Emile Scheffel – Managing director at CJPAC
Emile is an accomplished leader with extensive political experience at all levels of government in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.
A proud and steadfast ally of the Jewish community, Emile is originally from Kamloops, BC.
Nohad Mansour – Druze IDF Veteran
Nohad Mansour is a 22 year old combat veteran who served in the IDF – he is not Jewish, but an Israeli Druze, an Arab citizen of Israel, who fought in Gaza. Nohad shares his story of the Druze community, his people, and coexistence.
Din Tesler – October 7th Nova Survivor
On October 7, 2023, Din Tesler and his friend Bar Kupershtein were working as security guards at the Nova musical festival in Israel. Din recounts the story of how he was able to survive – but in the chaos was separated from his friend Bar, who has been a held as a Hamas hostage since that day.
Watch his talk at Beth Torah here.
Deputy Mayor Mike Colle
Mike Colle immigrated to Canada from his native Italy at the age of five and grew up in Downtown Toronto’s College Street area. Mike Colle went on to serve the people of Eglinton-Lawrence as a municipal councillor and local MPP for three decades.
Jaclyn Grossman
Hailed as an “exciting dramatic soprano” (Opera Canada) and for her “command over a powerful range of expressive emotion” (The Whole Note), Jaclyn Grossman is a soprano, curator, and administrator from Toronto, Canada. A proud co-founder of Likht Ensemble, Jaclyn is passionate about sharing music by Jewish composers from the Holocaust.
Ellin Bessner
Ellin Bessner is a Canadian journalist based in Toronto. She is the author of a book about Canada’s 17,00 Jewish servicemen and women who fought in the Second World War. The book is called “Double Threat: Canadian Jews, the Military, and World War II”, and was published by the University of Toronto Press (2019).
Watch her talk at Beth Torah here.
Tamara Podemski
Tamara Podemski is a Jewish Indigenous Canadian film and television actress and writer. She is known for her supporting role as Alison Trent in the television series Coroner, for which she won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021.
Kim Phuc
Kim Phuc tells a story like no other. She is the poster child of the Vietnam War, and an icon of the cry for peace. She is the unforgettable girl behind the photo – at age nine she was photographed, running naked up a road with her skin on fire and screaming in agony. She was fleeing the horrors of the Vietnam War and, luckily, she escaped her death from napalm to tell her story.
Nav Bhatia
Nav Bhatia is better known as the Superfan. He hasn’t missed a Raptors home game since they first began playing in 1995. His goal is simple; to unite people of all ages and backgrounds through the game of basketball so they don’t have to face the discrimination Nav faced over the years as a visible minority.
Adam Shoalts
Adam Shoalts is a professional adventurer and best-selling author. In 2013, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society for “extraordinary contributions to geography” and in 2017 completed a nearly 4,000 km solo journey across Canada’s Arctic.
Annamie Paul, Leader of the Green Party of Canada
Annamie Paul is a Canadian politician, activist, and lawyer. She has been the leader of the Green Party of Canada since October 3, 2020. She is the first Black Canadian and first Jewish woman to be elected leader of a major federal party in Canada. She was a candidate in the 2019 Canadian federal election. Annamie Paul has worked as an advisor at the International Criminal Court in The Hague and with various international organizations devoted to preserving human rights and fighting climate change.
Spencer West, Social Activist, Visionary & World Change Warrior
The life of visionary and activist Spencer West has been marked by both obstacles and triumph. After losing both legs from the pelvis down at the age of five, he entered a world that might have easily defeated him. Instead, he tackled challenge after challenge, learning to navigate in a world set against those with disabilities. His many accomplishments and lessons learned along the way led him to discover the techniques business leaders, professionals, educators and young people can use to redefine possible in their own lives and careers.
Tara Norton, 2018 Ultraman World Champion
Tara Norton is a former professional triathlete, NCCP multi-sport coach and mom, with a new passion for ultra-distance races. A 25-time Ironman and iron distance finisher, Tara has competed at the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii six times with a best 12th place overall finish. Tara became the Ultraman World Champion in 2018 and was also 2nd female at the 2016 Ultraman Hawaii World Championships.
Tara is also an Ambassador to the I WILL FOUNDATION, a non-profit organization that helps people overcome adversity. She is honoured to help others realize that anything is possible when you have the will and set your mind to achieve it. She is passionate about triathlon and loves to work with her athletes to help them achieve their personal goals.
Dave Meslin, Artist and organizer
Dave Meslin is a “professional rabble-rouser.” Based in Toronto, he works to make local issues engaging and even fun to get involved in. Multi-partisan and fiercely optimistic, Dave Meslin embraces ideas and projects that cut across traditional boundaries between grassroots politics, electoral politics and the arts community. In his work, in Toronto and globally, he attempts to weave elements of these communities together. (His business card reads “Dave Meslin: community choreographer,” which feels about right.)
Some of his projects include 2006’s City Idol contest, which put a sexy new face on council elections; co-editing Local Motion, a book about civic projects in Toronto; and Dandyhorse and Spacing magazines. And he’s part of the Toronto folk/indie collective Hidden Cameras, using their worldwide touring to research voting practices in the cities where they play. He recently founded the Ranked Ballot Initiative of Toronto (RaBIT).
Orlando Bowen, former CFL Player & Gamechanger
Ten years ago, Bowen thought he was about to die. Pinned to the ground and enduring a savage beating, the then-CFL linebacker had been jumped by two plainclothes police officers, an injustice which was the first of many laid against him at the hands of the police force. Later completely exonerated of any wrong-doing, Bowen—incredibly—has publicly forgiven his perpetrators and has dedicated his life to inspiring others to pursue excellence in all they do.
Bowen is the founder and Executive Director of One Voice One Team Youth Leadership, which empowers youth to utilize leadership skills and talents to better themselves and their community.
Sara Diamond, Singer/Songwriter
Sara Diamond is an astonishing and accomplished multi-talented actor, singer, songwriter, and dancer. Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1995, she has been singing since she could talk and has been dancing since she could walk. Sara began her illustrious career singing children’s songs for Montreal-based KIDZUP Records. She has since sold over 1 million albums and charted Billboard, outselling even Disney products. It quickly became evident that Sara was meant to do so much more. Sara has sung at the Windsor Hotel to welcome home the Canadian troops and in New York at the UN Ambassador of Israel’s home at an event for The March to Jerusalem. In 2013, Sara started singing for the Montreal Canadiens, performing the American and Canadian National Anthems during the 2013 season, then going on to sing the American National Anthem during the 2014 and 2015 NHL Playoffs alongside Ginette Reno.
Listen to Sara’s Performances
Eli Eli
Chamol
Hallelujah
Ethan Kleiman
Ethan Kleiman lives in Toronto and has been attending Beth Torah since he was 18 months old. From a sleeping baby, he has grown to become a member of the children’s choir, celebrate his bar mitzvah, and regularly volunteer at our events and holidays. He now has an interest in Law and Forensic Science.
Ethan also has a keen interest in beginnings: of people, laws, health issues, wars, companies—everything about the origin of a process, idea or evolution. He is humourous, sensitive and has an amazing imagination. Further, he loves being with people and has always engaged with everyone around him, whether young and old.
Listen to Ethan’s message:
Husam Wafaei, Human Rights Advocate
Husam Wafaei a Syrian Canadian. He is a graduate of the University of Manitoba and a decorated veteran of the Canadian Forces, with whom he served on a number of international campaigns that included Somalia, Bosnia, the Gulf War, the Sinai, Congo, and Rwanda.
He was also involved in various other UN and NATO operations. During the course of his military career, Husam has travelled around the globe. Although these engagements at times were perilous, Husam is a true student of human nature, and he welcomed these opportunities to observe the cultures and daily lives of people in lands near and far.
Husam spent his childhood in a country which was destabilized by various factors: the collapse of colonialism, regional politics, the Cold War, the turmoil of Middle East war, or the tension of its ever-present threat. His travel experiences have exposed him to human dilemmas in different world venues. Through his personal and professional experiences, he has seen human sufferings at different world stages, and has witnessed the profound strength of individuals to overcome seemingly impossible odds for freedom.
Husam is the founder and president of the Syrian Canadian Foundation for Humanity.
Sam Marr, Living Organ Donation
Sam Marr is a partner in the civil litigation firm Landy, Marr Kats LLP, and is certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a specialist in civil litigation. Sam is a Toronto Deputy Small Claims Court Judge and a Past President of the Toronto Lawyers Association.
Sam is the 2015 recipient of the Catzman award for professionalism and civility in the legal profession.
Since his organ transplant, Sam has spoken frequently to promote organ and tissue donation and is the Trillium Gift of Life Network 2014 award winner for championing organ donation in the legal community.
Sam was an active member of the Canadian Jewish Congress and is a former member of its Community Relations Committee. He has been married to his lovely wife Susan for 23 years and is the proud father of two fantastic sons Darren and Adam.
In celebration of Sam’s “Gift of Life”, Sam and Susan are actively involved in raising funds for liver transplant research at Toronto General Hospital. Your support can ensure that more people like Sam will in the future benefit from a life-saving transplant. Please visit www.sammarrtribute.ca to make a donation. A charitable tax receipt will be issued.
Listen to Sam’s message:
Jonathan Wolch, Why This Shul?
Jonathan grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, but has called Toronto home for more than 30 years. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a Specialist degree in Political Philosophy and later received an LL.B from Osgoode Hall Law School.
In 2010, Jonathan drew on his experiences as a corporate lawyer, corporate executive and entrepreneur/business owner, to found 366 Ventures, a boutique consultancy focused on helping entrepreneurs realize their vision.
His passion for music, vintage motorcycles – which he lovingly restores – and gathering friends and family around a table to share great food, great wine and endless laughter is complemented by his efforts to advance the art and craft of photography as a Director of the Luminous Endowment for Photographers. He has been overheard saying “I may not know what I like, but I definitely know art”.
Drew Turk, Autism Awareness
Drew Turk was born and raised in Toronto, and attends Seneca in Toronto in Radio Broadcasting. Just prior to his third birthday Drew was diagnosed as being challenged by ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, a developmental disorder that impacts an individual’s life to varying degrees.
Until high school, Drew attended the Merle L. Levine Academy in North Toronto, an academy whose program was designed for children with special needs. For high school, he attended classes at Tanenbaum CHAT, and graduated from the school in June of 2015 with an academic award, achieving an average of 80% or higher in his final year.
Drew has been a counsellor and assistant at Bayview Glen Day Camp, Camp Timberlane and Magnificent Minds Day Camp in Toronto. He enjoys video gaming and reading in his spare time, along with movies, concerts, sports and spending quality time with his dog, Dylan. He is also a schooled break dancer, a surfer when in California or Hawaii, and a snowboarder at home in Ontario when he gets the chance.
Listen to Drew’s message:
Darren Slavens, Fighting for Your Life and Wife
Darren Slavens is married with two daughters, Sabrina and Sydney. He is a partner, vice-president, and managing broker of Slavens & Associates Real Estate Inc., co-chair of JNF Future, vice-president of JNF Toronto, and a Sick Kids innovator.
Listen to Darren’s message:
Darryl Sitler, Hockey Legend
Born in Kitchener, Ontario on September 18, 1950, one of eight children in the Sittler family, Darryl became one of the star players of the Ontario Hockey Association’s London Knights. Few players in Toronto Maple Leafs history captured the imagination of hockey fans, and a place in their hearts, like number 27, Darryl Sittler. Selected as the Leafs’ first pick and eighth over-all in the 1970 Entry Draft, Sittler’s offensive exploits began to shine during his third-season in the league when he scored 77 points. At the age of 24, he became the second-youngest captain in team history.
In 1976, Sittler would achieve legendary status, not only in Toronto, but across Canada and the hockey world. It began at Maple Leaf Gardens on February 7, 1976 in a game against the Boston Bruins. While centering a line with Lanny McDonald and Errol Thompson,Sittler scored six goals and added four assists to set a NHL record – one that still stands today – for most points in a game with 10. That record-breaking moment helped Sittler become the first ever Maple Leaf to reach 100 points in a single season. Later that April, Sittler’s sensational scoring streak would continue in the Stanley Cup playoffs when he scored five goals in a single game against the Philadelphia Flyers, tying a playoff record.
Nearly five months later, on September 15, 1976, during the Canada Cup final at the famous Montreal Forum, Sittler cemented his standing in Canadian hockey lore. Taking a pass from teammate Marcel Dionne in overtime, he beat Czech goalie Vladimir Dzurilla on a partial breakaway, scoring the tournament-winning goal for Canada and securing his place as a national hockey hero.
In 1989, Sittler was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. In a touching tribute to an illustrious Maple Leaf career, he was honoured prior to a home game against the Montreal Canadiens on February 8th, 2003 at the Air Canada Centre, when the organization proudly raised a banner to the rafters with his number 27 and his name.
Today, Darryl spends time working with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Inc in areas of Corporate Partners and in community relations. He’s an active member of the Board of Directors of several publicly listed mining companies and is also very supportive of a number of charities. These charities include the Special Olympics Canada, Screen Colons Canada and Colon Cancer Canada in honor of his late wife Wendy who died from colon cancer in 2001. To relax, Darryl enjoys fishing, bike riding, golf and spending time with family and friends.
Listen to Darry’s message
Marc Keilburger
Marc Kielburger is a social entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author and gifted orator. Along with his brother, Craig, Marc is the co-founder of Free The Children, an international charity and educational partner that empowers youth to achieve their fullest potential as agents of change. He also co-founded Me to We, a pioneering social enterprise, and the youth empowerment event, We Day.
Free The Children delivers innovative programming to more than 2.3 million youth and 10,000 schools from Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. As the world’s largest youth-driven charity, the organization works in eight developing countries and has built over 650 schools and school rooms, and provided permanent sources of clean water to more than one million beneficiaries. Free The Children has a proven track record of success, having formed successful partnerships with top school boards and leading corporations—including Oprah’s Angel Network, KPMG, RBC and Microsoft.
Listen to Marc’s message
Madison Tevlin, YouTube Sensation
Listen to Madison’s message:
Troy Lebane
Listen to Troy’s message:
Dr. Rachael Turkienicz, Torah Educator at Rachael’s Centre
Dr. Rachael Turkienicz earned her Ph.D. in Talmudic and Midrashic Studies from Brandeis University and is an affiliate professor at York University. She was the host and co-producer of a weekly television series called ‘Uncommon Ground’, writes a column for the Canadian Jewish News, and is a published author both in her field of academia as well as in children’s literature. Rachael currently holds a seat with the Christian Jewish Dialogue of Toronto. She co-founded a faith-based private school in Toronto and consults with several other schools. Rachael is actively involved with teacher training and professional development. Rachael was the first recipient of the Canadian Friends of Hebrew University Person of Distinction Award in 2005 and was featured on CBC’s Tapestry Programme. Rachael is a Governor of the Canadian International Peace Project. She was the founder and director of an institute for Jewish studies, The Learning Centre, an unaffiliated educational facility. The Learning Centre was transformed, in April 2008, to Rachael’s Centre for Torah, Mussar & Ethics.
Dr. Risa Bordman, Palliative Care
Risa Bordman is a Family Physician with a special interest in Palliative Care. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto where she enjoys teaching and working on a variety of research projects.Read More
She is married to Joel Bordman and has 3 sons, Zachary, Daniel and Eli.
Guy Gavriel Kay, Award-Winning Author
Guy Gavriel Kay is the internationally bestselling author of twelve previous novels and a book of poetry. He has been awarded the International Goliardos Prize for his work in literature of the fantastic and won the World Fantasy Award for Ysabel in 2008. In 2014, he was named to the Order of Canada, the country’s highest civilian honour. His work has been translated into more than 25 languages.
Rachel Meyerowitz, Global Volunteerism
Born in New York City, Rachel has lived in Toronto since she can remember. She is an excellent student, plays competitive soccer with the North Toronto Nitros and ski races at Alpine Ski Club. She is also a fantastic older sister to Matthew, Andi and Jordan. Rachel is caring and generous, with an infectious laugh and an incredible sense of purpose. Although Rachel has reported being afraid of everything, nothing ever seems to stop her. She amazes us every day and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for this very special young lady.