Who Gets In (Paperback)

Norman Ravvin

ISBN 10: 0889779228 / ISBN 13: 9780889779228

Published by University of Regina Press, Regina, 2023

About this Item

Paperback. One man's immigration to the Canadian Prairies in the early 1930s reveals the character of Canada today as sharply as it did long ago. In 1930, a young Jewish man, Yehuda Eisenstein, arrived in Canada from Poland to escape persecution and in the hopes of starting a new life for himself and his young family. Like countless other young European men who came to Canada from "non-preferred" countries, Yehuda was only granted entry because he claimed to be single, starting his Canadian life with a lie. He trusted that his wife and children would be able to follow after he had gained legal entry and found work. For years, Yehuda was given two choices: remain in Canada alone, or return home to Poland to be with his family. Who Gets In is author Norman Ravvin's pursuit of his grandfather's first years in Canada. It is a deeply personal family memoir born from literary and archival recovery. It is also a shocking critique of Canadian immigration policies that directly challenges Canada's reputation as a tolerant, multicultural country, a criticism that extends to our present moment, as war once again continues to displace millions from their homes. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780889779228

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Who Gets In (Paperback)
• Publisher: University of Regina Press, Regina
• Publication Date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0889779228
• ISBN 13: 9780889779228
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

An eye-opening account of the Jewish immigration experience in the 1930s, and one man’s battle against anti-Semitic immigration policies.



In 1930, a young Jewish man, Yehuda Yosef Eisenstein, arrived in Canada from Poland to escape persecution and the rise of Nazism in the hopes of starting a new life for himself and his family. Like countless others who made this journey from “non-preferred” countries, Eisenstein was only granted entry because he claimed to be single, starting his new life with a lie. He trusted that his wife and children would be able to follow after he had gained legal entry and found work. For years, he was given two choices: remain in North America alone, or return home to Poland to be with his family.



Born from years of archival research, Who Gets In is author Norman Ravvin’s deeply personal family memoir, telling the story of his grandfather’s resolute struggle against xenophobic and anti-Semitic government policies. Ravvin also provides a shocking exposé of the true character of nation-building in Canada and directly challenges its reputation as a benevolent, tolerant, and multicultural country.

About the Author

Norman Ravvin is the award-winning author of The Girl Who Stole Everything, Hidden Canada: An Intimate Travelogue, and A House of Words: Jewish Writing, Identity, and Memory. Born in Calgary, he now lives in Montreal, Quebec.