Elise Kayfetz has always had a passion for working with the elderly. In 2010 Kayfetz, a gerontologist, created the Yellow Rose Project to connect millennials and generation Xers with the last group of Holocaust survivors. Now, the Yellow Rose Project has just hosted its fifth annual seniors’ prom, which saw more than 450 Holocaust survivors in attendance.
The prom, which was hosted on June 18 at the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto Congregation near Bathurst Street and Clark Avenue, was a great way for survivors to connect not only with each other, but with young people who could help pass on their stories. All participants are given yellow roses.
“It started off as just a senior prom,” said Kayfetz. “Then one survivor said, ‘I used to be designated with a yellow star, and now I have a yellow rose.’”
The event helps to not only teach younger generations about the Holocaust and those affected by it, but to also preserve the stories for years to come. “We’re able to do it right now because the survivors are still here,” said Kayfetz. “We naturally foster relationships between survivors and younger adults. They’re like adopted grandparents at this point. When they pass on, they have a strong group of people who are here and who will remember them.”
Not only has the response from the survivors warmed her heart, but the young volunteers have been inspiring to Kayfetz. “I think not enough credit has been given to the volunteers,” she said. “No one gets paid, no one is an employee, not even myself. It’s very rare that an event is being put on by young professionals who want to make the time to give back.”
The event featured traditional and contemporary music, the Jewish Men’s Choir and a comedy performance. Kayfetz hopes to soon extend the event to Israel, and there are also talks of hosting one in New York.
“Every year I promise to stop, take a deep breath and look around the room and see that we’ve put that many survivors in one room with young people to gather around and celebrate,” she said. “Everyone is in that room wearing a yellow rose and not a yellow star. This is a lesson to us that we’re going to celebrate life and we’re going to get rid of hate.