TORONTO — For the sixth time in as many years, George Stern, a Hungarian-native who survived the Holocaust as a hidden child and fought in Israel’s War of Independence in 1948 before settling in Canada, is organizing a special Shabbat service at Beth Tikvah Synagogue to honour his fellow Jewish war veterans.

Stern, who strongly believes that all Jewish war veterans living in Canada should be recognized and organized, has been a volunteer and member of the Jewish War Veterans of Canada for about 13 years.

Since 2008, he has made it his mission to reach out to the hundreds of Israeli and Russian Jewish war veterans living in Canada.

Stern said that many members of the Jewish War Veterans of Canada – which, according to its website, functions as a “Jewish veterans association with all rights to operate independently, to recognize and assist the State of Israel in any way possible”– were machalniks, volunteers who fought in Israel’s War of Independence after serving in World War II.

But Stern has been working to recruit younger war veterans, Israeli-Canadians who have served in Israel’s Six Day War in 1967, or the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

Stern, who is on Beth Tikvah’s ritual committee, said since he took over organizing the Shabbat service in 2006, Canadians, Russians and Israelis have all participated.

He said in the years since he began trying to attract Israeli war veterans to join the Canadian organization, only about 25 have joined.

“But the Israelis don’t show up [to the events]. The joined and they paid their dues, but they don’t participate,” Stern said.

Still, Stern is relentless in his mission to increase the organization’s membership, which stands at about 140.

“It’s very important to honour the veterans once a year, at least, and bring them together, and to teach the younger generations about the history,” he said.

During the Nov. 10 service, the participating veterans – Stern is expecting about 50 – will march together before the service starts.

Stern will welcome the veterans and their families and Rabbi Jarrod Grover will address the gathering.

“My family will come, my six grandchildren will come,” Stern said.

“It’s important to show the younger generation, so they will not forget.”

Stern said he’s also looking forward to a vodka toast with his Russian war veteran buddies at the kiddush following the service.

The event will include an exhibit featuring pictures, articles and memorabilia supplied by the participating veterans.

Those interested in an aliyah l’Torah should contact Stern to make arrangements in advance.

The annual fee to be a member of the Jewish War Veterans of Canada is $35.

For more information or to inquire about joining, call Stern at 416-223-7481 or email [email protected].