Hershell Ezrin announces he will be leaving CIJA effective June 30th, 2010
Posted on: March 29, 2010

26 March 2010

Toronto: Hershell Ezrin, founding CEO of the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy (CIJA), announced today that he will be leaving his position, effective June 30th. “I am enormously proud of what the CIJA team has achieved in putting Canadian Jewish advocacy on a new footing, based on measured results.  But after seven years, I think this is a logical moment in the evolution of the organization to pass on the reins of leadership”.  Mr. Ezrin continued, “When I was recruited, I agreed to stay for three years but furthered my commitment after a successful independent evaluation that extended CIJA’s mandate.”

Steven Cummings, Chair of the CIJA Board, called Mr. Ezrin’s announcement “understandable but disappointing to all of us who have had the pleasure of working with him over the past seven years. He has brought a unique mix of political understanding, strategic awareness and media savvy to the advancement of our issues. Hershell Ezrin has been an exemplary ambassador for the Jewish community with the broader Canadian public”.

Brent Belzberg, past CIJA Co-Chair, stated, “I want to thank Hershell Ezrin for bringing our community’s advocacy to the level of sophistication that it currently enjoys. Our effectiveness stands today as a model commanding respect and emulation by Jewish community organizations in other countries.”

Mr. Cummings concluded, “On behalf of the Executive Committee, the Board and myself, we shall miss him greatly and wish him well.”

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For further information:
Catherine Morrow
CIJA Manager of Communications
416 925-7499 x224