He emerged from the war as the sole survivor of his entire family.
Henry moved to Israel with his new wife Hela and fought for the nation's independence. Several years after his two children were born he moved to Toronto, Canada.
Henry passed away on his 91st birthday on June 25, 2013. His legacy remains in the form of By My Mother's Hand.