Gary Kapelus, the son of a Holocaust survivor, has chosen to honour his late father’s memory by replicating the Auschwitz tattoo his father was forced to bear during World War II. His father, Jerry Kapelus—born Jakob Kapelusz—was a child survivor of the Holocaust, having endured the Lodz Ghetto and Auschwitz before being liberated from Buchenwald in 1945.

Jerry Kapelus and his family were confined to the Lodz Ghetto in 1940. In 1944, they were deported to Auschwitz, where his immediate and extended family were killed, while he was selected for slave labour and tattooed with the identification number B-7619 at age 15. This mark, imprinted on his left forearm, became a symbol of identity imposed by the Nazis and a lasting reminder of his experience.

For many years, Jerry Kapelus neither spoke freely about his Holocaust ordeal nor hid the tattoo they branded him with. However, in the 1980s, facing the rise of Holocaust denial, he began sharing his firsthand account publicly. Working closely with institutions such as the Toronto Holocaust Museum, he recounted his story to hundreds for over 25 years, frequently rolling up his sleeve to reveal the tattoo as proof of his survival.

After his father’s death in 2021, Gary Kapelus grappled with the idea of acquiring a similar tattoo to keep his father’s memory alive. Initially hesitant due to the painful association and the sensitive nature of Holocaust tattoos, he reconsidered following a symposium titled “Marked By Memory” hosted by the Toronto Holocaust Museum. The event featured documentary films and panel discussions on the significance of tattoos for descendants of trauma survivors, including those connected to the Holocaust and recent acts of violence.

Inspired by the symposium, Kapelus decided to get the exact replica of his father’s identification number inked on the inside of his left forearm. He sought to preserve the authenticity of the tattoo, working closely with an experienced local artist to match the font and style, including the distinctive European dash in the number.

The tattooing process was physically mild but held profound emotional weight. Kapelus reflected that any discomfort was minor compared to what his father endured at Auschwitz. After completing the tattoo, he shared a presentation about his father's story with the artist, who responded with a personal note, deepening the connection between the two.

Kapelus plans to wear the tattoo visibly during warmer months and use it as a tool to educate others about the Holocaust, continuing his father’s legacy of testimony. By publicly displaying the tattoo, he hopes to prompt questions, open dialogue, and keep the memory of his father’s experience alive in community and educational settings.