Aron Heller

Finally, a book has arrived that gives these Jewish soldiers the long overdue, yet never fully recognized, respect that they so rightfully deserve. The author’s intimate journey with his Zaidy, and many others like him, carries forward a powerful message of pride and the Jewish mantra to make this world a better place for all people.

In this fascinating historical dive, Aron Heller uses his years of journalistic experience on his own family, skillfully unraveling the untold stories of Canadian boys thrown into the most horrific days of the twentieth century. Zaidy’s Band is a dramatic portrait of a dark time, and of a few ordinary men who helped save the world and didn’t want to talk about it.

Zaidy’s Band is a personal odyssey, an investigative tour de force, and a window into a vanishing era—but most of all, it’s a set of engaging and deftly told stories whose themes resonate all too clearly in today’s world.

With the skill of a journalist and the warmth of a grandson, Aron Heller has written a tender portrait of a man and his band of brothers – Jewish men who fought for the allies in World War II. For me, this book was not only an excellent history lesson but also a poignant reminder to learn from those we love while we still have them in our lives.