ORAH Summer 2025

ORAH

SURVIVING is not enough

A lifeline Of HOpe

As we write to you, the hearts of all Israelis and supporters of Israel around the world remain with the families of the hostages still held in captivity. Their absence is felt deeply, a painful reminder that the wounds of October 7 have not yet healed. Across Israel, the trauma is ongoing. Families are rebuilding, communities are grieving, and a nation is working tirelessly to recover—not only physically, but emotionally. Read our powerful cover story, about a family recovering from trauma, on page 18.

In this time of recovery and resilience, CHW’s S.O.S. –Starting Over Safely campaign, which will take place this summer, stands as a beacon of hope. This transformative crowdfunding initiative that quadruples every gift donated online, will support survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and trauma in both Israel and Canada. Your generosity ensures that women and children fleeing domestic violence can find safety, those experiencing trauma can find healing, and all can find a path forward. This campaign represents our unwavering commitment to dignity, recovery, prevention, protection, and economic empowerment. To help prevent IPV, we encourage you to tear out our centre spread (pages 28-29) and leave it somewhere public, like a coffee shop bulletin board, to help warn others about the signs of abuse.

This year, we are proud to announce Lifeline of Hope, our bold new three-year campaign to raise $3.3 million in support of physical and psychological rehabilitation in Israel. With your support, we have raised over $690,697 so far, and we are already creating real change—restoring mobility, independence, and emotional well-being to those impacted by trauma and war.

Tova Train National President

We were thrilled by the resounding success of Fashion Blooms 2025, which bloomed even brighter through our exciting new partnership with Canada Israel Fashion Week (CIFW). Together, we celebrated Israeli designers and local fashion, art and artisan creations, while raising crucial funds to support our programs. You can read about CIFW founder and CEO, Franciska Veress, on page 30.

Looking ahead, we invite you to join us in Israel for our Made in Israel trip, taking place from November 9–13, 2025. This immersive journey will highlight the resilience and innovation of Israel—giving you the chance to visit CHW projects, volunteer, and bear witness to the remarkable spirit of rebuilding. Learn more on page 38.

As a multigenerational organization, CHW remains deeply rooted in Zionism and supported by passionate individuals of all ages. Your support and engagement inspire us every single day. With each story in this issue of ORAH, we hope you discover something meaningful—something that connects you more deeply to our mission and to one another.

Together, we are not only making a difference—we are transforming lives, creating hope, and building a future worthy of the strength and spirit of the Israeli people.

If your travels take you to Israel this year, we warmly encourage you to visit our projects and see your impact firsthand.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Am Israel Chai. With gratitude,

Lisa Colt-Kotler Chief Executive Officer

Watch a video to see your impact in 2025.

Featured Supporters & Volunteers

ANNOUNCING FOUNDATION BUILDERS: A BRAND NEW LEVEL OF GIVING AT CHW

STARTING SOMETHING NEW: AN INTERVIEW WITH FRANCISKA VERESS

FROM ORA TO AURA: GENERATIONS OF CHW SUPPORT

CHW COAST TO COAST: EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS

Impact Stories

YOUR LOCAL IMPACT: FRANNY’S FUND ISRAEL IN CRISIS: HOW ALL CHW PROJECTS ARE ADDRESSING THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN ISRAEL HEALING A NATION: HADASSAH HOSPITAL’S GANDEL

REHABILITATION CENTER

BREATHING HOPE: SHAMIR MEDICAL CENTER’S HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY FOR PTSD

SURVIVING IS NOT ENOUGH: COVER STORY FROM SHAMIR MEDICAL CENTER

PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID VINOCUR IN THE PHOTO: MORAN HILA MADMONI WITH SON ISRAEL MEIR

RIDING OUT THE STORM: HAGAL SHELI’S TOOLS FROM THE WAVES

A NETWORK OF TRUST: SAFETY NET IS BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY

WHAT FREEDOM LOOKS LIKE: MICHAL SELA FORUM’S REVOLUTIONARY RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY: CHW SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS

Project Visits

VISIT ISRAEL WITH CHW NATIONAL PRESIDENT TOVA TRAIN AND CHW CEO LISA COLT-KOTLER

MADE IN ISRAEL: CHW TRIP NOVEMBER 2025

Donor Spotlights

AGRICULTURAL INNOVATIONS: THE HELEN AND SAMUEL GILLMAN GREENHOUSE AT CHW NAHALAL

FULL CHW DONOR THANK YOU LIST

PUBLISHER

Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW)

CREATIVE TEAM

Rebecca Bowslaugh, Daniel Pike

Alex Saslove-Raisbeck, Sharon Stern

CONTRIBUTORS

Alanna Elias, Jennifer Ierullo

Malka-Deena Lewis, Katia Ousovitch

Karen Rustia

NATIONAL PRESIDENT

Tova Train

IMMEDIATE PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENT

Lynn Gillman

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Stephanie Caplan

Marcia Glick

Dorothy Hanson

Jeannette Hoffman

Shanna Mittleman

Barb Rosenstein

Ariella Schachter

Linda Senzilet

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Lisa Colt-Kotler

Printed in Canada.

CHW (CANADIAN HADASSAH-WIZO) National Office 209-638A Sheppard Avenue West Toronto, ON M3H 2S1

Telephone: 416-477-5964

Toll-Free: 1-855-477-5964

Fax: 416-477-5965

Email: info@chw.ca Web: www.chw.ca

GATHeRinG sTRenGTH

A letter to Canadians from Sharon Stern, CHW Israel Director

636 days have passed since October 7th and the ensuing Iron Swords War and Operation Rising Lion. I will never be the person I was October 6, 2023. None of us will.

For more than 21 months – nearly two years - Am Yisrael has endured the unimaginable:

• Waking up Saturday morning at 6:29 a.m. to the massacre, rape, slaughter, and burning of hundreds of babies, children, mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, Holocaust survivors, founders of the country;

• Learning of the torture and captivity of 250 innocent civilians as young as 3-year-old Abigail and as old as 86-year-old Shlomo Manzour, and knowing 50 hostages remain in unfathomable conditions;

• Beholding the intense warfare in urban spaces ensnared with explosive devices in Gaza and Lebanon and bereaving the loss of 881 men and women in uniform as if I had known each one;

• Experiencing the painful loss of hostages Alon Shamriz, Yotam Haim, and Samer Talalka, and the return of the bodies of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas etched in my heart and mind;

• Enduring the continuous sound of sirens as 40,000 rockets were fired from Gaza and Lebanon, and 600 ballistic missiles launched from Iran and Yemen, running for shelter with my children while the ground shakes beneath our feet with the singular aim of killing innocent people;

• Seeing the mass destruction of homes, businesses and hospitals, and the displacement of 200,000 Israelis throughout Israel.

No one has been spared from this terror: it has been ongoing, intensifying, terrifying at times, painful throughout.

- 1,932 people have been killed.

- 28,803 people have been injured, many of whom will never fully recover.

- 3,000,000 have been traumatized and are now need professional help.

Where do we go from here? What is an entire country and people meant to do?

As I speak with survivors of October 7th, soldiers injured serving their country, doctors treating patients around-the-clock 365 days a year, Israelis who have lost everything, I am astonished by their spirit, courage, and determination. It is from them that I gather strength and optimism.

We will rise again, because that is what we do – we have no other choice. And we will do it with you by our side.

In the family shelter at 5:30 a.m., just happy to be together.

YOU HAVE A GREAT STORY

We give you a place to tell it.

Activating brands around the world or around the corner.

SUPPORT CHW

Your generosity allows Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) to support education, healthcare, and social services, benefiting women and children in Israel and in Canada. You can contribute to CHW in many ways:

• Support a campaign

• Monthly giving

• Cards and Certificates

• Join our Legacy Circle

• Support a fundraiser

• Join a chapter

• Start a chapter

• Volunteer at an event

• Host a fundraiser

• Volunteer as a canvasser

For 100+ years, CHW has been CHANGING LIVES, PROVIDING HOPE and BUILDING FUTURES.

CURRENT CHW PROJECTS IN ISRAEL

EDUCATION:

CHW Hadassim Children and Youth Village

• Lea Zev Shilman & Joseph Zunia Shilman Therapeutic Program

• Music Program

CHW Nahalal Youth Village

• The Ruth and Fredz”l Cooperstock Dairy Farm

CHW Netanya Technological High School

• Youth Mental Health

CHW Neri Bloomfield School of Design at Haifa University

• Student Scholarships

Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College (JMC)Formerly known as Hadassah Academic College

• Alanna Elias Blender Scholarship

• Max & Faye Kifer Scholarship

HEALTHCARE:

Hadassah Hospital, Mt. Scopus

• Large Hydrotherapy Pool at the Gandel Rehabilitation Center

• Psychological Rehabilitation Unit (PRU)

Shamir Medical Center

• PTSD treatment utilizing hyperbaric oxygen therapy

*If

SOCIAL SERVICES:

World WIZO

• Safety Net

• Essentials Kits

• Respite Summer Camp

Michal Sela Forum

• The Michal Sela Canines

• Michal’s Watch

HaGal Sheli

• Mental health for at-risk youth

Her Academy

• Services for at-risk women escaping prostitution

Eden Trauma Therapy Centre

• A holistic treatment center combining body and mind therapies for women and girls from the Gaza envelope

PROJECTS IN CANADA

Franny’s Fund

• Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal

Scholarships and Bursaries

• Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa

Canadian Young Judaea (CYJ) Camps & Programs

• Across Canada

Annual Holiday Toy Drive

• Calgary

THE LILLIAN FREIMAN SOCIETY

Life-long CHW supporter Irving Matlow receives his new Lillian Freiman Society Award

NEW MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENT:

Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation

Through the lasting friendships you built over the years with CHW, and our vital projects that have touched your life, we become part of your extended family. As your partner in philanthropy, CHW can help turn your vision into reality. It starts now and continues with the legacy you leave behind.

Consider a planned gift of insurance, gift in your will, establish an endowment fund; there are many options to enjoy significant tax and financial advantages while providing financial security for our projects in Israel to sustain them for generations to come. Many of our Sustainers want to ensure that their support will sustain CHW in perpetuity and they have opted to set up an endowment with us. To learn more contact alanna@montreal.chw.ca

INTRODUCING:

A NEW GIVING CATEGORY FOR ENDOWMENT FUNDS:

THE FIRST FOUNDATION BUILDERS:

Estate of Frieda Bugis z”l

Lisa Colt-Kotler

Karen K. Farkas

Estate of Rachel Lili Gerstenzang z”l

Estate of Barbara Glieberman z”l

Jeanette Hoffman

Sharon Sandler

Estate of Natalie Shaffer z”l

Linda Silverman

Tova Train

Endowment funds secure CHW’s long-term sustainability by preserving the principal and spending only the investment income—providing a dependable revenue stream for essential programs, even in economic downturns. To build this future lifeblood, we’re launching the Foundation Builders giving level for endowment support:

KEY BENEFITS:

• Steady, perpetual income for CHW projects and programs.

• Legacy-building: gifts continue supporting causes meaningful to donors, even posthumously.

• Buffer against economic strain, ensuring continuity of vital services.

FOUNDATION BUILDERS LEVEL:

• Minimum gift of CAD $25,000 (lifetime or planned) to the Endowment Fund.

• Recognition on CHW’s website and in ORAH magazine, plus an inscribed keepsake plaque.

• Membership in the Legacy Circle with major-supporter status and additional benefits.

• Donation is unrestricted and supports CHW’s commitments each year and in perpetuity.

FOUNDATION BUILDERS SPEAK UP:

“CHW has been a part of my life for decades. I am so proud of the direct impact we have made on Israelis in healthcare, education, and social services. The diaspora has always been vital to the country’s growth. October 7, 2023, and indeed just the past few months, has only reinforced why I feel compelled to contribute to the country in a lasting way. By supporting the CHW Foundation Builders and Legacy Circle initiatives I am woven into the very fabric of Israeli society. I really believe that. My investment today in an insurance policy that names CHW as the beneficiary will continue my support. I am directing the organization to endow the monies they receive so that they will have a perpetual continuation of funds through the annual interest to support the projects and programs that I recognize as vital to the country. Am Yisrael Chai!”

-TOVA TRAIN

“CHW has been part of my life for over 30 years through the CHW Toronto Lev Zahav Chapter. Though not born in Israel, I am a Zionist at heart and deeply committed to the Jewish values of tzedakah and tikkun olam. Becoming a Foundation Builder and Legacy Circle member was a natural step—I want CHW’s vital work in Israel to thrive for generations to come. That’s why I took out an insurance policy with instructions to endow the funds after my passing. The annual interest will sustain my giving in perpetuity, reflecting my lifelong dedication to CHW and the future of Israel.”

-LISA COLT-KOTLER

Thanks to your generous support, Franny’s Fund is accessible through child and youth advocacy centres across Canada. The early intervention of counselling and access to legal counsel significantly impacts the success of all participants.

LUNA, CALGARY - At Luna, Franny’s Fund supported 36 family units (46 unique individuals, 20 new families, and 16 families continuing support from last year). Those supported have been primarily child victims, caregivers, and siblings of child victims. Franny’s Fund has been instrumental in ensuring the therapeutic intervention addresses the needs of the entire family, which has resulted in more effective individual child trauma therapy. Counselling sessions/services have been provided through 23 organizations or counselling professionals for a total of 107 therapeutic sessions.

36 FAMILIES SUPPORTED

107 THERAPEUTIC SESSIONS

HOMEFRONT, CALGARY - Franny’s Fund has allowed HomeFront to reduce barriers clients face through individualized support in housing, basic needs, safety, and increased access to one-on-one counselling. Your support ensures HomeFront can continue providing clients with resources they would not otherwise have access to. Your support is essential to ensuring a life free of domestic violence for those at-risk.

HomeFront reduced the administrative and financial barriers for clients to access counselling through a new process called the Rapid Referral Process. In partnership with Integral Mental Health, HomeFront was able to provide referrals and confirm a counselling appointment within 24 hours.

10 CLiENTS RECEivED URgENT HELP THROUgH RAPiD REFERRAL

A HomeFront client and her two children were at a high-risk threat of violence. Franny’s Fund provided the necessary funds to get a security system and cameras set up in their home. They now feel confident enough to stay until the end of the school year.

THE TREEHOUSE, VANCOUVER - Franny’s Fund provides specialized trauma counselling to children and youth who have experienced abuse. These are children who would otherwise face long waitlists or would not be able to access this level of care elsewhere. Thanks to your support, Treehouse can provide long-term specialized therapy for children navigating challenging family environments, including foster care.

443 COUNSELLiNg SESSiONS

361

HOURS OF COUNSELLiNg

COUNSELLING & FAMILY SERVICES, OTTAWAFranny’s Fund supports the CFS Child & Youth Witness Support Program. Knowing what to expect and being well prepared can greatly reduce the stress of testifying in court. CFS helps prepare children for court, including court procedures, roles of court personnel, and courtroom tours, accompanies children to court, supports post-court follow-ups, and service referrals. CFS also communicates with justice personnel and provides support for parents and guardians to ensure all procedures and paperwork are understood.

77 CHiLDREN wERE PREPARED TO PROviDE TESTiMONy iN COURT

BOOST, TORONTO - Franny’s Fund supports services for families involved with a child abuse or human trafficking investigation. Boost’s Advocate will provide culturally appropriate, immediate and ongoing support, advocacy, education, court preparation, and referral services to children/youth and their (non-offending) family members using a trauma-informed and multidisciplinary approach. This approach reduces trauma and improves outcomes.

202 CLiENTS wERE SUPPORTED 75 CAREgivER SESSiONS

FONDATION

MARIE VINCENT, MONTREAL - Fondation MarieVincent provides specially tailored services, including police, medical, psychosocial, and sociolegal, to children who are victims of sexual violence, as well as their parents. Thanks to your support, 218 taxi transfers allowed 19 beneficiaries to attend their appointments. During their time at Fondation Marie-Vincent, 400 families were provided with snacks, hot drinks, hygiene items, and clothes to ensure comfort. Your support also provided answers for the 88 requests for interpreting services.

221 PARENTS RECEivED SUPPORT

359 CHiLDREN wERE SUPPORTED

wiTH SPECiALizED SERviCES

“At the beginning of my therapy at Marie-Vincent, I was “in the dark,” I wasn’t feeling well. I got help from my therapist to understand what I was going through. Now, I see color and light! Thank you so much.”

“I am capable of expressing myself, I can proudly affirm that I survived what happened to me. The actions inflicted on me do not define me as a person.”

AGRiculTuRAl InnOvATiOns

AT CHW YOUTH VILLAGES

HYDROPONIC RESEARCH

Learning about hydroponic agriculture is essential as it offers a sustainable, soil-free method of growing food that conserves water, reduces pesticide use, and maximizes yield in limited urban spaces. As cities grow and global food demands increase, hydroponics presents a vital solution to future food security and environmental challenges. CHW Hadassim will promote the study of these topics by establishing an advanced outdoor learning space, using a refurbished greenhouse supported by the generosity of George and Raizi Fleischmann.

George Fleischmann’s journey began in 1939 when his family fled a small town called Komarno, that was formerly in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, for Canada, eventually settling in Toronto. Deeply rooted in Zionist values, his parents sent him at age 13 to the Pardess-Hanna Agricultural High School in Israel, where he thrived. Those formative years shaped his lifelong passion for agriculture, leading him to earn a PhD in Plant Pathology and Genetics from the University of Toronto and to work as a scientist and government advisor, forging strong ties between Canadian and Israeli agricultural innovation. George maintained deep connections to Israel, visiting often and preserving a remarkable collection of autographs from key Israeli founders, which was displayed at the Ben-Gurion House in Tel Aviv in 2024. His legacy lives on through his daughter, Tali Baum, a dedicated CHW volunteer for over 30 years and part of a proud multi-generational CHW family whose commitment to Israel and the Jewish people continues to inspire.

The greenhouse will become a cutting-edge research hub, tailored for hydroponic cultivation through various experimental methods. Not only will classes continue throughout the year, but the greenhouse will also host workshops, tours for other schools in the region, and produce vegetables for community donations and local markets.

THE HELEN AND SAMUEL GILLMAN GREENHOUSE

Through a generous gift from Immediate Past National President Lynn Gillman and brother, Zachary Gillman, a greenhouse at CHW Nahalal will be named in memory of their late parents. The family’s generosity will help advance agricultural education and sustainability practices at the youth village.

Their gift will help provide crucial upgrades for the greenhouse, which will align educational practices with 21st century agricultural standards to monitor and adjust temperature and humidity levels. An avid gardener herself, Lynn is thrilled that her love of agriculture will inspire young minds with this beautiful gift.

Modernizing the facilities will enhance the learning experience and motivate and challenge the technologically inclined students to innovate.

IsRAel is in

Learn more about how CHW projects in Israel are supporting the mental health crisis.

Around three million Israelis—roughly 38% of the population—are experiencing PTSD, anxiety, or depression. The mental health system is overwhelmed, and only a tiny fraction (10%) of those affected are receiving help. Health officials are describing this as the greatest mental health event in Israel’s history.

CHW NAHALAL YOUTH VILLAGE

CHW Nahalal has been providing additional mental health support during the high stress times of the past 21 months, including staff and caregiver support 24/7 during attacks and shelter lockdowns, maintaining regular schedules and work in the farm and stables, and additional support for students who have been unable to see their families over the past year due to flight restrictions.

CHW HADASSIM CHILDREN & YOUTH VILLAGE

Under the shadow of war, students— especially new immigrants—face heightened anxiety and uncertainty. Hadassim’s socialwork team launched a flexible, multi-layered plan to deliver immediate emotional support, sustain therapeutic continuity, and reinforce the students’ sense of belonging:

• Emotional Support: Regular one-on-one check-ins, individual/group therapy, and medical coordination.

• Targeted Programs: Empowerment workshops, sexuality/boundaries education, and independent living preparation.

• Family & Agency Collaboration: Ongoing parent consultations, mediation, and partnerships with probation, therapy, welfare, health, and youth services.

• Staff Preparedness: Crisis-management training, real-time coaching, and emotional-distress interventions.

• Escalation Response: Immediate student/parent outreach, routine maintenance, venting sessions, host-family placements, and intensified staff mediation.

CHW NETANYA TECHNOLOGICAL HIGH SCHOOL

Netanya Technological High School is providing students with mental health consultation, treatment and guidance in individual and group settings. With CHW’s support, this program will improve the quality of care for students dealing with life’s stresses and challenges.

Program:

• Three months of weekly student and parent meetings on an individual basis or in a group setting, depending on the needs of each student.

Expected Outcomes:

• Improvement among students with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse, and ADHD.

• Increased student and parent satisfaction.

• Enhanced efficiency of care delivery.

• Improved student performance academically and socially.

HER ACADEMY

With external mental health services largely unavailable during the 12-day bombardment by Iran, Her Academy stepped up with daily check-ins, grounding conversations, and personalized outreach to each student, providing a lifeline of trust and reassurance. As stability returned, its social-work team provided professional follow-up within a holistic care model that balances crisis response with ongoing support.

• Direct Daily Communication: Grounding techniques, emotional regulation tools, and consistent reassurance.

• Post-Attack Outreach: Individual follow-up calls to ensure students feel seen, valued, and not alone.

• Holistic Care: Social Work Team provided supplemental mental health support to build community connection.

SHAMIR MEDICAL CENTER

The October 7 massacre and ensuing tragedies required the leverage of Shamir Medical Center’s groundbreaking Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for civilians contending with severe trauma. CHW’s support of the expansion of the PTSD-treatment is enabling SMC to provide comprehensive, professional, ongoing treatment tailored to each patient.

Capacity: Treats 1,000 acute, treatment-resistant PTSD patients annually.

Proven Impact: Reduces flashbacks, hypervigilance, irritability, and accelerates return to normal life.

Lifesaving Support: Funds are helping hundreds of survivors regain hope and rebuild their lives.

HAGAL SHELI

HaGal Sheli launched an emergency trauma intervention program beginning October 10 to prevent the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among affected individuals. Since the start of the war, HaGal Sheli has provided critical care to over 1,000 evacuees from the most affected communities in both the north and south, released hostages, Nova Festival survivors, active combat soldiers, and veterans.

Many trauma survivors go untreated due to eligibility restrictions and lack of funding, and long wait times (5+ months) worsen trauma, increase PTSD symptoms, anxiety, and depression and delay recovery. HaGal Sheli provides care to all survivors, regardless of government recognition, through partnerships with 260+ municipalities and top mental health organizations, providing care within an average of 30 days, with 82% of participants reporting reduced trauma symptoms.

Youth Mental Health Crisis:

• 51% of youth in trauma-affected communities drop out of school, leading to increased substance abuse, legal troubles, and avoidance behaviors.

Shaping Futures:

• 87% of HaGal Sheli alumni complete 12 years of schooling, surpassing national averages.

Investing in Prevention:

• HaGal Sheli saves the state 90% annually per participant by preventing dropout rates and reducing the long-term costs of untreated trauma.

HADASSAH HOSPITAL

Hadassah Hospital built the state-of-theart Gandel Rehabilitation Center (GRC) at Mount Scopus to meet the growing demand for advanced rehabilitative services. CHW is supporting the large hydrotherapy pool and new Psychological Rehabilitation Unit (PRU) to help victims of trauma through their long-term journey of recovery.

GRC’s Large Hydrotherapy Pool:

187.5 m² aquatic gym serving 150 patients/day (10,000 annually). Water-based therapy for pain relief, strength and mobility—non-invasive, medication-free.

Psychological Rehabilitation Unit (PRU):

Comprehensive trauma-to-disability care for conditions ranging from acute stress disorder and PTSD to depression and adaptation to living with disability. Integrated psychologist/social worker offices, family rooms, healing gardens, and a cognitive tech suite.

SAFETY NET

Safety Net’s wartime adaptation delivers trauma-informed support for women and children survivors of domestic violence by transforming existing programs into experiential healing spaces, expanding direct care to include children, and launching community-based therapeutic playgroups—all designed to address both abuse and war-related trauma.

Transforming Mother Workshops Into Therapy Sessions:

• Replaced financial, employment, and parenting lectures with trauma-responsive sessions: integrated art therapy, psychotherapy, and somatic and movement-based therapy.

Child-Centered Care:

• Elevated children to primary beneficiaries with professional therapeutic support rather than informal play and provided direct clinical services for youth alongside maternal programs.

Community Playgroups:

• Multi-age therapeutic play spaces staffed by certified play therapists in four communities, with fundraising underway for sensory-rich equipment to enhance healing.

Compounded Trauma Focus:

• Employs evidence-based, body-centered approaches to restore safety and resilience, targeting the intersection of long-standing abuse trauma and acute war-related stress.

Healing

OHADASSAH

A nATiOn

Hadassah Hospital is stepping up support and urgent care to address Israel’s mental health crisis.

ctober 7 was a mass casualty event with a profound impact on mental health on a scale unlike any Israel has known. The magnitude of the attack, with the past 21 months of conflict, continues to affect an unparalleled proportion of the country’s population; among them, the wounded, relatives of those brutally murdered or taken hostage, and entire families displaced by the terrorist incursion to their homes and intense missile attacks. The Forum for Public Psychology forecasts that three million people will need mental health treatment following this mass trauma event.

During the war, countless individuals in-need of psychological therapy were unable to access care as they were on the frontlines or focused on survival. Once the war ends and people return home, the lasting effects of trauma will become even more evident. The increasing number of people with severe trauma and/or risk of posttraumatic stress demands a specialized, professional, and rapid response.

Anticipating the imminent needs, Hadassah Hospital is expanding its mental healthcare programs, increasing staff capacity, and implementing specialized training to treat trauma patients to ensure every individual affected receives the treatment they need to heal and rebuild their lives. Hiring additional clinicians, including psychiatrists and psychologists, as well as social workers throughout the hospital, is imperative to reach the many deeply wounded people suffering from trauma and in need of mental health support.

were

perpetrated is far beyond that which the human mind can naturally bear. It is not only a threat to our own personal security, it is a threat to our sense of what it means be human.

-Dr. Shira Ben David, Director of Psychology Department, Hadassah Medical Center

Tim*, a 28-year-old police officer from Sderot, was seriously injured on October 7 while responding to the Hamas attack. En route to his station, he rescued a wounded colleague and exchanged gunfire with terrorists before being shot in the arm and leg. Despite his injuries, he drove himself to safety and was hospitalized. His right arm was shattered, and he lost feeling in his leg.

For eight months, Tim received intensive care at the Gandel Rehabilitation Center, including physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and psychological support.

Grieving the loss of close colleagues, Tim struggled with trauma, nightmares, and the challenge of adjusting to his new reality. Psychological therapy became essential to his healing, helping him process the emotional weight of the attack. He said: “Seeing the psychologist let me uncover the things I experienced back then. It let me unburden myself, and that unburdening helped me heal emotionally. We have to heal our spirit as well as our body.”

His mother, by his side daily, emphasized how crucial family and emotional support are to recovery. She said: “When I got a call from the ambulance that he was injured, I felt powerless because I couldn’t even reach him, and I knew he was alone in a hospital in pain.”

Families often remain in substantial distress, especially parents of wounded soldiers, so therapy is needed for them as well.

Tim’s story highlights not only the resilience of wounded heroes, but also the vital role that comprehensive rehabilitation and family involvement play in healing both body and spirit.

*Name changed for privacy purposes.

The spaces and layout of the Gandel Rehabilitation Center (GRC) are intentionally designed to embody the principle of holistic healing. The building’s entire layout promotes human connection and mental wellbeing because healing is a comprehensive process that extends far beyond medical treatments, encompassing emotional, social, and psychological restoration.

With CHW’s support, Hadassah Hospital will open the spaces that comprise the Psychological Rehabilitation Unit for Integrated Healing (PRU) to ensure the GRC becomes a cornerstone of resilience in supporting the people of Israel. The PRU is comprised of the following:

10 PSyCHOLOgIST OFFICES & 12 SOCIAL wORK OFFICES

The psychologists’ offices and social workers’ offices are deliberately placed in easily accessible locations near medical departments, enabling all patients, including those who are hospitalized and less mobile, to easily access comprehensive, seamless care that addresses their entire human experience.

TwO FAMILy ROOMS

Family Rooms are positioned throughout the facility, creating warm, inviting areas where patients can reconnect with loved ones, participate in group activities, and rebuild social support networks crucial to their recovery.

COgNITIvE TREATMENT ROOM

The Cognitive Treatment Room is an important component of the Occupational Therapy Department, addressing both the mind and body in the rehabilitation process. Equipped with 10 individual stations featuring the advanced RehaCom device, the room provides patients with personalized cognitive training to enhance memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. This space strengthens cognitive skills essential for daily life, combining technology and care to support holistic recovery from trauma or neurological challenges.

THERAPEUTIC gARDEN

Therapeutic Healing Gardens are integrated throughout the facility, providing patients with restorative outdoor spaces that smooth the lines between medical treatment and natural recovery. These therapeutic gardens combine exercise, cognitive stimulation, and social connection through interactive games, helping patients build motor skills, confidence, while supporting a positive, holistic recovery experience. The balance of fun, exercise, and community engagement helps reduce stress and inspire a positive outlook on recovery while restoring a sense of joy and connection to everyday life.

On BOARd

wiTH HARRy

Longtime CHW supporter Harry Lebovic has joined Hadassah International’s Board of Directors, representing Canada as an International Director.

Harry Lebovic serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Lebovic Enterprises Limited, bringing with him over four decades of unparalleled experience in the new home construction industry. His career has been marked by a steadfast dedication to making the dream of homeownership a reality for countless families, all while fostering vibrant communities built on the pillars of integrity and excellence.

Serving

on

the Hadassah

International Board is an extension of my lifelong commitment to building stronger communities — not just with bricks and mortar, but through healing, innovation, and hope.

A proud alumnus of Carleton University, Harry seamlessly blends his sharp business acumen with a profound commitment to philanthropy. He is a Trustee of The Dr. Wolf Lebovic Charitable Foundation and the CEO of The Joseph Lebovic Charitable Foundation, both of which champion impactful initiatives across a multitude of sectors, reflecting his belief in giving back to the community.

Harry’s influence extends beyond his enterprises; he holds positions on several boards, including the Board of Governors of the Royal Ontario Museum Foundation, and serves as a director for the Sinai Health Foundation, The Canadian Friends of Ezrath Nashim Herzog Hospital, The Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science the JNF Canada.

Residing in Toronto with his wife and children, Harry continues to lead with vision, generosity, and an unwavering dedication to enhancing the lives of those around him, making a lasting impact on the communities he serves.

BReATHinG

Shamir Medical Center is using groundbreaking technology and innovative techniques to heal PTSD.

After the devastating attack on October 7, 2023, thousands of lives were lost and many more were injured. In the months and years that follow, Israel is coping with a mental health crisis, with thousands of civilians experiencing post-traumatic symptoms. This crisis will have a direct impact on the country’s medical and financial systems.

Shamir Medical Center (SMC) is a leader in pressure chamber treatment with a unique multidisciplinary protocol for treating complex cases of head injuries, post-trauma, life-threatening infections, and severe limb injuries. SMC’s Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research is the world’s largest and the most advanced center for hyperbaric research and medicine. Working closely with the intensive care, orthopedics, and plastics departments, the Center’s multidisciplinary team, multidimensional capabilities, and advanced equipment allow for life-saving treatments and country-wide solutions when all other options fail.

Since the beginning of the war, over 1,100 injured have been treated at the Center for complex head, limb, and mental injuries. Among the groundbreaking protocols developed at the Sagol Center are the unique treatment of the Gaza fungus that endanger the lives of wounded soldiers, tissue and limb ischemia, crush injuries, nerve rehabilitation of limb wounds, treatment of blast injuries and hearing loss, and the treatment of severe PTSD.

THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR POST-TRAUMA

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a chronic, often treatment-resistant condition that disrupts lives across social, educational, occupational, and interpersonal domains. Recent advances in neuroscience have shown that PTSD is not solely a psychological condition; its debilitating symptoms are linked to measurable neurobiological changes in brain structure and function following severe trauma. These physical alterations in the brain help explain why many individuals do not respond to conventional treatments that rely exclusively on psychological therapies.

SMC is the world’s leader in the research and treatment of veterans suffering from PTSD. SMC’s pioneering protocol, developed by Prof. Shai Efrati, Founder and Director of the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research, and Dr. Keren Doenyas-Barak, Director of the Post Trauma Unit, combines psychological and psychiatric treatment with oxygen pressure chamber treatment implemented by a team of multidisciplinary experts dedicated entirely to the treatment of severe PTSD.

Hope

The integrated bio-psychological approach designed to repair damaged brain tissue with psychological interventions has shown to stimulate neuroplasticity, promote repair of brain microstructure and restore functional connectivity, addressing the biological brain injury that underlies chronic PTSD.

Clinical results demonstrated significant improvements in symptoms, cognitive performance, emotional regulation, and overall quality of life among veterans suffering from treatment-resistant PTSD. A follow-up study confirmed that these clinical improvements were not only robust but also enduring, persisting for more than two years posttreatment. Patients reported improved social functioning and reduced reliance on psychiatric medication.

Following this success, the Center expanded in October 2023 to treat civilians suffering from severe trauma: including communities bordering the Gaza Strip, survivors of the Nova music festival, Hosen (resilience centres), emergency medical teams, and first responders. The treatment course is comprised of 60 two-hour sessions in the hyperbaric-oxygen chamber over approximately three months (five sessions per week), in parallel with psychological support and physical rehabilitation.

This novel treatment of PTSD is not covered by state funds. Dr. Doenyas-Barak, said the whole team is grateful to CHW, who helped make this life-saving project possible. Thanks to generous supporters like you, SMC has significantly expanded its PTSD unit capacity since the atrocities of October 7, providing comprehensive, individualized treatment to 800 adult civilian patients.

Unlike physical injury, mental damage is often invisible. The response rate to most of the available treatments is low, and many of those who develop PTSD may suffer from long-lasting debilitating symptoms. We at Shamir change lives every day and the post trauma project is my life project.

Dr. Keren Doenyas-Barak

800 CiviLiAN PATiENTS TREATED

400 PATiENTS EACH DAy (DOUbLED SiNCE OCT 7)

60 TwO-HOUR HbOT SESSiONS PER PATiENT

8 HyPERbARiC OxygEN CHAMbERS

5 DAyS A wEEK

Gilad is 36 years old. He is divorced and a father of three small children. Gilad lost a leg in a previous military operation, but that did not stop him from serving in the Iron Swords war, where he was seriously injured.

Suffering from complex PTSD, Gilad is being treated with Shamir Medical Center’s HBOT. He has completed 36 of the 60 two-hour sessions in the hyperbaric oxygen chambers. After his 28th session, Gilad saw the beginning of a change.

The

chambers draw up flashbacks from my childhood, my earlier military service. It awakens the gray in my mind. Then I work with the psychologists to understand the flashbacks and work through them.

His time in the hyperbaric oxygen chambers has also almost completely healed his physical injuries from the war. After losing full hearing in his left ear, he is now beginning to hear again.

Gilad never misses a session, no matter what. He knows his PTSD will never disappear fully—it is part of him; and with the HBOT, he will be able to live with that. In addition to the HBOT five days a week, Gilad has two psychology sessions a week, physical rehabilitation sessions, and a therapy dog, Golda, who helps him when he has anxiety attacks, nightmares, or slips out of consciousness.

Surviving

Mis nOT enOuGH

OUR COVER STORY: the heartbreaking and inspiring story of a mother and her family living through trauma.

oran Hila Madmoni was born and raised in Beit Shemesh, but followed her heart 17 years ago to Sderot, the hometown of her husband. After three years of trying to get pregnant, and with the help of IVF treatment, Moran finally became a mother, first to Israel Meir, and then again three years later to Yedidiya. Along with being a loving mother, she was also passionate about her work. For years, Moran practiced NLP in a clinic treating victims of trauma, violence, and abuse, before changing fields to pursue her dream: she is studying Administration and Public Policy at Sapir College and aspires to study for a PhD in the field.

The night of October 6, 2023, Moran had a terrible feeling; she experienced her first panic attack and didn’t sleep all night. At 6:29 a.m., already awake, the sirens and rocket fire woke her husband, two sons, and parents who were visiting for the Simchat Torah holiday. They went into their shelter room where they were cut off from the rest of the world.

After a pause in the sounds of sirens, rocket fire, and gunshots, they went outside: the sky was gray from the endless rocket fire, the streets were completely empty, and all they could hear were gunshots. A veteran of the Yom Kippur war, her father immediately recognized that the gunshots being fired were from “Kalashnikovs,” or AK47 assault rifles. And they were close. Then they saw a terrorist on the neighbour’s roof. Moran would later learn that the gunshots they heard had murdered their nextdoor neighbour.

The family went back inside and locked all the doors, windows, and shutters before going back to the shelter room. For the next eight hours, they were trapped there with no communication and no knowledge of what was transpiring around them.

Once Moran’s safe space, her house turned into a kind of private hell. Moran hid her two sons in the closet under all the clothes. They urinated in bottles and put their excrement in plastic bags. Moran’s father already suffered from dementia, but now it was her mother who turned into a child, babbling incoherently. Suddenly Moran found herself the commander of this mission to care for her children and her parents, with her husband as head of security.

When it felt like things had calmed down, they sneaked out of the shelter room like thieves in their own home. They turned on the TV to find out what was happening. Witnessing all the horrors, Moran went into a psychotic fit: screaming uncontrollably and pulling out her hair, before she stopped speaking completely and fainted.

It was now Sunday. When Moran’s older son succeeded in waking her, they packed their bags and got into their car, debating whether their sons would be safer in the trunk or behind the driver and passenger seats. They decided behind the seats. The streets were eerily empty. As they were leaving Sderot, Moran saw the blood and bodies of the 12 innocent people murdered in front of the city library. Up ahead, she saw a dozen people in the street with guns. She hit the gas pedal, driving so fast she didn’t see they were Israeli soldiers closing in on the last terrorists in the city. At every turn, Moran saw pickup trucks with RPG launchers, tanks in the middle of the street, and people running. She kept driving until they reached her parents’ home in Beit Shemesh. There, she broke down.

For the next six months, Moran and her family lived in a single hotel room in Eilat. Her eldest son stutters and has developed ticks; her youngest wets his bed, has panic attacks, and suffers from recurring nightmares about Hamas terrorists coming for him. He told his psychiatrist: “I feel like my soul is in heaven and my body is here on earth.” He cannot be left alone for fear of endangering himself.

Moran’s boys were withering away before her eyes –and they weren’t the only ones. Moran would wake up screaming in the middle of the night. She would pass out from nerves and exhaustion. After a severe panic attack left Moran unconscious, her husband called the paramedics, who told them that sadly, this has become a common phenomenon. Then they asked if she would like them to take her to the hospital. Moran thought to herself, To where, the psychiatric ward? She realized she needed help. She was taken to the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at Shamir Medical Center.

Moran has completed the four-month hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) at Shamir Medical Center, comprised of 60 two-hour oxygen chamber treatments, psychology sessions, physical activity, and support from a nutritionist —a holistic treatment. As she says, “there is the Moran before, and the Moran after.”

Moran’s husband and eldest son are set to begin HBOT at Shamir Medical Center in September. Her younger son still needs psychiatric treatment before he can receive HBOT.

She refers to Prof. Shai Efrati, Director of the Sagol Center for Hyperbolic Medicine and Research, as the modernday Schindler, and Dr. Keren Doeynas-Barak, Head of the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Program, as her angel. “Everyone told me I’m a superhero. But I say each and every one of you were involved in helping me sew my cape.”

Hasidim (saintly).

You took our pain and are helping us.

Thank you, as the mother who is now able to return to her two sons. FFFFF

THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH THERAPISTS –APPROXIMATELY 8,000 CHILDREN PER THERAPIST – THERE ARE LONG WAIT TIMES FOR TREATMENT. MORAN SHARED, “FAMILIES ARE FALLING APART. COUPLES ARE DIVORCING. KIDS ARE NOT GOING TO SCHOOL. PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON.”

PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID VINOCUR

Riding

OuT

THe sTORm

HaGal Sheli’s Tools from the Waves uses surfing to fight trauma.

Since 2013, HaGal Sheli has empowered trauma survivors, at-risk youth, individuals with special needs, and veterans nationwide by utilizing surfing as a transformative and therapeutic tool, fostering personal growth, resilience, and success in overcoming life’s challenges.

After October 7, HaGal Sheli immediately expanded its surf therapy program to deliver critical support to those who need it most. Tools from the Waves draws on HaGal Sheli’s expertise in PTSD surf therapy, developed in collaboration with the Rehabilitation Department of the Ministry of Defence. The program provides support to an average of 10 participants aged 10-18, who, while deeply affected by the trauma, are often overlooked by existing support frameworks.

This trauma intervention approach incorporates surfing and sea-based activities, adopting the MSI (Muscle Structure Intervention) model for structured mental processing. The two-pronged method enables youth to process traumatic experiences constructively. Surfing immerses individuals in the present, restores a sense of control amid uncertainties, releases stress through dynamic activity, fosters vital group support, and allows for incremental victories. This approach reduces PTSD symptoms by restoring physical and emotional safety and rebuilding a sense of agency. Through a unique combination of guided reflection, bodybased practice, and nature immersion, each session offers a safe space for trauma processing and shared healing. These sessions create meaningful opportunities for participants to process their experiences while developing practical coping strategies in a supportive environment.

82% of participants decreased avoidance behaviors and substance abuse

75% experienced fewer nightmares, disturbing thoughts, and flashbacks

75% overcame trauma-induced guilt and worthlessness

CHW’s support enabled HaGal Sheli to launch one trauma therapy group as part of Tools from the Waves –Emergency Trauma Intervention Program in Bat Yam. This group serves children and youth from the extended families of hostages taken on October 7, 2023.

Most participants, aged 10-18, are nieces and nephews of individuals who were kidnapped—some of whom have since returned, while others remain in captivity. These families were displaced from communities in the Gaza Envelope and are now living in various locations around the country, as the area remains a military zone. As a result, participants travel from across Israel to attend the group’s weekly three-hour sessions in Bat Yam.

From the start, these participants displayed tremendous enthusiasm for the program, travelling long distances to join each week. Though in its early stages, the group has fostered trust, peer connection, and engagement with the sea as a therapeutic partner, offering participants a supportive community and a personalized path to healing.

Over the course of the first four sessions, all the participants demonstrated courage and determination to surf despite significant, visible anxiety. Those initially hesitant to pick up a surfboard or enter even shallow water are catching multiple consecutive waves while standing within one or two sessions—progress that typically takes ten sessions with at-risk youth groups.

Shira* is a participant of Tools from the Waves. Shira’s aunt and two cousins were killed on October 7. Her two uncles were kidnapped — one returned alive, the other was killed in captivity.

Shira was initially terrified to touch the surfboard or enter the water, she would panic and come close to tears when small foam approached. Through gradual work with instructors, she began entering the water, attempting to stand, and catching waves despite persistent fear. Shira recently stood successfully on the board and caught six consecutive waves. Notably, her fear never disappeared— she remained scared throughout, but continued returning to catch more waves, demonstrating remarkable courage.

Noa, the lead instructor explained, “They are not waiting to become unafraid— they act while afraid.” This willingness to push forward in the face of fear reflects exceptional emotional awareness, courage, and a strong internal drive to believe in themselves and feel empowered. The participants support one another during challenging moments, creating a safe space for vulnerability and connection, enabling open expression of fears and a shared drive to overcome them in the reflective components of the program.

16,000+

7,500+ TRAUMA

Noa said working at HaGal Sheli is her way to help during the war. She gives everything she has to connect with the kids and to make a difference in their lives. Working at HaGal Sheli makes her feel like she is part of something important and meaningful. “The families have embraced me with open arms. They come all the way to Bat Yam, greet me with hugs, and even invite me to family events. It’s rare to feel so appreciated and needed. Their warmth reminds me of why this work matters so much. In the end, it’s the sea that’s doing the teaching for them and for me. My role is to help them let go, to laugh, to find joy again, and to believe in themselves.”

HaGal Sheli is deeply grateful to CHW supporters like you for enabling the implementation of this vital program. Your support ensures that survivors of terror and conflict, and their families, are not left to navigate trauma alone, but are met with empathy, evidence-based care, and the unwavering support of a committed community.

*Name changed for confidentiality purposes

11 CENTRES ACROSS ISRAEL

A neTWORk Of trust

Today, Safety Net has 180 women in the program across 11 communities, with expansion underway to 13.

WIZO developed the Safety Net program in 2017 with the understanding that 40% of women who escape the cycle of violence return to it, mainly for economic reasons. Safety Net provides a comprehensive, long-term support system for women who have left violent relationships and environment with the core mission to prevent re-victimization and ensure women can build secure, independent lives for themselves and their children.

The program offers legal aid, psychosocial support, parenting workshops, economic rehabilitation, and community-based group meetings, as well as an invaluable network of staff, volunteers, and organically built communities of participants. The impact is undeniable: while 40% of post-shelter women in Israel return to abusive partners due to lack of resources, less than 10% of Safety Net participants return to abusive relationships.

Due to the the Iron Swords War and hostilities with Iran, thousands of Israeli families are living in states of acute insecurity. Among them, the most invisible and vulnerable are the women and children who already escaped the trauma of domestic violence and are now part of WIZO’s post-shelter Safety Net program.

The war has upended already fragile lives. These families are now facing a perfect storm: economic collapse, educational disruption, lack of protected spaces, and renewed threats from abusive ex-partners. Most of these women live without safe rooms, are cut off from legal and social services, and are parenting alone 24/7 in areas with daily sirens and rocket fire.

With mounting physical, financial, emotional, and psychological pressure mounting, women in Safety Net are reaching a breaking point.

A WIZO survey conducted at the end of June revealed:

35% live without secure spaces or reinforced rooms; children experience acute fear and sleep disruption.

70% of women surveyed are unemployed; 13% have frozen bank accounts and risk eviction.

82% of families require food assistance.

70% lack computers needed for their children’s remote learning.

70% have no family support at all outside of Safety Net.

Mothers are confined with children 24/7 struggling to manage fear, tantrums, trauma, regression, and more. Also, with courts barely functioning, many women cannot pursue protection orders, custody agreements, or support enforcement.

WIZO responded with emergency support webinars, parenting guidance workshops, WhatsApp-based personal contact, limited food vouchers, the hot-line, even personal visits. The support and community Safety Net provides its participants is invaluable, but the need is far greater than existing resources.

SAFETY NET IS BUILT BASED ON A NETWORK— INCLUDING STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, AND PARTICIPANTS—ORGANICALLY ALLOWING PARTICIPANTS TO BUILD CONFIDENCE AND TRUST WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Rehabilitating from intimate partner violence (IPV) takes between five to ten years. Women in the post-abusive-relationship phase have a lot of barriers, many as a direct result of the abuse. These women exhibit low self-confidence, low self-image, PTSD, depression, fear, panic attacks, distrust in people, inability to communicate, and more. In today’s business world based on relationships and networking, this poses as an extreme obstacle to overcome in order to advance professionally.

Most of the women begin the program with low academic levels, poor language proficiency, little to no computer skills, and limited technical skills as a direct result of abusive and controlling relationships.

Safety Net helps participants develop the ability to own who they are, identify a profession, set professional goals, and pursue them with the accompaniment and support of the staff and volunteers.

360 CHiLDREN 180 wOMEN

meeT BusnA

13 COMMUNiTiES

The contribution of the “Come Out” course has played a crucial role in my personal and professional journey. I am a single mother of four children, after a divorce from a violent marriage. From this painful journey, I realized I wanted and could turn my story into a mission. At Safety Net’s Employment Workshop for Independence, I was exposed to the fundamentals of starting an independent business: business model, structure, marketing, time planning, and more. But I had a deeper and more precise need to learn how to turn my personal story into a living, touching, and inspiring lecture that would reach and empower other women.

Together with the Rebecca [Safety Net staff], we selected a lecture writing course where each participant writes a full lecture that tells our story in an exciting, smart, and impactful way. With your support, I joined the course and am building my lecture with the goal of touching the hearts of women who are going through a similar reality to the one I went through, and showing them there is hope, there is a way out, and there is a life full of strength and light even after a period of darkness. Thank you—not only on my behalf, but on behalf of every woman who will one day hear my story and feel that she is not alone.

Freedom

WHAT lOOks like

MSF is helping redefine what safety and freedom can look like for women in Israel.

In a year when conflict and violence defined daily life for so many in Israel, the violence behind closed doors has only grown more dangerous. Since the outbreak of war on October 7 and the subsequent conflict on the Iranian front, the Michal Sela Forum (MSF) has witnessed a heartbreaking surge in calls to its emergency hot-line. Women in Israel are reaching out in record numbers, desperate for protection from intimate partner violence—a threat that, while quieter than missiles, is no less deadly.

This year alone, between January and June, 18 women, a child, and a baby were murdered in acts of domestic violence. That number already surpasses the total for all of 2024. Alarmingly, over a third of these murders were committed with firearms— more than double the average in recent years. The urgency of the Michal Sela Forum’s work has never been clearer.

Thanks to the unwavering generosity of donors like you, women across Israel are not alone. Over the past year, your support helped deliver real protection, in real time, to real people—many of whom are alive today because you chose to act.

One of the most moving examples comes from Debra. For more than 20 years, she endured mental, physical, and financial abuse from her husband. Though they had separated, he refused to grant her a religious divorce, continuing to exert control over every aspect of her life. Debra lived in constant fear, only leaving the house for absolute necessities. That changed the day she received a protection dog from the Michal Sela Canines program. Suddenly, for the first time in years, Debra felt safe enough to go to work, take her children to their activities, even run errands at night. Her dog went with her everywhere— providing security, companionship, and a tangible sense of freedom.

One morning, as she left for work, Debra saw her ex-husband waiting in his car. As he started to approach her, the dog stepped forward protectively. Her ex hesitated, then turned and drove away. Weeks later, he agreed to give her the divorce. In a letter to the MSF team, Debra wrote her thanks:

Over the past year, 503 women reached out to the Michal Sela Forum for immediate protection. Of these, 247 were accepted into Michal’s Watch, their flagship protection program, and three were enrolled in the exclusive Canines program. These women, like Debra, received a personalized package of tools and support—home security systems, 24/7 emergency panic buttons, legal assistance, and where necessary, a trained protection dog. Each solution was tailored to the woman’s unique situation. And in eight of these cases, this intervention directly saved lives.

Perhaps most exciting is the success of MSF’s newest innovation: Relyon AI, a voice-activated panic button app developed entirely within MSF’s tech division. This smart tool, embedded discreetly in a woman’s phone, connects instantly to a private security company. So far, it has already been used to save 20 women in real time. The fact that something developed by MSF is now in active use by women in danger is a powerful testament to the organization’s integrated and forward-thinking model—where technology, policy, and direct service come together seamlessly.

Take Eve, for example. After leaving a violent partner, she began receiving threatening messages, including photos of a rifle and bullets placed next to her home address. One day, he broke in and stole her clothes. Despite repeated violations of a restraining order, Eve was left vulnerable. When she came to MSF, she was given a mobile panic button. Though she hasn’t needed to activate it yet, she carries it with her always. “Now I feel like I have the tools to deal with whatever comes,” she said.

Another woman, Shiran, contacted MSF while living in a shelter with her teenage daughter. She had just left a 15-year abusive relationship and felt like there was no safe way to return home. But after receiving a full protection package from Michal’s Watch, including a security system and private emergency response, Shiran was able to leave the shelter and reclaim her home. Just three months later, she reported a sharp decline in threats and a new sense of control over her life.

In total, MSF’s protection programs have now supported 613 women and 2,329 children since they began. This past year also brought major institutional progress. In early 2025, MSF signed a landmark partnership with the Ministry of Welfare—a 4 million NIS matching agreement to provide protection to 600 threatened women over two years. Under this new agreement, Michal’s Watch will now be jointly operated and funded by MSF and the Ministry, ensuring even more women receive support at no cost. However, Michal Sela Canines continues to rely entirely on nongovernmental funding—your generosity remains its only lifeline.

These are not just numbers. They are women like Debra, Eve, and Shiran. Women whose lives were transformed because someone, somewhere— someone like you—believed they deserved to live in peace and dignity.

In a year that has tested us all, your compassion and commitment have been a light in the darkness. Together, we are building a safer future.

62% LESS PHySiCAL viOLENCE

72% LESS SExUAL viOLENCE

26% LESS vERbAL AbUSE

700% MORE SAFETy AT HOME

1,200% MORE SAFETy OvERALL

*Based on research conducted by the Ministry of National Security’s Chief Scientist and Mashav Applied Research Institute.

MSF IS SUPPORTED BY OUR SUMMER CAMPAIGN.

DONOR SPOTLIGHT - JEANNETTE HOFFMAN

Jeannette Hoffman, CHW Director, recently made a donation to Michal Sela Forum that will be used to purchase a Michal Sela Canine. The dog will be named after her dear friend, Elexis Schlossz”l, who passed away at the end of October. As an animal lover, Jeannette is honouring Elexis’s memory with this generous donation to save the life of another woman.

FROM THE DARKNESS INTO THE LIGHT

NEW PROJECT THIS YEAR:

EDEN TRAUMA THERAPY CENTER

Founded in 1997, they are in the heart of the peripheral communities of the Gaza Strip and the Negev settlements with the mission to develop and establish innovative programs for the treatment of girls and women dealing with post-trauma and complex post-trauma.

Since October 7, there has been an urgent need for therapeutic support for women. Untreated trauma worsens over time, affecting mental and physical health, daily life, and relationships. For women, the impact extends to their families, communities, and Israel’s social resilience. They are expanding their program to prevent long-term suffering, restore hope, and build a healthier future.

YOU CAN SAVE LIVES AND EMPOWER VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE & TRAUMA:

We strongly believe that every human being deserves to achieve their full potential, while living in safety and security. Help build futures for at-risk women and children supported through this year’s S.O.S projects:

• World WIZO

• Franny’s Fund

• Her Academy

• HaGal Sheli

• Michal Sela Forum

• Eden Trauma Therapy Center

FIVE RELATIONSHIP WARNING SIGNS

OBSESSIVENESS

Snoops on you and constantly checks your phone.

OVERREACTING

Reacts

if

TWO-FACED RELATIONSHIP

Puts on a different face in public.

GASLIGHTING

Makes you think you’re always to blame for everything.

You keep tabs on her without her knowledge

You lose control when you’re hurt

THIS ONE IS FOR MEN

How they can recognize they are abusive:

You’re often on the verge of blowing up At home, your family is afraid of you

She doesn’t understand it’s her fault

You think that you can’t live without her

THIS ONE IS FOR THOSE AROUND US

To recognize when somebody you love is being abused:

NOT LIKE IT ONCE WAS

She looks off

STANDING BETWEEN US

She is not aware that he is pushing her

QUICK PROGRESSION

She commits to the relationship surprisingly fast EXCUSES

DISTANCE

She defends him and justifies his actions

She shortens conversations and meetings SPYING ON HER

She is vigilant and stressed

Starting sOmeTHInG neW Starting

An interview with Franciska Veress, CEO and Founder of Canada Israel Fashion Week (CIFW)

CIFW began as a modest fundraiser and grew into a landmark event. Can you take us back to that first mitzvah-driven collaboration—what did you see then that led to this grand vision?

In February 2024, I produced a small fundraising fashion event for a synagogue in Vaughan, catering primarily to an Orthodox audience. After the show, a friendly stranger approached me and asked if I would consider producing a Canada Israel Fashion Week—mentioning that her son had some ideas.

Curious and always open to new opportunities, I agreed to hear him out. What he said stuck with me: “I’ve never heard of anyone arguing about politics at a fashion show. Maybe this could be a way to unite communities and create something everyone can enjoy.”

Those two simple sentences became the spark that ignited CIFW.

You describe CIFW as a celebration of beauty, diversity, and light. What did it mean to you to see so many segments of the Jewish and wider Canadian communities come together under one roof?

Over the past two years, Canada has started to feel very different from the country we once proudly called a beacon of multiculturalism—a place where people from all walks of life not only coexisted but supported one another. That reality was simply unacceptable to me.

I wanted to reclaim the spirit of our multicultural fabric, even if only for a couple of nights—and we did just that. At CIFW this April, 30% of our guests and staff came from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. We welcomed people from the fashion and film industries, the media, and communities such as Russian, Persian, and Italian. Many of our volunteers weren’t Jewish or Israeli, yet they generously gave their time to support the event. Some of our staff—also not from Jewish or Israeli backgrounds—worked tirelessly, simply because they believed in what we were creating.

Sponsors and guests joined us not because of politics, but because they were inspired by the art and beauty of the show. For many, it was simply “a beautiful fashion and art event,” and that’s exactly what I loved. That meant our light shone bright enough to reach beyond barriers. For a few incredible nights, we stood united, celebrating creativity, community, and shared humanity.

How do you see fashion as a platform for advancing cultural understanding and strengthening the bond between Canada and Israel?

Participating in a fashion week is often prohibitively expensive for designers. At CIFW, we made it a priority to keep costs minimal to none for designers. Our goal was to support the creative industries in both Canada and Israel by giving designers the opportunity to showcase their collections, gain access to professional marketing materials, and benefit from the buzz we generated through strategic media and promotional campaigns.

Fashion and art are universal languages—powerful tools that bring people together across cultural and political boundaries.

Was there a specific moment or inspiration that convinced you this initiative could be more than just a fashion event—that it could also serve a greater cause?

From day one, I knew I wouldn’t produce CIFW if it were just another fashion show. I’ve been in the industry for 23 years, involved in some of the city’s most high-profile events, and I wasn’t interested in creating just another fashion event. I’ve been there, done that.

For me, CIFW had to stand for something—it needed a deeper purpose. More than fashion, CIFW was about bringing communities together and making a meaningful impact. That was the heart of the entire project.

Fashion often reflects society. What story do you believe Israeli fashion tells right now—and why is it important to bring that story to Canadian audiences?

Israeli fashion is incredibly diverse and sophisticated; there is room for anything artists dream up and is welcomed with an open mind. It is truly a reflection of Israeli society.

Israeli fashion encourages us to think beyond the conventional—to blend traditional elements with edgy, modern pieces, and to embrace styles that highlight our individuality. What’s also remarkable is how seamlessly Israeli designers integrate cutting-edge technology, like 3D-printed garments and virtual fitting rooms. This fusion of innovation and design represents the future of fashion—it’s a pioneering movement that’s reshaping the industry. Israeli designers bring a unique perspective that I believe is truly inspirational for North American audiences.

An incredible $300,000 was raised through CHW FASHION BLOOMS Gala to support urgent PTSD treatment. What does it mean to you personally to see fashion and philanthropy intersect so powerfully?

This truly is a dream come true. I’ve spent many years in the fashion industry— as a designer, and with 17 years dedicated to high-end runway show production. I’ve worked with a wide range of brands, from mainstream to luxury—even military tactical gear. I’ve been completely immersed in the fashion scene. But despite all that, I felt that something was missing. I’ve always had the desire to make a real impact in the world, and partnering with CHW has finally given me that opportunity. This goes far beyond fashion—it’s meaningful, and it’s making a difference where it matters most.

Why did you choose to partner with CHW for CIFW’s charitable mission?

First and foremost, I truly believe in the causes CHW supports—each one is meaningful and has a significant impact. This year in particular, I felt that supporting PTSD treatment for Israelis was one of the most critical causes out there. Secondly, I absolutely love working with CHW because the team is professional and deeply accountable for every donor dollar raised. It’s so important for donors to know their contributions are genuinely making a difference and creating impact. I have the utmost respect for CHW.

Putting together a week-long event of this scale with over 200 staff and volunteers must have come with immense challenges. What kept you grounded through the process?

The higher purpose. That we HAD to do this and do it successfully, so we can start changing the narrative and spread positivity instead of the current rhetoric.

CIFW was positioned as “THE fashion event of the season.” What moment during the week felt like a true affirmation of that success for you?

At our inaugural event, two out of three shows were completely sold out. Seeing the bustling marketplace and the entire production come together was a powerful moment. Right now, Canada lacks a high-end fashion week that truly unites people—one that showcases international designers, attracts the right influencers, and brings in top-tier media. We’re changing that.

What are some unseen moments—quiet victories—that made you most proud during the first CIFW?

I was truly moved when I realized how many of our team members were such strong allies, all focused on contributing their best to support our vision. Our core team was just four people, and we volunteered almost the entire year to bring this event to life. Seeing the joy on the faces of these incredible women when we finally pulled it off was unforgettable. And then there were the moments when models were sprinting from backstage to the runway—so much adrenaline! I was incredibly proud of our backstage team for pulling off such a complex and demanding show.

You’ve announced CIFW 2026. What can we expect next?

We haven’t made an official announcement yet, so I’ll keep the details under wraps for now—but here’s a hint: we’ll be showcasing in two cities, Montreal and Toronto, in the fall of 2026.

CIFW isn’t just an event—it’s a platform, a voice, and a statement. What legacy do you hope it leaves behind, both for future creatives and for your community?

CIFW was created to be a voice for unity and a statement of resilience and creativity. I hope its legacy is one of meaningful connection: a space where fashion, art, and culture transcend differences to bring people together.

For future creatives, I want CIFW to stand as proof that fashion can be more than beautiful—it can be purposeful. That talent can be used not only to build careers, but to inspire change, give back, and elevate important causes.

FASHION BLOOMs

A massive THANK YOU to all of our sponsors, donors, designers, community runway models, participants, and volunteers for supporting Fashion Blooms 2025.

The event successfully raised $300,000 to support critical mental health and rehabilitation in Israel, funding programs at Hadassah Hospital and specialized PTSD treatment at Shamir Medical Center. The funds will also benefit Canadian Young Judaea’s JOLT program, providing leadership training for at-risk teens.

I hope CIFW is remembered as a moment when people from different backgrounds stood side by side in celebration, and when Israeli and Canadian creativity were celebrated boldly. My deepest hope is that this platform continues to grow, continues to help designers reach new markets, continues to amplify underrepresented voices, reminding everyone that unity and philanthropy through beauty is always possible.

How can others who share your passion for Israel, creativity, and healing get involved in the work you’ve begun?

As CIFW continues to grow, so does our need for support— whether financial or in any form that individuals or companies are able to contribute. To bring these events to life, we rely on both in-kind and monetary sponsorships and donations from

Click to see the photo album.

Click to see a highlight reel.

Leila Lax, Nicole Lax, and Esti Lax

Tzedakah Chapter Members

Sherri Pinsler Lieberman

Susan Rose and Shanna Mittleman

Irene Kurtz

Shelley Fine

fROm TO

Ora Aura

From Ora Chapter to Aura Chapter, the Lindzon family shares their passion for CHW through the generations.

By Brooke Halberstadt

My grandmother, Phyllis Flatt, was a proud member of the Ora Chapter for nearly 60 years. I grew up hearing stories about the creative fundraising initiatives they organized—everything from salad bars and waffle and ice cream stations at the Hadassah Bazaar, to keychain-making workshops that took place around her dining room table. Through it all, she formed deep friendships and helped raise significant funds for CHW. Remarkably, many of those women still meet a few times a year to stay connected.

CHW has always been a familiar presence in my life. I started out as a volunteer and later attended numerous At Our Table events hosted by my mother’s CHW Toronto Tzedakah Chapter. I saw firsthand the dedication both my mother, Susan Lindzon, and grandmother had for the organization, and how much they gained from their involvement—the skills they developed, the friendships they made, and the pride they took in giving back.

So, when I heard that a new chapter was being formed—bringing together daughters and friends of the Tzedakah Chapter—I knew it was the right time to get involved. I was ready to do something meaningful, to support those in Israel facing real challenges, and to continue the legacy that had inspired me from the beginning. CHW was the natural place to start my own journey in Jewish community and philanthropy.

•

•

•

•

•

Fiera Capital Private Wealth counsels wealthy Canadians and their families, as well as endowments and foundations. We provide customized investment solutions designed to meet your goals and objectives.

Contact: Joshua Mosko, MBA, CIM Senior Investment Counsellor, Private Wealth

jmosko@fieracapital.com pw.fieracapital.com

support

A liTTle GOes A lOnG WAy

CHW scholarships open the door to opportunity, ease financial burdens, and empower students to focus on learning, grow with confidence, and pursue their dreams without limitation.

NERI BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL OF DESIGN

The Eldee Foundation Scholarship Recipient

My name is *Shira, I am 23 years old, and I am from Haifa. I am a third-year student at the Faculty of Design at the University of Haifa, majoring in Visual Communication. Today, I received an exciting notification informing me that I have been awarded a scholarship of excellence from CHW.

First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude. I have been in a complex situation for several years. My mother is the sole provider at home due to my father’s condition; he is a disabled veteran with PTSD, recognized by National Insurance. I also have a younger brother. To help my family, I have been working since I was 14, but due to the situation over the last year, my employer had to let me go. For the first time in my life, I am not working.

Despite facing numerous difficulties in middle school, such as ADHD issues and dyscalculia, along with a lack of belief from teachers that I would succeed in high school, I decided to strive for change. I took matters into my own hands for a different future, the realization of my dreams, and success. I graduated with both social and academic excellence!

I chose the visual communications field because I first encountered it in middle school, and from the moment I did, I had a spark in my eyes and an intense passion that has accompanied me to this day. My dream was to receive this scholarship, to prove and show that even when faced with difficulties, it doesn’t matter what others say about you – success is possible, and it can be great. This scholarship will lift me even higher, bring me peace of mind, and give me the ability to persist and succeed in my studies without financial concerns.

JERUSALEM MULTIDISCIPLINARY COLLEGE (JMC)

Max and Fay Kifer Scholarship Recipients:

*Liora, 22, is a first-year student in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science. She served in the IDF for two years and later in the reserves. She regularly volunteers with the elderly and excels in her program, exemplifying community care, national and social responsibility, and academic excellence.

*Yael, 21, is a first-year student in the Department of Photographic Communication. Elina completed one year of National Service (Sherut Leumi) prior to her academic

Shira’s designs (pictured above and left) were selected for use for the school’s marketing and recruiting campaign.

studies. In addition to her studies, Yael works as a graphic designer in a student position at the Chief Rabbinate and serves as class representative.

Alanna Elias Scholarship Recipient:

JMC awarded the Alanna Elias Scholarship to *Tamar, 21, from Tivon. She is a first-year student in the Department of Optometry and Vision Science.  Tamar served in the IDF for two years prior to academic studies.

*The names of these JMC students have been changed to protect their identities.

EXPERIENCE THE OF ISRAEL WITH CHW!

A JOURNE Y OF PURPOSE, PASSION, AND RESILIENCE

TRIP NAME : MADE IN ISRAEL

ARRIVAL : MORNING OF NOVEMBER 9

DURATION: 5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS

DEPARTURE: AFTER DINNER ON NOVEMBER 13

Now is the time to connec t with Israel like never before. Join CHW on an unforgettable adventure that takes you beyond the headlines and into the hear t of a nation rising with strength, spirit, and hope. From hands- on volunteer oppor tunities in the south to power ful encounters with the people shaping Israel’s future, this is more than a trip it ’s a chance to stand with Israel, give back, and be par t of its stor y of renewal since Oc tober 7.

Expec t unhurried, deeply meaningful days filled with unforgettable moments, special reflec tions, and real impac t. This is your chance to experience the beauty, braver y, and brilliance of Israel in motion.

FEEL THE PULSE. MAKE YOUR MARK . COME HOME INSPIRED.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

November 9 and November 13 - one VIP group meet and greet service at the airport upon arrival and on departure

November 9 and November 13 - one group transfer upon arrival and departure

4 nights of accommodations at Carlton Hotel Tel Aviv

4 daily buffet breakfasts at Carlton Hotel Tel Aviv

5 lunches, per the itinerary

5 dinners, per the itinerary

Entrance fees per the itinerary

Speakers and entertainment as per the itinerary

Transportation where required in a private, air-conditioned vehicle

English speaking guide where required

Armed security guard as required*

Gratuities for bus driver and guide

Water, snacks, and Wi-Fi on the bus

EXCLUDES:

International or domestic airfare

Travel and medical insurance

Personal expenses and shopping

Spa treatments

Meals or snacks not specified above

Alcoholic beverages during meals, exception dinner November 12

Early check-in or late check-out at the hotel

Room upgrades or “extras” at hotel

Pre/post mission travel arrangements

Double occupancy supplement fee of $50 CAD per night

Optional add-on Shabbat weekend November 7, 8 is available at the Carlton Hotel, price TBC. If interested, please contact jennifer@chw.ca

*Securit y will be provided based on the situation on the ground and in consultation with the Home Front Command.

Travel Travel

MADE IN ISRAEL,

NOVEMBER 9-13

*itinerary subject to change

*STAY TUNED FOR EXCITING ITINERARY UPDATES AND SPEAKER CONFIRMATIONS.

TEL AVIV

WELCOME TO ISRAEL

GAZA ENVELOPE

A DAY OF RESILIENCE, ACTION, AND REBUILDING

Recommended overnight EL Al flights arrive in the morning, airport transfers provided, check in at the Carlton hotel Enjoy a welcome meet and greet lunch and free time: take in the beach, hotel pool and spa, walk along the boardwalk, or just rest to shake off the jet lag before dinner and enlightening discussion with Canadian Activist, Entrepreneur, and Author guest speaker Ashley Waxman-Bakshi

Our journey south begins with journalist Rolene Marks offering insight into October 7 and the days and months following Visit the site of the Nova Music Festival massacre and guided tour of the poignant car cemetery Help be part of the rebuilding of one of the kibbutzim through a volunteer opportunity. End the day with dinner featuring the founders of social impact investment Tech 19 Hana Rado and Inbar Cohen and learn about how impact investing is empowering women in the Negev th

TEL AVIV

A PERFECT BLEND OF HEALING AND EXPERIENCING CULTURE

JERUSALEM A DAY OF REHABILITATION AND SPIRITUALITY

NORTH

NURTURE YOUTH AND ISRAEL’S FUTURE

Discover the healing power of surf therapy to address trauma with a visit to the inspiring HaGal Sheli and try your hand at surfing or just enjoy the Jaffa beach Savor local flavors on a guided tasting tour of Carmel Market with top chef, Adeena Sussman, followed by free time to shop at the vibrant Nachalat Binyamin Market or explore Tel Aviv on your own before a dining experience you are sure to remember.

DAY 1

Sunday, Nov. 9

DAY 3

Tuesday, Nov. 11

DAY 2

Monday, Nov.10

Hadassah Hospital Director General, Prof. Yoram Weiss, will welcome us to the new Gandel Rehabilitation Center for a dedication ceremony of the Hydrotherapy Unit reception area and tour of the CHW large hydrotherapy pool Take part in interactive tours of the cutting-edge rehabilitation departments followed by lunch with patients. Take a special, behind-the-scenes tour of a jewelry school and factory and hear about a program for Ethiopian immigrants learning the trade of jewelry making, with time to shop before dinner with Michal Sela Founder Lili Ben-Ami

Start the day volunteering with marginalized youth atrisk at CHW Netanya Technological High School before heading to the CHW Hadassim Children and Youth Villag for a dedication of the hydroponic greenhouse before basking in a farm-to-table lunch with Chef Shawna Goodman Sone We will head for a special reception hosted by Canadian Ambassador Leslie Scanlon before concluding the 2025 Made in Israel journey with a festiv dinner at the renowned Pit Master restaurant

Friday, Nov. 14

Thursday, Nov. 13

DAY 4

Wednesday, Nov.12

Trip

Trip

A veRy speciAl

THAnk yOu

In recognition of generous cumulative giving* received between January 1 and December 31, 2024 from $1,000+

GIFTS OF $1,000,000+

The Azrieli Foundation

GIFTS OF $500,000+

Aubrey & Marla

Dan Foundation

GIFTS OF $100,000+

GIFTS OF $10,000+

Aron Abecassis

Estate of Doreen Abugovz”l

Anonymous

Susan & Joseph Balinsky

Shelley & Dan Baruch

Tali & Jeff Baum

Shellianne Bedder and Warren Green

Karine Bellisha and Michael Cons

Donald Berman Jewish Eldercare Foundation

Michael Durbin

Felicia and Arnold Aaron Foundation

Ilene Flatt

Phyllis Flatt

Mandy & Russell Fleischer

Hillel Frankel

Mindy Ganz

The Jaclyn Fisher Foundation

Chana Kempner-Sternz”l

Debbie Eisenberg & Gary Levene

Esther & Harry Lebovic on behalf of The Wolf Lebovic Charitable Foundation

Irving & Estherz”l Matlow

Ronald S Roadburg Foundation

GIFTS OF $50,000+

Nancy Cohen

Ruth Cooperstock

The Eldee Foundation

Famglas Foundation

Rachel Lili Gerstenzangz”l

Judy & Doug Hendler

Roslyn Joseph

Mrs. Bella Muller

Susan & John Rose

Ben and Mary Zukierman Family Fund

Patricia (Lala) Berkovic

Sam Bugis

Marion Caplan

Diane Cohen

DFC Auto Group Inc

Dianne Kardish Memorial Fund

Wendy Eisen

Gayle & Harry Goldgut

Barbara Hennick

Genesis De L’Ouest

Marcia & Bernard Glick

Shirley Glick

The Goldberg Family Foundation

Sala Goldhar

Rhonda & Stan Gordon

Gustav Levinschi Foundation

The Henry and Berenice Kaufmann Foundation

Sarah & Gary Hutman

Sandra Herlick and Jack Frieberg

Irving Henry Liptonz”l Pursuits M.W. Inc.

Sharon (Cookie) Sandler

Rosalie Sharp

Shawna Goodman & Todd Sone

Family Foundation

Linda Silverman

Marnie Zigman Stern and Richard Stern

Beverly Suliteanu

Katarina Kraizel

Laboratoire Riva

Leila Lax

Elizabeth Laxer

Marilyn Libin & Jed Gaines

Sharon & Harvey Lipman

Jordanna Lipson

Glennie & David Mandel

Florence & Sheldon Miller, in honour of Perla Rozen

Carole & Bernie Zucker and Family

GIFTS OF $20,000+

Anonymous (3)

Fran Belzberg

Renée Wolfe

GIFTS OF $5,000+

A. Benjamin Gallay Fund

Anonymous (4)

The Asper Foundation

MNP LLP

Heather Ordon

PearTree Financial Services Ltd.

Estate of Marion Poliakoff

Estate of David Pollackz”l

Red Planet Group

Sylvia Cristall Fabricland

Adrienne Folbz”l

Barbara Gleibermanz”l

Karen Farkas and Clyde Hurtig

Jeannette Hoffman

Elayna & Jonathan Latsky

Miriam Neveren Memorial Fund

The P. Austin Family Foundation

Somar Foundation,

Sandy & Larry Martin

Annette & Ted Wine

Azuria Group

Barrday Inc.

Bell Mobility

The Benjamin Foundation

Shirley Birbrager

BMO Nesbitt Burns

Brown Group of Companies

Stephanie Caplan & Robert Pelcowitz

Carlowe Jewelry

Tamara Collier

Stephen Cotsman and the family of Teresa Schwarzfeldz”l

Barry E. Cox

Delaney Capital Management Ltd.

Patricia Royer

Susan Segal

Hayley Baboushkin Shaffer & Ian Shaffer

Brondell Shapiro

Fred & Jon Sherman

Myrna & Steve Singer

Deborah & Howard Szalavetz

Tribute Communities

Adina & Elias Toby

Michelle & Robert Weinberg

Woodcliff Management Group Inc.

Gwendolyn Yacht

Terry & Robert Yanowski

Joan Young and Mel Goldstein

GIFTS OF $1,000+

1980048 Ontario Inc. o/a Pencil Design

Aaron Waxman and Associates

Ruth R Aaron

Carole & Arnold Abramson

Karen & Marc Adler

Leonda Adler

Agi Mandel Holding Limited

Gil Aharon

Albert Abrum Lager Foundation

Sheila Alexander

Allan and Susan Fenwick

Charitable Foundation

Alvin Segal Family Foundation

Anna Leff Foundation

Annette R B Holdings LTD

Anonymous (24)

Simmie Antflick

Creig Antliff

Marla Glassman Arnovitz and Neil Arnovitz

Karen Assouline and Dov Wolman

Bernard Awerback

Diane Bald

Melissa Baldassarra

Adele & David Balinsky

Barry Bank

Debbie & Mark Bank

Gertrude Barath

Lori & Philip Barer

Baron De Hirsch Cemetery Inc.

Linda & John Barron

Sharon & Ron Baruch

Susan Baruch

David Baskin

Renna Bassal

Danny Baum

Tobie Bekhor

Belfor Canada

Marnie & Darren Bondar

Esti Bonkowski

Estate of Miriam Bookbinder

Borden Ladner Gervais

Barbara Borenstein

Boston Traders

Michelle & Jack Bottner

Tiana Koffler Boyman

Andrea Bronstein

Susan Glazer Brown and Mitchell H. Brown

Rosalind & Neil Brown

Bernice Brownstein

Gladys Buckler

Lynda & Howie Budd

Bruce Burnett

Pauline Burns, Oshawa

Harold Busner

Pam Calderone

Daphne Campbell

Beverley Carley

Giancarlo Cataldo

Cavour Developments Inc

Chaim & Clara Spilberg Memorial Fund

Jonathan Chait

Elaine Chelin

The Chelminski Family Foundation

Arlein & Dovz”l Chetner

Glenda & David Chetner

Aviva & Stephen Cheuk

The Chodos Family Foundation

Bell Kearns and Associates Ltd

Lauren & Samuel Bell

Bonnie Belzberg

Yaelle Benhamou and Eric Bensimon

Carol Berall

Cylia Bercovich

Judith Berg

Judy & Allan Berger

Julie Berger

Heather Glassman Berkowitz

Susan & Jeff Bercovitch

Eleanora Berku

Judy Betel

Patti Betel

Sonia & David Bickman

Eric Bissell

Trudy Clifford

Barry Cohen

Cora Cohen

Laurie Cohen

Paula Cohen

Sandy Cohen

Susan Cohen

Lisa Colt-Kotler and Andrew Kotler

Como Diffusion Inc

Claire Conrad

Ronald Cons

Construction Dancon Inc.

Barbara Cooper, East Garafraxa

Gail & Richard Cooper

Leba & Jack Cooperstone

Beverley & Ron Corber

Sandra & Bernard Corenblum

Marla Dan

Ann & Morris Dancyger

Joanne Davidson

Emilio C. De Filippis

Jennifer Blitz and Dan Kaminsky

Erika Bloch

Karen Bloom

Lea Bloom

Pearl & Gerald Bloom

Renée & Milton Bogoch

Ruth Dvorkin

Maureen & Jack Dym

Karen & Tom Ehrlich

Leigh & George Eisenberg

Sandra & Haskel Eisner

Stella Ekstein

Margo D. Elman

Corinne Engel

Daryl Erdman

Diane & Larry Erlick

Ernest Enterprises

Evans Investment Counsel

Maxanne Ezer

Terrie Faber and Perry Gerwing

Lynn Factor & Sheldon Inwentash

Jason Farber

Rachel Farber

Jay Feldman

Solly Feldman

Brian Fenton

Gail & Joel Fenwick

Ellen & Gerald Fialkov

Fiberlinks Textiles Inc. / Symak Sales

Annette & Larry Filler

Shelley Fine

Lois Friedman Fine & Jack Fine

Steve Finiffter

Molly & Henry Finkelstein

First Capital

Sharon & Edward Fitch

Sharoni Fixler

Karen Florence

Cynthia Flower

Fonex Data Systems Inc.

Eva Frank

Lorraine & Mark Franklin

Marla Freedman

Pam Freedman

Ruth Freeman

Nora & John Freund

Delmar International Inc.

Dentistry Professional Corporation

Rob Di Iorio

Karen & Stephen Diamond

Ron Diamond

Lisa Draper

Rozlyn Druckman

Rhoda & Jerry Dubin

Karen & Lionel Dubrofsky

Elly (Helen) Freund-Bell

Seth Frieberg

Linda Friedlich

Leslie & Keith Gales

Randi Garbas

Ruth & Alby Garbe

Corinne & Mark Gelfer

Genatec

Gerald Weiss Grall Corporation

David Gerstein

Francine Gerstein

Josh Gerstein

Rita Gerstein

Myrna Ghitter

Sean Gilbert

Lynn Gillman

Daniella Givon and Bernard Pinsky

Lita Glassman

Rose Marie Glassman

Lynn Glazer

Vera & Malcolm Glube

Beth Godfrey

Rosemarie Gold

Nita Goldband

Debbie & Ian Goldberg

Helen & Marvin Goldberg

Janice Goldberg

Hershey Goldenblatt

Karen Goldhar White

Rosylin & Gerold Goldlist

Claudia & Paul Goldman

Glory & Joe Goldman

Sandy Goldman

Diane & Wayne Goldstein

Ellen Goldstein

Esther & Jonathan Goodman

Joanna & Matthew Goodman

Heather & Martin Goose

Debbie Gorman

Bailey Grad

Sarah & Henry Granatowicz

Maxine Granovsky

Gina Grant

David S. Grayson

Sandra Green

Marion Greenberg

Robyn & Saul Greenspan

Howard Greenspoon

Josh Groberman

Saryl Gross

Bonnie Grossman

Lynda & Edward Grossman

Sharon Grossman

George S. Grostern

Adam Grosvenor

Bonnie Grundman

Eva & Gordon Hoffman

Helen & Ralph Hoffman

Rhonda & Richard Halpern

Michael P Hollinger

Jenny Hoppenheim

Howard B. Lohner CPA Inc.

Jack Dym Investments Ltd.

Frederica Jacobs

Joyce & Howard Jacobs

Karen Jacobs

Jaime Polan Zimmerman Interiors

The Jeremy & Judith Freedman

Family Foundation

Jim Wilson Financial Group, CIBC Wood Gundy

Robert Josephson

Clive Kahn

Evelyn Kahn

Sandra & David Kaminker

Michelle & Arnon Kaplansky

David Laren

Sophie Lauzon

Michelle Lavine and Larry Saltsman

Leo and Shirley Goldfarb Foundation

Leonard and Carol Berall Foundation

Les Papiers MPC Inc

Les Résidences Sélection S.E.C.-VI

Elaine Lesniak

Miles Leutner

Leslie Levant

Shifra & Ron Levene

Marlene Levenson

Rochelle Levinson

Ruth Levitan

Barbi & Michael Levitt

Marleen & Harold Levy

Harriet Libin

Judith Lifshitz and Danny Kaufer

Lisa Linden and Andrew Wiseman

Sheila & Ralph Gurevitch

Phil Gurtherz

Jodi Gurza

Hedy Gutman

Nathan Haber

Shelly Haber

Eileen Haimovitz and Arnold Gluzz”l

Andrea Halperin

Jackie Halpern

Nancy Baker Halpern

Jackie & Hayim Hamborger

Jessica Handelman

Dorothy Hanson and Sheldon Shagal

Hartel Holding Co Ltd.

Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd

David Hauerstock

Herzig Eye Institute

Jennifer & Jeffrey Hesselson

Naomi Himel

Sonya Hirsch

Tammy Hittner

Margo & David Kardish, In Memory of Tessie Zelikovitzz”l & Eva Kardishz”l

Judy Katsof

April & David Katz

Eva & Alan Katznelson

Joy D. Kaufman

Joy E Kaufman

Dora & Harry Kichler

Adam Kimel

Jordana Kimel

Kimel Family

Sandi & Julius Kirschner

Perri Kirshenblatt

Paula Klaiman

Francie & Stuart Klein

Debbie Kleiner

Lisa Klinger

Laurie Koch

Myrna Koffman

Helen Kogan

Lea Kohn

Clarice Brownstein Kolomeir

In Memory of Shirley Konigsbergz”l

Marla Korman

Ethel Kostman

Sarah Krauss

Sharon & Fred Kroft

Gail & Melvin Ksienski

Esther & Irving Kulik

Sugithan Kumaresan

Margaret & Andrew Lindzon

Susan & Paul Lindzon

Kate Lisus

Adam Little

Liuna Lending A Hand

LiUNA Local 183

Glynnis Louis

Fran & Alan Luborsky

Mona Azoulay Ludmer

Dani Lurie

Sandra Lyons

Madison Midland Limited

Evelyn Maizen

Lori Mandelbaum

Devorah Mandell

Judy Mandleman

Shawn Marr

Marsid Family Foundation

Martin Stein Real Estate Ltd

Beulah Martin

Lorraine & Randal Martin

Evelyn Mashaal

Anne Matlow

Linda & Myron Matlow

Sharon L. Mayer

Hedda Medjuk

Shirlee Medjuck

Roslyn Mendelson

Dorit & Ezer Mevorach

Tyla & Larry Meyer

Francy Kussner and Arthur Yallen

Wally Kusters

La Prima Investments Limited

Harriette Laing

In memory of Eleanor Lambertz”l

Lana Landa

Marlene Landa

Esther Landsman

Sonja & Harry Langburt

Esther & Dave Laredo

Sarah Meyer

Migson Public Storage

Miriam Milavsky

Luba Miller

Risa Miller

Rodney Miller

Sandy & Michael Minden

Eleanor Mintz

Heather Mintz

Risa Mintz and Gary Himel

Galit Minuskin

Greg Mitelman

Shanna Mittleman and Todd Mandel

Michelle Moll

Montana Burnett Design

Robert T. Moore

Anita Morris

Joan Morris Morris & Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation

George Morrison

Walter Moscovitz

Michele A. Moss

Miriam Nachmani

Joanne Nadal

Lynda Nadolny

Nathan and Lily Silver Family Foundation

Janice Nathanson

Madelon & Jay Niman

Lori Noble

Norbert & Gusta Roth Foundation

Kathie & Mickey Norris

Vita Edith Novick

Marnie Mars Nusbaum

Janice M. O’Born

Susan Orenstein

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Osmington Inc.

Alex Osten

Ottawa Hadassah-WIZO

Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation

Adrienne Pacht

Marilyn & Larry Pacht

Linda Papernick

Marvin Pascal

Lola Pawer

Sharon & Mark Pearlstein

Pennylove Holdings

Riccardo Persi

Lawrence Plotnick

Sharon L. Pollock

Ana M. Porzecanski

Beth & Lorne Price

Erica Prussky

Marsha Ptack

Rochelle Rabinovitz

Merle Rachlin

Fern Reich

Rochelle Reichert

Cheryl Reicin

Beverly Reisman

Mrs. Heather Reisman

Sam Reisman

Jesse Remillard-Steiner

re:source lifestyles

Marlene & Ronald Richardson

Lisa Ritchie

Murray Robins

Soni Robins

Marvin Rosenblatt

Aubrey Rosenhek

Barb & Gerald Rosenstein

Lori & Jeff Rosenthal

Irene & Stuart Ross

Molly Ross

Ruth & Hy Ross

Marilyn Rotenberg

Fonda Roth

Sheila & Danny Rother

Shelley Rothman

Sonia & Gerry Rowan

Wendi Rockert

Dianne Roebuck

Debra Roher

Eric Rose

Beverley Siskind and Arthur Caplan

Michael Sitzer

Jeannie & Peter Sklar

Sheryl Skopit and Kevin Sherkin

Barry Slawsky

Stan & Carey Smith

Rebecca Snukal

Bobbi Soderstrom

Arlene Solomon

RP Investment Advisors

Arthur Z. Rubin

Lorne Rubin

Toby & Sidney Rubin

Stephanie Rusen

Susan Sacchi

Karen & Barry Sacks

Joelle Sacksner

Susan Sager

Sajo Inc.

Andrew Salomon

Samper Developments Limited

Maxine Sanders

Judy & Sam Sapera

Debra Satok

Randi & Peter Satok

Steven Satov

Bea Schachter

Marcia Schnoor

Diane & Harold Schwartz

Gayla & Ken Schwartz

Michael Schwartz

Rhonda & Howard Schwartz

Roberta & Brian Schwartz

Elaine Schwartzman

Scotia Wealth Management

Scotiabank

Ann Secter

Ilse Seetnerz”l

Marcy & Mark Segall

Tammy Seigel

Linda Senzilet

Lou Serafini

Jane Shadley

Karen Solomon

Fran & Edward Sonshine

Carol Lou Spiegel

Julie Spira Stainton Group

Harriet & William Star

Cathy Stein

Haya & Stanley Stein

Rebecca Stein

Suzanne & Martin Stein

Debbie S. Steinberg

Mireille & Murray Steinberg

Estate of Myrna Sterling

Gary Stern

Vivian & Howard Stotland

Barbara Sugar

Darren Sukonick

Sunray Electronics (Canada) Limited

Barbara & Martin Sversky

Eunice Swadron

Beverly Swedko

Mr. Brahm Swirsky

Swiss Vienna Pastry

Amalia Sztain and Mark Mandel

Lauren Tabatznik

Table 51

Lois & Marvin Tafler

Carole Tanenbaum

Jennifer & Ken Tanenbaum

Francine Taras

Mrs. Maureen Tartick

Mary & Ken Taub

Sara & Irwin Tauben

Louise & Gary Tenenbaum

Gail D Teperman

Stephan Tetraullt

The Edible Story

Monica & Barry Shapiro

Faigel & Len Shapiro

Vivien Sharon

Linda & Arnie Shaw

Gerald Sheiner

Lloyd Sheiner

Betty A. Sherwood

Elaine Shiff

Susan Shinoff

Shucor Investments Limited

Deborah Siegel and Eric Beutel

Hinda & Allan Silber

The Silverberg Fund

Silverspoon Dinner

Marny & Bruce Simpson

Rebecca & Alan Simpson

Marilyn & Stephen Sinclair

Nanette Rosen & Michael Feldman

Sally Singal

Thread Collective Inc.

Ryan Tomicic

Harriet Train

Tova Train

Miriam & Paddy Trehearne

Robin Turack

Ruth Ullman

Union Lighting & Home

Universal Lighting Corp.

Tina Urman

Marty Usher

Susan Van Der Hout

Lillian Vineberg and Morris Goodman

Nancy Viner

W. M. Fleischer Charitable Foundation

Wainberg Family

Nadine Pupko Walman and Terry Walman

Cynthia & John Warren

GIFTS OF $1,000+ CONT’D

Goldie Wassermuhl

Mary Waterman and Collin Paulson

Wendy Weber

Gary Wechsler

Andrew Weinman

Edward Weinstein

Marilyn & Arthur Weinstein

Marilyn Weisbart

Caroline Weiss

Sasha & Thomasz”l Weisz

Janet Weisz-Asa

Jonathan Wener

Zees Wenger

Janet & Allen Werger

Ruth Wilansky

Hedie Williams

Carole Winberg

Judy Winberg

Cynthia Wine

Nina Wine

Randi & Sam Winter

Carole Wolfe

Karen Wolfe

Avi Amir

Anonymous (18)

Stuart Ansky

Vivian Astroff

Alfred H. Balm

Barry and Esther Naiberg Family Fund

Eva Bartonz”l

Natalie Batshaw

Maria Beckz”l

Leona Bell

Debbie Baylin

Bergwen Industries Ltd MedMobility

Marilyn & Paul Bild

Sam Goldsmithz”l

Adele Goldstein

Carol Goldstein

Sylvia Goldstein

Ilona Gondorz”l

Carolez”l and Jerry Grafstein

Howard Grantz”l

Shirley Greenbergz”l

Helen Greenfeld

Mark Halpern

Ms. Annette Hanson

Bina and Leonard Ellen Family Foundation

Marjorie Blankstein

Sarah Block and Denis Beaulieu

Else Boehm

Estate of Eva Braunz”l

Orah Buck

Frieda Bugisz”l

Gloria Burnett

Sherri Wolfish & David Factor

Shelley & Harold Wolkin

Sylvia Wolynetz

Rachelle Wolynetz-Frankel

Sylvia Wortsman

Chen Xu

Liora Yakubowicz

Toby & Joel Yan

Yonge Vision

Betty Young

Susan Young

Alyssa Yufe

Beverley Zaifman

Don Zarbatany

Judy & Martin Zelikovitz

Sheila J. Zive

Rose Zivot

ZLC Foundation

Andrea Zlotnik

Sarah Zolberg

Elaine R. Zucker

Rochelle Zwicker

WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND RECOGNIZE THE STEADFAST SUPPORT OF THE FOLLOWING: 1093026 Ontario Limited 1-R32 Foundation 3651835 Canada Inc

Susan Abramowitz

Freda & Marvin Abugov

Acting Up Stage Theatre Company Inc

Linda Adams and Gil Troy

Luba Allen

Simon Altman

The Alvin & Mona Libin Foundation

Byron Holdings Ltd

C & C Packing Inc.

Calgary Foundation

Robin & Norm Chernick

Estate of Anetta Lorna Cherninz”l

Sandra Chernoff

CIBC World Markets Canada

Neil Closner

Caroline Cohen

Helen & Alan Cohen

Louise Cohen

Marlene Cohen

Robyn B. Cohen

Miriam Cooper

Charles Coulson

Lorne Cristallz”l

Estate of Frank Hardyz”l

Judith Harris

The Harweg Foundation

Gertrude Helperinz”l

Fanny Hendlerz”l

Estate of Beatrice Norma Hockz”l

Ira Gluskin & Maxine Granovsky Gluskin

Charitable Foundation

The Jay & Barbara Hennick Family Foundation

The Joseph Lebovic Charitable Foundation

Alan Katz

Kaye Bernstein Trust Fund #1

Dena Kelsonz”l

Fay Kiferz”l

Estate of Lee Koffmanz”l

Seren Kratzz”l

Mina Kupferberg

Connie Kussnerz”l

Rachel Lapidusz”l

Lianne Leboff

Cristall Group Investments Inc.

Shirley Croll

Beverley Davis in memory of Evelyn Davisz”l

Estate of Suzanne Destonz”l

Trudianne Dolman

Dr. Geoffrey Conway Memorial Foundation

Karen Durbin and Frank Ander

Frieda Dymz”l

Joanne T. Emerman

Estate of William Evansz”l

Paul Faibish

Margaret Farkas

Esther Rachel Federmanz”l

Susan & Arnie Fine

Frankenburg Foundation

Marie Buxbaum Ledererz”l

Estate of Abe Leithz”l

Estate of Anna Ruth Leithz”l

Carol & Stewart Lesser

Enid Lesserz”l

Charlotte Levenez”l

Estate of Nora Finkler Levinez”l

Joseph Levittz”l

Rochelle Levittz”l

Joe Levyz”l

Jay Libfeld

Estate of Sybil Sarah Lichtensteinz”l

The Lindy Green Family Foundation

Shirley Lipovskyz”l

Jeffrey H Lipton

Bluma Litner

Lloyd Liverant

Neil Maizen

The Friedberg Charitable Foundation

Patricia & Allan Friedland

The Gerald Schwartz and Heather Reisman Foundation

Ginette Ingrid Goldz”l

Karyn & Joseph Gold

Bea Goldbergz”l

Bernard Goldbergz”l

Beryl Goldmanz”l

Ralph Goldmanz”l

Edith S. Mandellz”l

Louis Manpelz”l

Leanne and David Matlow

Marion Mayman

Jacqueline Meltzer

Minto Apartments Limited

Riza Mintz

Modico Canada Ltd.

Mariann Molnarz”l

Bertha Moskovitzz”l

Eunice C. Mouckleyz”l

Estate of Elizabeth Narodz”l

National Bank Financial Inc.

Dr. Jay Newmanz”l

Estate of Lucy Niskerz”l

William H. Owenz”l

Norma Palmerz”l

Paradise Homes Corp.

Paul Heller Ltd.

Barbara & Pinchas Pleet

Sandy & Alan Posluns

Lyle Pullan

Frayda Raber and Charles Wiseman

Joyce Raymond

Helen Readz”l

Rebecca and Alan Simpson Family Foundation

Faith Ribackz”l

Georgina Rigorz”l

Shanna Rosen

Gloria I. Rosenberg

Paul Rosner

Royal Bank of Canada

Jeffrey Royer

Perla Rozen

Mrs. Rima Rozen

RSM Canada

Tracey Rumig and Stephen Eichler

Ruth E. and William H. Ross Foundation

Ariella Schachter

Evelyn Bloomfield Schachter

Terry Schwarzfeldz”l

Natalie Shafferz”l

Etta T. Shermanz”l

Kayla Shoctor

Silver Star Automotive Group

Judy Silver

Marianne Simorz”l

Melissa Singer in memory of

Thelma Grace Steinz”l

Allan Stitt

Gerald Strollz”l

Sam Switzer & Family

Symetryx Corporation

Syra Kamin LTD

Eva Szuszz”l

Phyllis G. Singer and A. Leo Singer

Phyliss Reta Sniderz”l

Heather & Areyh Snitman

Mildred Sonshinez”l

The Sonshine Family Foundation

Soskin Family Foundation

Carla & Lawrence Stein

Louise & Gary Tenenbaum

Mark Tinnerman

Estate of Tatjana Tryjanskiz”l

Martha Vajdaz”l

Karen & Ben Varadi

Elise & Barry Walderman

Gabi Weisfeldz”l

Manual Whitzmanz”l

Inez Zelikovitzz”l

Connie Zwingerman

*At time of printing - July 2025. We apologize for any errors or omissions.

EVENTS

N A T i O N A L E V E N T S

In recognition of Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, we hosted a complimentary virtual screening of the short film, The Monopol Following the screening, participants engaged in a q & a with the film’s director and screenwriter

We welcomed Prof Shai Efrati, Director of the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research at Shamir Medical Center in Israel on February 19 for a presentation on the regenerative effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).

On April 7, CHW hosted a webinar about mental health in Israel, and how Hadassah Hospital has increased their support of the crisis Dr Shiri Ben David spoke about her experience as the Rehabilitation Psychologist and Chief Psychologist of Hadassah Medical Center

This year ’ s FASHION BLOOMS soared to new heights in partnership with the debut of Canada Israel Fashion Week, showcasing designs by Sharon Tal (Maskit), Chana Marelus, and Milli

On June 5, attendees met Jake, a 37 year old reservist and father of four who was wounded twice while serving in Gaza He shared a presentation on how he came to join the IDF, the injuries he sustained in combat, and his road to recovery.

CHW supporters attended the powerful Nova Exhibit in Toronto, honoring the lives lost and impacted by the October 7 tragedy through moving displays and personal stories.

WEST COAST EAST COAST to

DON’T MISS OUT ON FUTURE EVENTS: CHW.CA/EVENTS

K R A V M A G A W O R K S H O P

To celebrate International Women's Day, CHW Vancouver Centre came together for a fun and educational Krav Maga session (Israeli martial arts). The event was a success, and funds were raised in support of mental health and rehabilitation at Hadassah Hospital and Shamir Medical Center

M A T S O N T H E G R O U N D

On June 22, CHW Vancouver Centre held “Mats on the ground”, an afternoon of guided yoga experience of mindfulness and relaxation for all skill levels The event was in support of our CHW Annual Campaign, aiding PTSD therapy and psychological rehabilitation, in Israel V E R E V E N T S G A M E S D A Y

On March 18, CHW Calgary Centre and Halpern Akiva Academy hosted a fun Games Night Everyone enjoyed games, laughter, and refreshments all in support of PTSD Therapy at Shamir Medical Center and Psychological Rehabilitation at Hadassah Hospital

On May 14, Calgary Centre held its Connections Tea This event was in support of the CHW Annual Campaign, Hope on the Horizon

On June 12, CHW Calgary Centre hosted an insightful evening with trauma therapist Daphne Wornovitzky, diving deep into collective trauma The thoughtful conversation and expert guidance helped shine a light on the path to recovery

CHW Vancouver Centre Games Day was a wonderful success! On May 4 over 80 people joined for an afternoon filled with laughter, friendship, and fun. N T S

EVENTS

On May 25 CHW London Centre hosted a fun afternoon of games, refreshments, and prizes!

On November 20, Aura Chapter, one of the newest CHW Toronto chapters, presented a family-friendly, multigenerational event showcasing local Jewish small businesses, artisans, and food vendors in a lively marketplace It was a wonderful success raising over $30,000 in support of the CHW Hadassim Children & Youth Village in Israel

On November 26, Lisa Stadelbauer, who served as Canada’s Ambassador to Israel from 2021 to 2024, shared her reflections on the days following October 7 during her time at the Canadian Embassy in Israel P O R C H J A M C O N C E R T

On March 2, CHW Toronto L'Netzach Chapter threw an evening of rockin' music in support of mental health and rehabilitation in Israel and Canada, featuring Porch Jam a Toronto-based cover band playing hits from the ages.

O R O N T O E V E N T S L O N D O N E V E N T S

On March 16, CHW Toronto Tamid Chapter hosted a screening of the film "Seven Blessings", followed by a live Q&A with lead actor and writer Reymonde Amsellem, and Producer Ronen Ben-Tal.

This year CHW Toronto Nova Chapter sold Purim ecards through our online card store, in support of rehabilitation and recovery at Hadassah Hospital and Shamir Medical Center in Israel.

On March 8, CHW Toronto Hatikvah Chapter threw a challenging Trivia Night event at the North Thornhill Community Centre.

On June 18, CHW Toronto Centre President Susie Rose hosted Toronto chapter presidents for dinner to thank them for another fantastic year of fundraising. CHW CEO Lisa Colt-Kotler and National President Tova Train shared updates from our projects in Israel, along with some of CHW’s plans for the rest of the year

WEST COAST

EAST COAST to

DON’T MISS OUT ON FUTURE

EVENTS: CHW.CA/EVENTS

CHW Toronto Atid Chapter's 2025 Passover Tulip Fundraiser was a success again this year, with over 660 pots of tulips sold!

CHW Toronto Nova Chapter Puppy Yoga was a great success with two sold-out classes and 60 people total in attendance

On April 29, CHW Toronto Aterret Chapter hosted a Book Talk with author Marjie Zacks. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed hearing Marjie read from her book and share the stories behind it.

On May 13 participants joined CHW Toronto Dor L’Dor Chapter and laced up their sneakers for a fun-filled walkathon in support of a meaningful cause

On May 7, CHW Toronto Tzedakah Chapter hosted their annual At Our Table fundraiser A dynamic evening of gourmet food and inspiring entertainment, featuring stunning, one-of-a-kind tablescapes created by top Toronto interior designers, floral artists, and home decor boutiques This year their event raised over $450,000!

ORAH SUMMER 2025 51

Click here for something special from Tzedakah Chapter.

EVENTS

This May, CHW Toronto Lev Zahav Chapter held their Mother's Day Fundraiser, and between the hundreds of flowers delivered and cards mailed, over $30,000 was raised in support of CHW’s Annual Campaign!

On June 24, CHW Toronto Machar Chapter presented “Art Experiences” Hosts Lynn Factor and Sheldon Inwentash generously opened the doors to their home, showing their formidable art collection and educating guests about their collecting journey Their museumworthy collection was documented with a special catalogue created for this fundraiser by expert art advisor, David Moos

On June 18 CHW Toronto Aterret Chapter hosted an exciting Games Day and high tea event The afternoon was filled with laughter, connection, and community spirit, all in support of critical CHW projects in Israel

In honour of Amit Chapter’s 50 anniversary, CHW Ottawa Centre held a month-long fundraiser in support of our Annual Campaign, Hope on the Horizon th T O R O N T O E V E N T S

T T A W A E V E N T S

On December 8 2024 Here are some pictures from the Chanukah Fair in Ottawa yesterday. CHW Ottawa had a table filled with hand-made crafts. The Fair was held at thee Soloway Jewish Community Centre

CHW Ottawa Centre proudly celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Amit Chapter with a walk down memory lane Members gathered to reminisce, share stories, and treasured photos from over the years, honouring five decades of friendship, impact, and community

WEST COAST

EAST COAST to

DON’T MISS OUT ON FUTURE

EVENTS: CHW.CA/EVENTS

On November 12, CHW Montreal Centre hosted “Heroic Tales of Healing and Recovery and Tablet Tableaux” event Jorge Diener and Shlomo Demma shared their story of healing and recovery and CHW Montreal Centre Past President and artist, Sheila Nemtin-Levine gave a guided tour of Tablet Tableaux

CHW Montreal Centre was honoured to take part in the Akiva School Art Fair on May 21. Students and their parents decorated framed hamsas with a blessing for the home. These frames will be shared at our projects in Israel to bring some love from Canada

Game On! A Fun Night Out of Mah Jongg and Canasta was hosted by CHW Montreal Centre on March 20 It was a fantastic night of games and giving in support of the new Psychological Rehabilitation Unit at Hadassah Hospital

CHW Montreal Centre’s annual Passover Chocolate fundraiser raised $50,000 from sales and sponsorships for PTSD therapy at Shamir Medical Center and the Psychological Rehabilitation Unit at Hadassah Hospital

The 3rd Annual Pickleball Tournament was a great success in support of the Healing Young Minds campaign Participants enjoyed amazing prizes and gifts from generous donors including Xzactly, MyTagAlongs, Stokes, Ro-El Solutions, Granolust, Pwr4All, and TCBY M O N T R E A L E V E N T S

CHW Montreal Nurses’ Council hosted a CHW table at the Côte Saint-Luc Community Garage Sale. They received a generous donation of children’s clothes and toys, much to the delight of shoppers. The members enjoyed a lovely day together

CHW Montreal enjoyed an inspiring evening with author Amy Fish on May 28, as she shared stories from her new book One in Six Million, fresh off its sold-out first printing Her powerful storytelling captivated the audience and left a lasting impression.

CHW Montreal Centre’s Anna Zaitchick Chapter members enjoyed the Berthe Weille exhibit at the Montreal Museum of Fina Arts, in June Shout out to Marm Wrap, museum docent, for her insightful tour

In January 2025, CHW National President Tova Train travelled to Israel with CHW CEO Lisa Colt-Kotler. They attended the WIZO Meeting of Representatives (MOR), met with lots of friends at each of our CHW projects, and spent an entire lifetime in the car with CHW Director Sharon Stern.

What I learned in Israel by Tova Train

(In no particular order):

1. WIZO women are passionate Zionists and a pleasure to meet.

2. Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah is very popular.

3. I thought Toronto real estate was expensive!?

4. President Herzog is a mensch.

5. Our cows at Nahalal are hale and hearty...moo!

6. Mt. Herzel’s National Memorial for Fallen Soldiers is a beautiful tribute.

7. I don't like malabi. It's like eating perfume. Feh!

8. When hostages are released, the whole country welcomes them as their own.

9. Tomatoes and cucumbers are delicious straight from the Nahalal vines.

10. Israeli wine is delicious straight from the vineyard.

11. Nova…no words.

Finally, I’d like to say that upon visiting Israel I’m reminded that there is still work to be done to help victims of trauma and grief. There is also a tremendous amount of strength, resilience, and determination there, too.

Lisa and Tova with the group at the WIZO Meeting of Representatives (MOR)

CHW Hadassim Children & Youth Village

You can join Lisa and Tova on their next trip for the “Made In Israel” tour this coming November! Details on page 38-39.

Sharon Stern, CHW Israel Director takes a selfie with the group touring Shamir Medical Center

NATIONAL

Cards For Any Occasion

CHW offers a complete selection of any-occasion cards and certificates to recognize life-cycle events, such as:

• Anniversary

• Bar/Bat Mitzvah

• Birth

• Birthday

• Get Well

• Holidays

• Mazel Tov

• Sympathy

Available online: chw.ca/cards

Handmade Mezuzahs

• Thinking of You

• Thank You

• Todah Rabah

• Wedding

One-of-a-kind, handmade mezuzahs (scroll not included). The perfect gift for a new baby, wedding, engagement, anniversary, or housewarming. Designed by artist Debra Satok. $72/each.

Handmade Am Israel Chai Necklaces

“Am Israel Chai” paper cutout is encased between layers of glass, in a silver tone case with a silver chain. Keep Israel close to your heart with this unique handmade necklace designed by CHW supporter Zahava Goldstein. $50/each +shipping.

CALGARY CENTRE

Haute Couture Brooches

A meaningful elegant accessory for any occasion. Silk, 3 inch diameter, magnetic back. M&S Schmalberg has been handmaking flowers in New York City since 1916. World-famous designers have ordered specialty pieces for haute couture, runways, and celebrity designs.

Visit chw.ca/shop to see all your local fundraisers.

MONTREAL CENTRE

CHW Montreal Centre Fundraiser

The perfect gift! Get sweatshirts, t-shirts, and/ or tote bags in the colour of your choice! Shipping across Canada. $10 will be donated to CHW for every purchase!

TORONTO CENTRE

CHW Toronto Nova Chapter Fundraiser

The perfect gift! Customize your water bottle, travel mug, wine tumbler, thermos with a CHW logo, Blue Jays logo, or text of your choice. For every item purchased from the CHW page on Namaka’s website, Namaka will donate $10 to CHW.

In Me M oriu M

Ce C ily Peters z”l

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Cecily Petersz”l, Past CHW

National President and Past CHW Toronto Centre President.

Cecily Peters was imbued with love for Canadian Hadassah-WIZO at the knees of her grandmother and mother – Sarah and Dorothy Goodman, attending her first bazaar at the age of eight. Her mother was a founder of Western and Kadimah Chapters in Toronto, serving as the latter’s President for 16 years. Their home was constantly buzzing with fundraising plans for teas, sales, and social events.

With these dedicated women as role models, it was natural that in 1948, she joined the Deborah Chapter and embarked upon her career as a professional volunteer for CHW. Cecily had a sense of what was fair and just; she gave freely of her love and served in a manner both responsible and respectful. The membership responded to her in like manner. She earned many longlasting friendships and learned the skills of fundraising and leadership, which prepared her for the presidency of her chapter and later for her role as CHW National President (1983-1987).

Cecily travelled extensively on behalf of CHW. In Canada, she developed close ties between cities and the National Office. Her numerous trips to Israel resulted in a better understanding and warm relationships with World WIZO, Youth Aliyah, and Shamir Medical Center (then known as Assaf Harofeh Medical Center).

Cecily filled her long life with love. She adored her parents, Dave and Dorothy Goodman, and her brother, Eddie, a prominent lawyer. Cecily was married, and then unfortunately, widowed three times to Bernie Mayer, Dave Peters and Vern Tatham.

She loved her children, Alan (Tammy), Fred (Eileen) and Sari, and her four grandchildren Bernie, Eli, Mat (Lauren) and Darren (Chandler). Cecily was afflicted with Alzheimer’s for the last 20 years of her life and never knew her great grandchildren, Kailey, Dylan, Tatum, and great-grandson, Madden, who arrived just days before Cecily passed. Yet it wasn’t only her family she touched but also the thousands of people who were inspired by her leadership and devotion to Judaism and Israel.

“I have always believed that we are truly blessed to live in Canada, this great democracy where we are free to promote the ideals of Judaism and Zionism, while remaining devoted loyal Canadians. We have two countries to love and serve – Canada and Israel,” she said.

Cecily Petersz”l (right) with Past CHW National Vice President at the time Naomi Frankenburg (left) at Installation in Israel.

SEPT 10 –

SEPT 11 –

SEPT 12 – VANCOUVER

SEPT 13 – VICTORIA

SEPT 15 –

SEPT 16 –