Celebrating Jewish Heritage Month
Throughout Jewish Heritage Month, CIJA is proud to spotlight the inspiring contributions of Jewish Canadians—advocates, leaders, and activists—who are shaping the future of our community. Join us as we honour their stories, celebrate their impact, and reflect on the rich legacy of Jewish life in Canada.
Joseph Sholtes
Joseph Sholtes
Rachel Bluwstein
Joseph Sholtes is taking action today to shape a better future for our children. A Toronto educator with over 31 years in the classroom, Joseph joined UJA Federation of Greater Toronto's “Stronger Together” educators’ trip to Israel this March. Now, he’s turning those powerful experiences into action—standing up to rising antisemitism in schools, teacher unions and in his broader community.
Joseph’s Jewish Heritage Hero is Rachel Bluwstein—a trailblazer who defied the limits placed on women of her time. She wrote poetry, championed education and helped lay the foundation for the State of Israel. Her journey began in kindergarten, where she learned Hebrew from refugee Jewish classmates—planting the seeds of a lifelong legacy.
Yael Halevi-Wise
Yael Halevi-Wise
Benjamin Disraeli
Yael Halevi-Wise is a professor, literary scholar, and lifelong champion of Jewish studies. Born in Israel, she’s lived around the world and now teaches at McGill, bridging the Departments of English and Jewish Studies. She made Canada her home in 2001.
Yael’s Jewish Heritage Hero is Benjamin Disraeli, Britain’s 19th-century Prime Minister. Instead of preparing for his Bar Mitzvah, he was take to be baptized so he would have better opportunities for education and employment at a time of widespread antisemitism. Disraeli never turned his back on his roots. He spoke up on behalf of the Jewish people in the British Parliament, and in his popular novels he defended the Jewish people with courage. Disraeli could have chosen to hide his name; he could have denied his heritage—but instead, he wore it with pride.
Paula Haras
Paula Haras
Anne Frank
Paula Haras has been an educator for over 30 years. She began in private Jewish schools and now she is an educator in a public school board in Canada. After her UJA mission trip to Israel in July 2024, she felt it is critical to advocate for the Jewish community in hopes to make a difference for the next generation. She calls out lies, hate and injustice in hopes of exemplifying an educator that is never a by-stander.
Paula’s Jewish Heritage Hero is Anne Frank. She is inspired by Anne’s unrelenting hope and ability to keep a record of her experiences, which helped shape future generations’ definition of “Never forget”.
Samantha Kline
Samantha Kline
Golda Meir
Samantha Kline recently graduated from OCAD University, and is an advocate for cultural identity, inclusivity, and Jewish awareness on and off campus. Samantha works with legal organizations and advocacy groups to push for stronger protections against antisemitism, including speaking at legislative assembly downtown in support of bill 166 Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024.
Samantha’s Jewish Heritage Hero is Golda Meir. Golda’s legacy of resilience, leadership, and dedication to advocacy resonates with her and how Golda shaped the future of Israel.
Ora Bar
Ora Bar
Hannah Szenes
Ora Bar is an Israeli-Canadian graduate of Concordia University, and an advocate, bridge-builder, and storyteller. Since October 7, Ora has been at the forefront, meeting with national leaders, including then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and sharing the Jewish and Israeli experience across French and English international media such as CBC, Global News, Radio-Canada and Le Monde. Now permanently in Israel, she continues to volunteer, produce content, address diaspora challenges, and encourage Jewish youth to stand strong in their identity.
Ora’s Jewish Heritage Hero is Hannah Szenes. She was both a paratrooper and a poet who believed deeply in the enduring light of the human spirit. Hannah’s poetry and songs remind us that vision, rooted in truth and love, is one of the most powerful forces we have, and we must carry it forward so it can guide and strengthen the next generation.
Ethan Doctor
Ethan Doctor
Louis Doctor
Ethan Doctor is a student at Langara College getting a dual diploma in business management and marketing. After seeing the rampant amounts of antisemitism happening on campus, he knew something needed to be done about it. He has taken on many leadership roles and opportunities, and served on committees dedicated to combatting antisemitism.
Ethan’s Jewish Heritage Hero is his late Great Great Grandfather Louis Doctor. He was the first generation of the family to come to Canada and he became the first Rav, or Assistant Rabbi, at the first orthodox synagogue in Ottawa, called the Rito Street Shul.
Jeff Arbus
Jeff Arbus
Sammy Luftspring
Jeff Arbus is Vice-President of Ontario Public Service Employees Union (retired); Special Advisor, Canadian Jewish Labour Committee; and lay leader at Congregation Beth Jacob in Sault Ste. Marie.
Jeff’s Jewish Heritage Hero is Sammy Luftspring, the boxer, a friend of his parents, who was named to the Canadian Olympic team for the 1936 Olympics in Germany, but boycotted and went public, saying that his boycott was over the Nazis' treatment of Jews in Germany. He had been the Canadian welterweight champion and wore the Star of David on his boxing trunks.
Lindsay Gilbert
Lindsay Gilbert
Queen Esther
Lindsay Gilbert is the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor and works in the Ontario Public Service - Corrections. She serves as a steward in her local of OPSEU, on the executive of the new OPSEU Jewish Caucus, and on the steering committee of the Canadian Jewish Labour Committee.
Her Jewish Heritage Hero is Queen Esther, whose faith, bravery and ingenuity saved the Jewish people at a time of great danger.
David Rosenfeld
David Rosenfeld
David Matas
David Rosenfeld is a litigator who tackles complex cases to protect the vulnerable. David is now using his legal expertise to help the Jewish community as part of the Legal Task Force. He provides advice and representation to individuals facing antisemitism since October 7, 2023, and seeking the public disclosure of holocaust-related records held by Canada.
David’s Jewish Heritage Hero is David Matas - a Canadian lawyer, author, advocate, and educator who spent over 45 years defending human rights at home and abroad. From refugee law to international justice, his work earned him the Order of Canada. He was recently profiled as a “Justice Hunter” in both a documentary and a children’s book that highlight his relentless human rights advocacy.
Carrie Silverberg
Carrie Silverberg
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Carrie Silverberg is an ADHD Consultant and Coach and also works in public education. She is a passionate advocate who loves working to make the world a better place for everyone.
Carrie’s Jewish Heritage Hero is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. At 5 feet tall and one of the only women in world dominated by men, she was a leader and advocate, spoke her mind and promoted her belief in women’s rights and equality. She famously said, ‘Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you’.
Jillian Siskind
Jillian Siskind
Cathy Gabor
Jillian Siskind is a founding partner of Siskind Doyle LLP and a seasoned litigator with 22+ years of experience conducting prosecutions, discipline hearings and advocacy before courts and administrative tribunals. She is using her skills and expertise to help the Jewish community as part of the Legal Task Force as the co-lead of a practice group as well as representing members of the community in litigation fighting antisemitism.
Jillian’s Jewish Heritage Hero is her grandmother, Cathy Gabor (1926-2008), a survivor of Auschwitz and a fearless defender of her co-workers during the Hungarian revolution. During the month of January, she fled with her husband, their young daughter and infant son, on foot, first to Austria and eventually to Canada. She cooked like a gourmet chef, gave extremely good counsel and plenty of love to those lucky enough to be in her orbit.