Joseph Sholtes
Yael Halevi-Wise
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.