Zaidy's Band

This book traces journalist Aron Heller’s decade-long journey to uncover his Jewish Canadian grandfather’s World War II service, revealing the remarkable individuals and storylines he encountered along the way. In Zaidy’s Band, Aron Heller chronicles his extensivejourney with his grandfather Mickey Heller – his Zaidy – to uncover Mickey’s mysterious wartime past and the untold stories of his Jewish Canadian band of brothers. Through many trips, calls, and emails to his Zaidy, Heller uncovers dozens of previously unknown stories of lost friendships, personal tragedies, acts of heroism, and emotional reunions. These men played key roles in the defining events of their time – fighting against Nazism and contributing to the establishment of Israel. Their voices, however, are not mere relics of the past. The dilemmas they faced – faith, belonging, courage, and sacrifice – continue to resonate today. Part memoir, part historical biography, and part mystery, Zaidy’s Band reveals how even the humblest acts of World War II service shaped a generation of men and left a lasting impact on their families for years to come.