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| (From left) Steven and Doris Ramphos, who presented the film, “Life Will Smile,” in Ottawa with Steven Priovolos, the film’s producer, and their daughter, Paulina Ramphos, who was the MC for the evening. |
By
Louise Rachlis
Last February, Steven and Doris Ramphos saw the film, “Life Will Smile”
at the Greek Orthodox Church in Naples, Florida.
“Life Will Smile” is a documentary based on the true story of an entire
Jewish community of 275 surviving the Second World War, thanks to the brave
actions of the people on the Greek island of Zakynthos.
This is widely thought to be the only Jewish community in Nazi-occupied
Europe to survive the Holocaust intact, without losing a single one of its
members.
“We were so moved by this film that we were certain we wanted to share
it with our friends and family in Ottawa,” said Doris, knowing immediately that
it was something she wanted to do.
Steven Ramphos is president and founder of District Realty and he and
his wife are active supporters of many local charities including the University
of Ottawa Heart Institute and the Hellenic Community of Ottawa.
“My husband Steve and I have such a connection with the Jewish people of
Ottawa, specifically with the Shinder family. The Shinder family are our
family,” she said. “My husband Steve was originally partners with Lionel
Shinder, Jason’s late father, when they incorporated District Realty. Prior to
that, Steve worked at Regional Realty for Len Potechin and later Steve Gordon.
“He has been closely connected to the Jewish people both as friends and
in business. When we saw the movie in Naples we felt proud. We felt proud that
the Greek people assisted the Jewish people in Zakynthos, Greece.”
Immediately after she saw the movie in Florida, Doris contacted Steven
Priovolos, the film’s Los Angeles-based producer, to see if she could arrange a
screening in Ottawa in November. Not only did he agree, Priovolos said he’d
attend himself.
“His only condition when screening his movie is that no one be charged.
This made me want to screen it even more,” she said. “Steven Priovolos is an
extremely compassionate person who wanted to share this incredible story.”
On November 7, Steven and Doris Ramphos sponsored the Canadian premiere
of “Life Will Smile” at the Infinity Centre during Holocaust Education Month
and Priovolos was present for a question-and-answer session with the capacity
audience – mostly from Ottawa’s Greek and Jewish communities – following the
screening.
The event was “truly a celebration,” said Doris. “A celebration of the
close connection between our two cultures. A celebration of humanity. A
celebration of the special relationship that our two communities share.
“I was surprised by the number of people who registered to attend: 550
people,” she added. “Our event was originally planned for 200. The registration
kept increasing. It was a room full of people sharing an amazing compassionate
story. I cannot tell you how special the night was.”
Earlier in the day, explained Doris, Ambassador Dimitrios Azemopoulos of
Greece hosted “an incredible luncheon” at his residence where he honoured the
departing ambassador of Israel, Nimrod Barkan. “It was a beautiful lunch.”
The luncheon was attended, she noted, by Supreme Court Justices
Andromache Karakatsanis and Rosalie Abella; Andrea Freedman, president and CEO
of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, and Michael Polowin, chair of the
Federation; Tony Vanikiotis, president of the Hellenic Community; Father Alex
Michalopulos of the Greek Orthodox Church; Rabbi Idan Scher of Congregation
Machzikei Hadas; Rabbi Menachem Blum of Ottawa Torah Centre Chabad; and Steven
Priovolos, the producer of “Life Will Smile.”
