Myra was a speaker at Liberation75, a global conference that took place virtually on May 4-9, 2021. This is the world’s largest event to mark the 75th anniversary of liberation from the Holocaust. On May 4 she gave a presentation about her life’s work with Holocaust survivors titled, “Trauma-Informed Practice with Aging Survivors.” On May 9 she facilitated a Second Generation (2G) interactive session that was attended by 139 people. Its title was “The Vulnerabilities and Strengths We Inherited from Our Parents: A Balanced Perspective.”
Recovering from Genocidal Trauma. Dialogue for Descendants: Symposium for Children of Survivors. Neuberger Holocaust Education Week, Toronto, November 4, 2018.
Positive Aspects: Transmission of Our Parents’ Legacy. Sharing Session. Dialogue for Descendants: Symposium for Children of Survivors. Neuberger Holocaust Education Week, Toronto, November 4, 2018.
Myra presented at a Second Generation symposium at the Neuberger Holocaust Education Week, November 4, 2018. As a social worker and daughter of Auschwitz survivors, Myra talked about her family history and life’s work with Holocaust survivors. Using a strengths-based philosophy that acknowledges survivors’ internal strengths, coping abilities and achievements, despite their traumatic experiences, she has developed innovative programs that empower them to recover from genocidal trauma.
A Person-Centred Approach for Working with Aging Survivors of Genocidal Trauma: The Case of Aging Holocaust Survivors in Canada. Symposium, Diverse Stories of Marginalization and Resilience: Perspectives from Social Work. Canadian Association on Gerontology, Montreal, October 21, 2016.
Strengths-Based Approach to Working with Holocaust Survivors. Keynote address at a national conference entitled “Engaging with Aging.” Jewish Federations of Canada – UIA, Montreal, Canada, September 18-20, 2016 (invited presentation).
Specialized Services, Current Issues and A Group Trauma Recovery Model. Presentation on a panel “Working with Survivors: Past, Present and Future.” Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies (AJFCA) North American Conference, Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montreal, Quebec, May 4, 2014 (invited presentation).
Holocaust Survivors: Current and Emerging Community Issues. Presentation providing a Canadian perspective on a panel, “Sacred Trust: Help for Aging Holocaust Survivors,” at the General Assembly of United Jewish Communities, The Federations of North America, November 11-13th, 2007, Nashville, Tennessee (invited presentation).
Empowering Holocaust Survivors through Intergenerational Programming. Paper presented at an international conference, “Working with Holocaust Survivors.” Sponsored by Selfhelp in collaboration with UJA-Federation of New York and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, November 13-14th, 2006.
Maximizing Resources through Organizational Collaborations. Paper presented at an international conference for social work professionals serving the Jewish community, “Honoring Life: Working Effectively with Holocaust Survivors.” Sponsored by Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, UJA Federation of New York in coordination with the Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies and Selfhelp Community Services, March 2-3rd, 2003 (invited presentation).
A Wholistic Approach in Working with Holocaust Survivors. Presentation at the Transcending Trauma Conference, Penn Council for Relationships, A Multidisciplinary Conference on Life After the Holocaust, Har Zion Temple, Penn Valley, PA, December 2nd- 3rd, 2001 (invited presentation).
Empowering Survivors of the Holocaust. Presentation at the Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies (AJFCA) Conference, Hilton Montreal Bonaventure Hotel, May 7th, 2001 (invited presentation).
Empowerment Strategies with Elder Holocaust Survivors. Keynote address at a conference entitled “A Time to Heal: Caring for the Aging Holocaust Survivor.” Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Toronto, Canada, May 4th – 7th, 1999 (invited presentation).
The Aging of Holocaust Survivors in Canada: Implications for Service Accessibility and Adaptation. Co-presentation with Professor Shari Brotman of McGill University at the Canadian HomeCare Association Conference, Federation des CLSC du Quebec, Sheraton Centre, Montreal, December 1st, 1997.
The Aging of Holocaust Survivors in Canada: Implications for Institutional Equity and Adaptation. Co-presentation with Professor Shari Brotman of McGill University at the Canadian Ethnic Studies Association Conference, Hotel de Parc, Montreal, November 23rd, 1997.
The Healing Journey of Holocaust Survivors. Presentation at Hearts and Minds, The Argyle Conference on Human Relations, Dawson College, Montreal, November 2nd, 1996.
Institutionalizing Holocaust Remembrance and Education. Speech in the House of Commons, Parliament Hill, Ottawa. Official ceremony introducing a postage stamp commemorating the end of the Holocaust. November 9, 1995.
Working with Survivors in the Community and Agenda for the Future. Opening and closing plenary panel sessions at a pre-conference for professionals who work with Holocaust survivors at World Conference of Jewish Communal Service. Sponsored by the National Israeli Center for Psychosocial Support of Survivors of the Holocaust and the Second Generation, July 3-4, 1994, Jerusalem, Israel (invited presentation).
Understanding Aging Holocaust Survivors and Meeting the Needs and Concerns of Survivors: Creative Responses. Keynote address at a Clinic Day for professionals co-sponsored by Jewish Family Services Social Service Centre and The Administrative Committee on Staff Development, Montreal, March 4th, 1993 (invited presentation).
1942-1992… A Community Copes. Presentation to the National Association of Japanese Canadians, Quebec Chapter, on the Fourth Anniversary Celebration of Redress, Japanese Pavilion of the Botanical Garden, September 19th, 1992 (invited presentation).
Holocaust Survivors and their Families: Responding to their Needs. Keynote address and educational workshop at a conference for professionals, co-sponsored by the Holocaust Remembrance Committee and Jewish Family and Child Service, Toronto, May 20th, 1992 (invited presentation).
Establishing Trusting Relationships with Clients; Decisions, Issues and Innovative Responses Concerning Families of Survivors. Educational workshop and closing plenary address at the 1st National Conference on Identification, Treatment and Care of the Ageing Holocaust Survivor. Co-sponsored by the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center, Inc. & Southeast Florida Centre on Ageing, Florida International University, March 29-31, 1992 (invited presentation).
The Contributions of Holocaust Survivors to Jewish Communal Life. Paper presented at a program co-sponsored by the Holocaust Remembrance Committee, Canadian Jewish Congress, Quebec Region, the McGill University School of Social Work, Centre for Applied Family Studies and Montreal Second Generation, May 30, 1989, Jewish Public Library, Montreal.
A Group for Elderly Holocaust Survivors. Paper presented at the Ninth Annual Group Work Symposium at the Boston University School of Social Work, October 1987.
