Who are we?

EXECUTIVE

President

MARION MAYMAN was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia. In 1957 she and her husband Shlomo made aliyah to Israel, where they lived for five years. In 1986, they moved to Ottawa. She became involved in Hadassah-WIZO both locally and nationally and in 1999 was elected National President. In that capacity she sat on many national Boards including the Canada Israel Committee and Canadian Jewish Congress, as well as international Boards such as the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency for Israel.
She has also served as President of Agudath Israel Congregation, in Ottawa, President of the Agudath Israel Sisterhood, President of Ottawa JNF, and Chairperson of the Ottawa Jewish Federation's Community Relations Committee. Presently she is a member of the Va'ad Hapoel of the World Zionist Organization, Assistant Treasurer of Toronto JNF, on the Boards of the Canadian Zionist Federation, Beth Tikvah Synagogue and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) as well as Chairperson of the USCJ Israel Commission's Speakers Bureau.
Marion has also been active in the broader community. She has acted as Campaign Manager for a federal MP, as the Elections Canada Returning Officer for her constituency and as a member of the Premier's Advisory Council on Multiculturalism and Citizenship (Ontario). In 1992 she was awarded the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Confederation by the Governor General.

1st Vice President

RABBI PHILIP SCHEIM is the spiritual leader of Beth David B'nai Israel Beth Am Congregation in North York, Ontario. Having assumed the senior rabbinic post of the synagogue in August of 1984, Rabbi Scheim had come to Beth David in 1981, serving first as Assistant Rabbi under the late Rabbi Albert Pappenheim z”l.
Rabbi Scheim received his rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 1981, where he earned his M.A. in Rabbinics in 1980. His B.A. Degree in Jewish Studies was earned at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec in 1976.
Rabbi Scheim is Vice-President of Mercaz-Canada and of Masorti-Olami - the World Council of Conservative/Masorti Congregations. He serves on the Committee of Jewish Law and Standards of the Conservative Movement, on the Administrative Committee and the Executive Council of the Rabbinical Assembly, and is a member of the Chancellor's Cabinet of the Jewish Theological Seminary. He was co-editor of Megillat HaShoah, a Holocaust liturgy produced by the Rabbinical Assembly and Schechter Institute of Israel. He has served as Chairman of the Rabbinical Assembly Convention in Jerusalem, and as Chairman of the Israel Committee of the Rabbinical Assembly. He serves as a board member of several charitable and service organizations in Canada and Israel.

Treasurer

MORRIS ADAMS was born in Toronto, in 1926. He graduated as a Chartered Accountant in 1950 and is still practising today, albeit part-time. Morris was married to Ruth in 1950 and has 3 children, 7 grandchildren and is still married to Ruth. Morris is the Treasurer of Mercaz-Canada, Canadian Foundation of Masorti Judaism and Canadian Region, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. He is Past President of Ontario Region, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Adath Israel Congregation, Toronto, Jewish Immigrant Aid Services for Ontario, and the Hebrew Free Loan Association. His first visit to Israel was as part of the UJA Study Mission in 1962 and has been to Israel 6 times since then. Morris was inscribed in the Book of Life of the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto in 2004.

Immediate Past President

NORMAN STERN is the Immediate Past President of Mercaz-Canada. He is currently the President of the Canadian Zionist Federation and Chairman of the Israel Commission of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Norm serves on the Zionist General Council of the World Zionist Organization. He is the Past President of the following organizations: Metropolitan Toronto Pharmacists Association, Beth Tivkah Synagogue, in Toronto, Canadian Friends of Bar Ilan University, and Canadian Foundation For Masorti Judaism. Norm is married to Simone with the naches of five children and thirteen grandchildren.

President, Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism

RON HOFFMAN is a lawyer and businessman, currently Vice President of New Business Development at Gamma-Dynacare, a national medical diagnostic laboratory. But Ron's passion is his involvement in Jewish life in Toronto. He is currently the President of the Canadian Foundation For Masorti Judaism and immediate past President of JNF Canada. He is the Chairman of the Board of JNF Toronto and serves on JNF Canada's National Board with a responsibility for community outreach. Ron has served as Chair of the Reena Foundation, Vice President of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (Ontario Region) and Treasurer of Adath Israel Congregation and President of its Brotherhood. Ron is a recipient of the Shem Tov Award given by UJA Federation for exemplary involvement and leadership and was Toronto chair of the JNF Mega-Tour in 1990. Ron and his wife, Heather have been blessed with children, Russell and Lori, Russell's wife Amy and grandchildren, Samantha and Jake.

BOARD MEMBERS

JEAN BERNHOLTZ has been involved in fund raising since her teenage years at the Gold Star. She was one of the founders of Mercaz-Canada and continues to be a strong supporter. She has assumed many leadership roles at her synagogue, Beth David B'nai Israel Beth Am, in Toronto. Jean has sat on her synagogue Board and has served as Sisterhood Co-President and Past President of Women's League for Conservative Judaism, Canadian Seaway Branch. She is also taken part in many projects for the Canadian Zionist Federation and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

CATHERINE EPSTEIN was born in Lachine, Quebec and has lived in a number of Canadian cities including Halifax and London. She now resides in Vancouver with her husband and 3 children. Catherine was employed for ten years with the Royal Bank of Canada, specializing in the areas of Retail, Audit and Human Resources. Her numerous volunteer activities include being a member of the Canadian Hadassah-WIZO National Executive Board and serving as a National Trainer for Hadassah-WIZO. In 2005 she was the Publicity Chairperson for their National Convention.
Catherine has served as a Board Member of The Women's League of Congregation Beth Israel and Fundraising Chairperson for the synagogue. She is presently a Board member of the synagogue, serving as Chairperson of the Membership committee. She fundraises for her children's school and is also a Lab Instructor/Docent of school programs at the Vancouver Aquarium.

RABBI BARUCH FRYDMAN-KOHL has been senior rabbi of Beth Tzedec Congregation in Toronto, since 1993. In addition to his congregational responsibilities, Rabbi Frydman-Kohl has been deeply involved in work with the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto; in 2000 he was honoured by the United Jewish Communities with their Rabbinical Award. He is on the Advisory Board of the Kellogg Jewish Leadership program of Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, and the University of Toronto's Jewish Studies Advisory Committee. He is member of the Correctional Service of Canada's Interfaith Committee on Chaplaincy.
In June 1992, the Rabbi was awarded a Coolidge Fellowship by the Association for Religion and Intellectual Life to pursue research in an inter-faith community at the Episcopal Divinity School at Harvard University. In 2003, he was awarded the degree of a Doctor of Divinity (honorary) and in 2004, received his doctorate in Jewish Philosophy from the Jewish Theological Seminary. That year he also was named Senior Rabbinic Fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute of Jerusalem.
Within the Conservative Movement, Rav Baruch serves as a member of the Rabbinic Leadership Council of the Jewish Theological Seminary and the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly.
Rav Baruch and Josette are the parents of Yakov (25), Rafi (22), and Amir (19).

STEVEN GOLUBOFF was born and raised in Saskatoon, receiving his medical degree at the University of Saskatchewan and his post-graduate work in Family Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. He practiced in Northern Saskatchewan where he met his wife Leila, who is now a Remax Realtor in Saskatoon. After spending two years in Tacoma where he was faculty in the University of Washington Department of Family Medicine, they returned home to Saskatoon. Steven was President of Congregation Agudas Israel for two years, has been on its Board for twenty years and is presently the Editor of the community magazine, The Bulletin, which has won several Solomon Schechter Awards over the years. They have two daughters, Sarah who is a personal trainer and Shaina who is completing her training in Nursing at the U of S. Steven received the “We're Proud of You Award” in 2004, from Saskatoon B'nai Brith, an award which recognizes an individual in Saskatoon for exemplary volunteer work. In October of 2007, he was honoured as the Saskatchewan Family Physician of the Year by the College of Family Physicians of Canada. When he is not practicing Family Medicine and working for the Saskatoon Jewish Community, he searches for the Holy Grail of the perfect golf game.

STAN GREENSPAN was born in Trail, BC and raised in Toronto, ON. A graphic artist and internet developer, Stan graduated in the first baccalaureate class in Image Arts from Ryerson Polytechinical University in Toronto. He operates Interactivepages in Toronto and works with a large number of Jewish organizations.
Married to Vanessa and father of Nicole & Jessica, Stan has been involved in both Men’s Clubs and synagogue organization for over 30 years.
His initial involvement with Men’s Clubs came at Beth Emeth in Toronto where he was Brotherhood president, and at the Sunnybrook Hospital Jewish Chapel where he worked to form the Men’s Club and coordinated the Toronto Brotherhood Shabbat Programme for many years. He is currently a member of the Beth David B’nai Israel Beth Am Brotherhood where he is proud to be an honourary member of the executive committee.
Stan has served as an Executive member of the Great Lakes Region of the FJMC as Vice President, as President of the Ontario SubRegion and as one of the founding members of the FJMC’s Lake Ontario Region, where he was the first Nominating Chairman/Past President.
Currently the Vice President for Programming on the International Executive of the FJMC, Stan has served as FJMC Gavel Editor, the FJMC’s first Webmaster, Chairman of the World Wide Wrap, as a senior FJMC Consultant, Programme Chairman for the 2007 International Convention in Chicago and overall Chairman of the 2009 International Convention in Philadelphia. Stan travels extensively for the FJMC, leading training programs around the continent.
Stan recently earned his private pilot licenses for the USA and Canada and may be found in the air at the controls on sunny days.

PEARL GRUNDLAND is currently serving as the Executive Director of Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue in Toronto. Her previous professional positions included seven years as Executive Director of the Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University and over 20 years as an Urban Planner in a variety of capacities in the public and private sector. In the volunteer sector, Pearl served for over 20 years as a lay leader at Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue, as a member of the Synagogue's Board of Governors, in a variety of Committee chairmanships and on the Executive including as President of the Synagogue. She was actively involved on the Executive of the Canadian Friends of Tel Hashomer Hospital, Israel, and served on the Board of the UJA/Federation Kehilla Residential Services board. Her interest in Israel and Israel Affairs has been with her since birth (having been born there) and she has been to Israel numerous times with her family and on various UJA/Federation and Synagogue missions/trips.

MARVIN (MOE) HORENFELDT is a native of Toronto, and attended University of Western Ontario, the University of Toronto, and York University, Atkinson College. He has also taken post-graduate courses in Business and Management at such institutions as the Wharton School, Atkinson College, and UWO, and has lectured at Mohawk College and George Brown College.
He has been a Sales and Marketing person since 1960. Most of his sales career was with DuPont Canada. In 1990 DuPont sold the Medical Products division and Moe was “retired” and became a Realtor® specializing in Residential Real Estate, working for Century 21 Heritage Group Ltd, in their Thornhill office.
Moe is active in the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs, locally, regionally, and internationally. He is past President of Beth Tikvah Men's Club, Past President of the Ontario Sub-Region, Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs, Past Vice President of the Great Lakes Region, FJMC, currently Vice-President of the new Lake Ontario Region FJMC, and Past President of the Toronto and District Council of Jewish Men's Clubs. He has also chaired many committees at Beth Tikvah.
He is an active member of the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce, and currently serves on various R.H.C.of C. committees, as well as being a member of the Board of Directors. He is also an active Member of Rotary International.
Moe and his wife Marlene have three children.

RABBI CLAUDIO KAISER-BLUETH was born in Argentina of German parents. He studied at the University of Fine Arts, Buenos Aires, in the Dept. of History and at the Seminario Rabinico Latino Americano (The Rabbinical Seminary of the Conservative Movement in Latin America). He received Ordination in Israel in 1973 and studied Contemporary Jewish History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
His pulpits included Lima, Peru; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Puerto Rico; Los Angeles and Lakewood, California. Also taught at the University of Judaism in the Rabbinical Department, Elderhostel and Continuing Education; and lectured extensively in the USA and abroad. He was President of the Clergy Association for Westchester-Ladera Heights and the Harbor Board of Rabbis of Long Beach; and member of the Executive Committee of the Rabbinical Assembly, Western Region. He actively participated in various Rabbinical/Humanitarian missions to Cuba, performing life-cycle events for the various communities in Cuba, leading to their Aliyah to Israel.
As Director of Jewish Studies at Tarbut V'Torah Community Day School in Irvine, California, he also taught Middle and High School students. Since September 2004 he has served as Rabbi of Beth Tikvah Congregation in Richmond, B.C.
Married to Susy Kaiser-Blueth, they have 3 children: Rabbi Yoni married to Mandy parents of Zoe & Shai, Rafi and Elisheva married to Elie Engler.

NOLA LAZAR was born, raised and educated in Winnipeg, and has been an active volunteer in the local Jewish community for the past several years. She has held positions on two Synagogue boards (Beth Israel, and Congregation Etz Chayim) and served as co-chair of a branch of the National Council of Jewish Women. Passionate about increasing youth involvement in the synagogue, Nola is currently the chair of the Congregation Etz Chayim Youth Committee and oversees successful programs such as the weekly Junior Congregation, Purim Carnival, Family Fun Nights and the Tu B'Shevat Seder. Recently, Nola and her husband, Dr. Matthew Lazar, developed the annual Passover Chocolate Seder where the attendance has grown from year to year.
Trained in design, Nola expresses her love of Judaism through art in various media. Her most recent project is painting Jewish themes on silk for Tallits. Nola's four children attend the Gray Academy of Jewish Education.

DIANNE MIADOVNIK was born and educated in Toronto. She graduated from York University in 1974 with an undergraduate degree in Mathematics and then went on to pursue her post graduate degree at U of T, which she completed in 1980.
Dianne has been teaching for 31 years. She began her teaching career at Northern Secondary School where she taught Math for 20 years. After earning a degree in Special Education she continued in the same school, to teach Math and Special Ed. For the last 7 years, Dianne has concentrated on teaching Special Needs students at Drewry Secondary School.
Dianne has three children and is very proud of their accomplishments. She became a member of Beit Rayim Synagogue in 2006 and truly finds the synagogue inspirational.

RABBI LIONEL MOSES is a native of Toronto, who serves as the Rabbi of Shaare Zion Congregation in Montreal, a position he has held since 1995. Before returning to Canada, Rabbi Moses served congregations in Mamaroneck, New York, Jackson Heights (Queens), New York and in Sacramento, California. Rabbi Moses earned a BSc in Chemistry and an M.A. in Ancient Near Eastern Studies from the University of Toronto, before being ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1977. Rabbi Moses served fifteen years on the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards and currently serves as the Secretary of the Joint Beth Din of the Conservative Movement and sits on the Joint Placement Commission of the Rabbinical Assembly and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Rabbi Moses has been active in CJA Federation throughout his career and has served as President of the Montreal Board of Rabbis and as the Corresponding Secretary of the North American Board of Rabbis. He is a member of Mercaz-Canada and a long-time supporter of Mercaz-Masorti Olami activities. He is married to Dr. Joyce Rappaport and they are the parents of three sons.

IRVING (IRV) NITKIN was born and raised in Montreal, where he attended Baron Byng High School and McGill University, graduating with a B.Eng. in 1959 and an M.Eng. in 1961. In 1968, Irv and his wife Betty (Zeisler) moved to Vancouver where he continued his career as a structural engineer.
In Vancouver, they joined Congregation Beth Israel, and became active in shul activities, such as Men's Club, Women's League and a number of committees. Irv became active in JNF, CZF and the Jewish Community Centre, holding several executive positions. After serving as Chair of the Ritual Committee at Beth Israel, Irv became president in 1995. In 2004, Betty and Irv joined Congregation Har El in West Vancouver, where Irv is currently Vice-President, Ritual and Education. He is also a member of Congregation EmanuEl in Victoria, home to his grandson.
After his term as President of Beth Israel, Irv became active in USCJ Pacific Northwest Region, serving as Regional President for five years. This involved him in the Council of Regional Presidents, and led eventually to a Vice-Presidency of International USCJ, in charge of Service to Congregations. Irv retired from engineering work in 2001, and in between Board and Ritual meetings at Har El, fills his spare time with other volunteer work in the Community as well as a mainly unsuccessful attempt to learn the cello.

BRIAN SCHACHTER has spent the last twenty-five years in Management of Sales & Marketing Operations within entrepreneurial environments. He is currently the President and CEO of Counseltron which develops and imports kitchenware and home décor to major retailers.
Voluntary work has been a part of his life as well. He has chaired events including the Walk for Israel and the first ever Mall Telethon held outside of secure offices for UJA/Federation in Toronto. Brian is on the Board of his synagogue, Adath Israel Congregation, in Toronto, he is a past committee member of Community Engagement in Toronto as well as currently on the Israel and Overseas Committee for UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. He is presently the Co-Chair of Partnership 2000 Committee and is in Israel 2-3 times per year on UJA Federation work.
He is also a member of YPO - Young Presidents Organization. A global organization focused on Presidents. Brian has been married since 1985 to his wife Avrona and they share their lives with their three wonderful girls. He is still active in various competitive sporting activities.

RABBI DAVID SEED is the associate rabbi of Adath Israel Congregation in Toronto. He is currently the president of the Ontario Region of the Rabbinical Assembly, the international organization of Conservative rabbis and is active on both its Social Action Committee and Resolutions Committee. He is also the Secretary of the Toronto Board of Rabbis.
Born in New London, Connecticut, he attended the Joint Program of the Jewish Theological Seminary and Columbia University and was ordained by the Seminary in 1983. He also received his Master's in Social Work from Columbia University in 1984.
Rabbi Seed has always had an interest in social action projects and the mitzvah of gemilut chasadim, acts of loving kindness and has helped to create meaningful programs at Adath Israel. He has also been involved with interfaith activities in the community and currently sits on the board of the Christian-Jewish Dialogue of Toronto.

DAVID SEFTON was born in Berkhamsted England and immigrated to Canada in 1952. He is a Civil Engineer involved in real estate, construction and Property Management.
David is a founding member of Shaar Shalom Synagogue [1974] and presently sits on its Board of Governors. He is a Past President of Toronto Jewish Free Loan Cassa. David and his wife Marlene have two children and three grandchildren.

JACK SHINDER has been active in the Jewish community of Ottawa most of his life. From early on, he was active within the Conservative movement as a member of USY and was a camper at Camp Ramah in Canada. He attended The Jewish Theological Seminary as a graduate student, Ramah Family Camp as a young father and is the proud father of Ariel, Gideon and Jonah who have participated in so many levels of the Conservative movement as teens and young adults. His wife Yaffa, whom he met while studying at the Hebrew University, currently sits on the board as Social Action Chair at Agudath Israel. Jack is the Board Chair of the Jewish Family Services of Ottawa. His business, AMBICO Limited, manufactures doors and windows for world-wide use in the sectors of blast resistance and acoustic dampening, including the Israeli marketplace!

JUDY SILVER has a Master's in Library and Information Science degree from the University of Western Ontario (1995). She is the owner/manager of Silver Lining Information Solutions, an Internet marketing firm, which has existed since 1995. Judy has volunteered for many organizations. Over the years in Regina and Winnipeg she was an active member of her synagogue board, an ORT executive member, and Hadassah-WIZO executive member. Currently, Judy is living in London, Ontario and is involved with the Or Shalom Theatre Troupe, is on the Chevra Kadisha and is the Or Shalom Librarian. Her involvement in Hadassah-WIZO continues as Vice President of the London Council and a National Executive Board member.

HOWIE SNIDERMAN is chairman of the litigation department with the law firm Witten LLP in Edmonton, Alberta. He has served as the Chairman of Maccabi Canada-Edmonton and of Camp BB-Riback. Howie has held a variety of executive positions with the Jewish Federation of Edmonton and has represented the Jewish Federation of Edmonton on the Canadian Jewish Congress and UIA Canada. Currently, Howie serves as Immediate Past President of Beth Shalom Synagogue in Edmonton and as President Elect of the Pacific Northwest Region of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

EX OFFICIO MEMBERS

ALEXANDRA CYNGISER, past president of Beth Tzedec Congregation in Calgary, is currently the president of United Synagogue's Pacific Northwest Region. Since moving to Calgary, United Synagogue and its programs have played a large part in her life. She is a member of the United Synagogue's Council of Regional Presidents, where she also serves on the steering committee. Alexandra represents the United Synagogue's Council of Regional Presidents on USCJ's Israel Affairs Commission, and is also a member of the Commission's steering committee. Alexandra also chairs the United Synagogue's Services to Congregations committee. She is a member of the USCJ's KOACH (programs for college students) Advisory committee, as well as being a member of the USCJ's Nominating committee and USCJ's Communications committee. Alexandra is honored to be part of the Mercaz-Canada Board, and looks forward to contributing to the organization.

LEONA ELIGBERG was born, educated and lived in Montreal until June 2007. She is a retired teacher and was active at local and provincial levels of teachers unions in Quebec. She was also actively involved in the Jewish community with social action as a major focus. Leadership positions included President, Mt. Sinai Chapter, B'nai Brith Women; Chairman, League for Human Rights, Eastern Region, B'nai Brith Canada; Chairman, Business and Professional Women's Division; Federation CJA Montreal; President, Shaare Zedek Sisterhood; Chairman, Canadian Public Affairs, Women's League for Conservative Judaism; Vice-President, Women's League for Conservative Judaism; Vice-President, National Council of Jewish Women of Canada Presently , Leona is Area Director, International Northeast Region, Women's League for Conservative Judaism as well as Advocacy Chair, National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, Toronto Section.
She is also mother and mother-in law of Rabbi David Mark and Jodi Eligberg and doting grandmother of Sarah Aliza, Yonatan Efraim and Miriam Chana.

RABBI JENNIFER GORMAN, born and bred in New York, has actively been involved with the Conservative Movement for over 25 years through United Synagogue Youth, Camp Ramah, Women's League, and Schechter Schools. Ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1996, Rabbi Gorman brings a widely varying background, having worked in communities in the United States from Hawaii to New York. She is a contributor to The Women's Haftarah Commentary, and to a CD-Rom on prayer produced by the Jewish Student Union of the United States Naval Academy. Rabbi Gorman is the Director of Youth Activities for the Eastern Canada Region of United Synagogue Youth. She is married to Rabbi Sean Gorman, and the proud mother to Jesse, Gavriel, and Keren.

MIRIAM KATZ has been involved with the Edmonton Jewish community since arriving there in 1976 from Winnipeg. She and her husband were instrumental in developing a young adult chavura at Beth Shalom Synagogue and have remained actively involved. Miriam helped reorganize and revitalize the sisterhood, now called Women's League, and has held a variety of positions including President, and Women's League representative on the shul Board. This past year she organized the Women's League Shabbat and currently holds a regional position as Chair of Israel Affairs. Her other volunteer activities included being President of the Parent's Auxiliary, when her children attended Talmud Torah and as such, was a member of the Talmud Torah Board. Miriam has been actively involved with the Jewish Community Centre and Federation, both on committees and as a Board member. She has been to Israel several times, most recently as an adult March of the Living participant. Miriam remains involved with and committed to family, friends, community and Israel.

PAUL KOCHBERG is the President of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ), Canadian Region. He is also Chairman of the Council of Regional Presidents of USCJ and was formerly Chairman of the USCJ Regional Youth Commission. He is a member and past President of Shaar Shalom Synagogue, Thornhill, Ontario. Paul is a lawyer specializing in commercial and real estate transactions. He is married to Barbara, has 2 children, and is a new, very proud zaidie.

NEIL MELMAN is originally from Rochester, New York. A graduate of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University, he holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree and is a member of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects and the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects. He spent his early professional career in public and private practice in Buffalo, New York before moving to Toronto with his wife, Ellen - a native Torontonian. Neil retired after more than 36 years of public service with the City of Toronto where he was, most recently, the Urban Design manager for the Scarborough District of the City Planning division. Neil and Ellen have been active members of Adath Israel Congregation, in Toronto, for over forty years. Ellen currently serves on the Board of Directors. They are the proud parents of Rabbi Aaron Melman and his wife, Elisa and Ora Melman and Ryan Leopold. Neil and Ellen are Bubbie and Zaidy to Jordan and Hannah. Neil is the past president of the Adath Israel Brotherhood and is the current President of the Lake Ontario Region - Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs (FJMC). He also serves on the international board of directors of FJMC and was the editor of HaShofar - the FJMC electronic newsletter.

NORMA RUBIN was a founding member of Mercaz-Canada and it's second President. She worked within the Sisterhoods and Women's League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ) to recruit as many Canadian Conservative Synagogues as possible to include Mercaz-Canada check-off on their dues statements. She is a founding member of Beth David B'nai Israel Beth Am in Toronto and an active member of her own Sisterhood. Norma was Canadian Public Affairs Chair of WLCJ. Norma has her B.A. M.A and B.Ed. and taught in Toronto High Schools. She was Past National Vice President of Canadian Zionist Federation, and was active in Pioneer Women-Naamat, Hadassah-WIZO, the Toronto Jewish Film Society and the Toronto Jewish Theatre Committee. Married to Bernard, they have four children (two live in Israel), four grandsons and five granddaughters.

TRUDY SASSOON is a very active member of Shaar Shalom Sisterhood in Thornhill, Ontario. She has occupied herself with many Sisterhood projects by sitting on the Executive and Board and finally assumed the position of President. Trudy was active in the Canadian Seaway Branch of Women's League for Conservative Judaism and was the President of the region from 2006-2008.
She sits on the Board of the Toronto Jewish Book Fair, Children's section, choosing the books and booking the day schools, and others, for the scheduled programmes.
Trudy was one of WLCJ Branch Sisterhoods' Women of Achievement for the Torah Fund in November 2000. That same year, on Simchat Torah, she was honoured as Eishet Chayill by her synagogue for all she has done over the years.
Trudy and her husband, Claude, moved from Montreal in August 1977 and have a daughter, Lila.

RABBI ERWIN SCHILD is the Rabbi Emeritus of Adath Israel Congregation in Toronto, having been called to its pulpit in 1947. For many years he has pursued the creation of distinctive Canadian entities within the Conservative Movement and was involved in the creation of Mercaz-Canada, serving as its founding president. In addition he helped launch the Canadian Council for Conservative Judaism (CCCJ) and the Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism. He is the author of “World through my Window” (sermons) and “The Very Narrow Bridge” (autobiography). He is a member of the Order of Canada.

RANDY SCHWARTZ holds a Certificate in Management and has been employed full-time as an Administrative Assistant in the Infectious Diseases Department at a major Winnipeg hospital for the past 27 years. Her volunteering career has been spent within Congregation Etz Chayim (formerly Rosh Pina Synagogue) in Winnipeg. She is a Past President of Rosh Pina Sisterhood. She has served on the Executive Committee of Rosh Pina Synagogue and served as a member of the Synagogue Merger Steering Committee (merging three Winnipeg Synagogues), chairing the Catering Merger Committee, the Sisterhood Merger Committee and the Official Opening of Congregation Etz Chayim. She served on the Executive Committee of the newly formed Congregation Etz Chayim and presently chairs the Catering Committee. Sheis the Immediate Past President of Midwest Region Women’s League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ) and currently is an International Vice President of WLCJ. Randy has one son, Jory, who is an Interior Designer in New York.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MARILYN COHEN is the Executive Director of Mercaz-Canada as well as the Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism. Marilyn worked as the Alumni Co-ordinator for Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto (CHAT) and has sat on the Boards of UJA Federation Women's Division, Women's League for Conservative Judaism (Canadian Seaway Branch & International Board), and as an Executive and Board member of Beth Tikvah Synagogue. In recognition for her work at Beth Tivkah, she received a Volunteer of the Year award from the City of North York and together with her husband Bob, the Ateret Kavod Award 2002 from United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Canadian Region. Their two daughters, Naomi & Debra, are also very involved in the Jewish community.