In Hebrew school we were given the assignment of giving a presentation on our hero.  Most people picked people who were famous and well known- people who had done things that everyone knows and usually live far far away.My hero is from my very own neighbourhood- Georgetown, Ontario and did so many great things but came from very humble beginnings.  Morris Saxe was born near Kiev and came to Canada in 1902.  After taking a few farming courses in Guelph, he settled in Georgetown in 1916.  He started the Canadian Jewish Farm School where new immigrants were helped in establishing themselves in the new land. He became interested in helping orphans from Poland and helped bring over 79 Jewish war orphans (from World War I) to the Canadian Jewish Farm School who would have certainly faced the Nazis (in World War II).Morris Saxe was a great supporter of the ‘back to the land’ movement.  This movement means to grow food on the land for yourself and/or others.  It doesn’t have to be anything big- it could be a small tomato plant on your patio!

The Canadian Jewish Farm School supported the back to the land movement by teaching the 79 children and others how to grow their own food.

Morris Saxe was a great man who owned his own creamery in Georgetown and contributed back to his community.  When he was older he helped to found a synagogue in Toronto which is now known as Beth Tzedec Synagogue. Morris Saxe has taught me a lot of things.  He has taught me about the back to the land movement which has me more interested in farming.  He has taught me that farming makes a big impact on our community.  And he taught me to always think of others and to never stop believing in yourself.