Max Eisen (1929–2022) was a Holocaust survivor, entrepreneur, author, and one of Canada’s most respected Holocaust educators. After surviving Auschwitz-Birkenau, forced labor camps, and a death march during the Holocaust, he immigrated to Canada in 1949 and rebuilt his life from nothing. Settling in Toronto, he married his wife Ivy, raised a family, and established a successful business manufacturing custom vinyl products, becoming a respected businessman and community leader. 

Alongside his professional achievements, Max dedicated more than three decades to Holocaust education. He shared his testimony with thousands of students, educators, and community members across North America, becoming a powerful voice for remembrance, tolerance, and human dignity. Through speaking engagements, educational programs, and his participation in the March of the Living, he helped ensure that future generations understood both the dangers of hatred and the importance of moral courage.

In 2017, Max published his memoir, By Chance Alone, which became a national bestseller and won Canada Reads 2019, introducing his story to readers across the country. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to education, remembrance, and Canadian society, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2021. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world through his writing, testimony, and lifelong commitment to bearing witness.