HALIFAX — Holocaust survivor and Shoah educator Philip Riteman says he’s “deeply honoured” to have been named to the Order of Nova Scotia, his province’s highest honour.

Philip Riteman of Bedford, N.S., was recently named to the Order of Nova Scotia. Last spring, after speaking to a high school, he was presented with a plaque describing his life.  [Creative Memories® Memory Manager photo]

“You never expect this, but it’s nice to be recognized,” Riteman said. “This is a great province in which to live.”

The 84-year-old resident of Bedford, N.S., near Halifax, has devoted the last 20 years of his life to speaking with audiences, mostly youth, about his wartime experiences.

Riteman was among five people chosen for the honour this year from 79 nominations across the province. He will be recognized at Province House in Halifax at an Oct. 7 ceremony.

Riteman survived four years in the Buchenwald and Auschwitz concentration camps from 1942 to 1945, coming to Canada after World War II to develop a successful business in Newfoundland. He moved to Halifax in the 1960s.

Twenty years ago, he started speaking about the Holocaust and has since spread his message of “love thy neighbour, don’t hate him or her” to thousands and thousands of children and adults.

“I don’t hate anyone,” he tells people when asked about his feelings today. “I just want you to know you should never hate anyone the way the Jews were hated in my youth. Make sure what happened to me doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

Riteman, who spent his high school years in the camps, has received several diplomas when speaking at high school graduations. He has also received honorary degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland and St. Thomas University in Fredericton, N.B.

Two months ago, Riteman was one of four survivors to speak to a group of teachers’ at St. Thomas who were learning about the Holocaust so they could teach their students.

“There was Israel Unger [of Fredericton], Lilly Falk and Helena Jockel [both of Halifax],” said Riteman’s wife, Dorothy. “It was a very emotional and worthwhile session.”

She said of her husband, “Whoever calls him, he goes if he can. He doesn’t refuse. He’s done a lot over the years.”

After the High Holidays, Riteman will speak to eight schools in Newfoundland and at a community function that he thinks might draw more than 5,000 to a hockey arena near St. John’s.

The Order of Nova Scotia was established in June 2001 to honour people who “have made significant contributions and given outstanding service to their communities and the province.”