incoming
Toronto Centre Executive
Dr. Leila Lax P R E S I D E N T Leila is tremendously grateful for the opportunity to contribute to CHW as the as the incoming Toronto Centre President 2026-2028. Leila is a member of Machar chapter and has held numerous leadership positions, including co-president and vice-president. Her commitment to CHW, dedication to Israel, and passion for art, inspired her to work with chapter members to elevate fundraising for Machar Art Experiences over the past 10 years. Leila values education and collaboration. She obtained 4 degrees from the University of Toronto (UofT): a BA, BSc in Art as Applied to Medicine, and an MEd and PhD in Higher Education with a specialization in health professions education and computer applications, from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Leila’s doctoral research focused on the design and evaluation of collaborative knowledge building in a palliative care program for family physicians. In 1983, Leila received a part-time appointment as an Assistant Professor in Biomedical Communications, Faculty of Medicine. She also served on the Accreditation Review Committee for the Medical Illustrator of graduate programs in Canada and the United States, for 2 terms (2009-2016), as Commissioner. Over the years Leila won numerous awards in academia, fine art, medical illustration, teaching, research, writing, and the co-creation of various health professional programs. In June 2020, after 37 exceptional years Leila retired from UofT. In her retirement speech she stated, “The creative mind never really retires”.
Leila found her next passion in CHW. Her skills were completely transferable to her volunteer work. Leila believes in tikkun olam, teamwork, and collaborative knowledge building to achieve, impact, and continually improve outcomes – while making great friendships! She is a great champion of our CHW legacy! Leila’s personal legacy is dedicated to her husband, Gary, children, Ryan & Chris, Isaac & Anna, and Ilyse & Jonah and her grandchildren, Stellan, Nora & Ozzy, whom she adores. Her work is in honour of her parents, Bella & Irving Goldstein, who were Holocaust Survivors. Despite the fact that they never had the opportunity to have a higher education, they were able to create successful post-war lives. Leila dedicated to them the 2019 inter-national symposium and 2021 publication of the Journal of Biocommunication Special Issue, titled “Legacies of Medicine in the Holocaust and the Pernkopf Atlas”. Her parents’ strength, kindness, and generosity are the core of her values and inspire her volunteerism. CHW offers us special opportunities to connect and to do mitzvot. Through the collective strengths of our chapter sisterhoods, like-minded leaders at the Centre and National levels, and our outstanding CEO and staff, CHW is growing and addressing essential issues to improve lives. We can be proud of CHW’s historical contributions and energized by its future commitments. Leila and the Toronto Centre Executive are grateful for the opportunity to work with all presidents and their chapters to educate, inspire philanthropy, and support fundraising for much-needed CHW initiatives in Israel and in Canada. Leila thanks the incoming Toronto Centre Executive for their leadership and all volunteers for their dedication to CHW. She looks forward to many future successful collaborations.
incoming
Toronto Centre Executive
Susan Rose P A S T P R E S I D E N T Susan completed her term as Toronto Centre President in September 2026. In her new role as Immediate Past President, Susan is excited to advise and support the new Toronto Centre Executive. Susan comes from a family that has been associated with CHW for generations. She has been a proud member of Toronto Tamid Chapter for almost 30 years where she has held many positions.
She became more involved with CHW during the pandemic when she made wellness calls to members at home. As Vice-President and President, Susan has been involved in many of the city and national fundraisers such as Fashion Blooms acting as a Co-Chair in 2024 and helping to raise much needed funds for our projects in Israel and Canada. It is a pleasure for Susan to volunteer for an organization that does important work in health, education and social services for women and children. She is committed and passionate about helping CHW grow in the years ahead.
Susan has been the Social Committee Co-Chair, Sponsorship Co-Chair of their annual Girl’s Night Out fundraiser, Event Co-Chair when the chapter for the online art auction, and Chapter President.
gail teperman V I C E P R E S I D E N T Gail Teperman is a CPA with an MBA in Finance and an Honours Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology. Her professional experience includes treasury and accounting roles at BMO, Diversey Corporation, The Molson Companies Limited and Coopers & Lybrand. Gail’s commitment to community involvement is central to who she is. She has served as Treasurer of Toronto Lev Zahav Chapter since 2016, she has been an active CHW member since 2007, and she has volunteered with Unity for Autism since 2008.
In 2024, she joined the Board of B’nai Brith, continuing her long-standing dedication to Jewish community life. A member of Beth Tzedec Congregation since childhood, Gail’s connection to her synagogue remains an important part of her identity. When she isn’t volunteering, Gail loves staying active, walking her dog, spending meaningful time with family and friends, travelling and relaxing at her cottage. At the heart of everything she does is her family. Gail is the proud mother of three children, who ground her, motivate her, and bring joy to her life.
incoming
Toronto Centre Executive
shayla gunter-goldstein COMMUNITY OUTREACH & MEMBERSHIP CHAIR Shayla continues in her role as Community Outreach & Membership Chair. The current CHW Toronto Atid Chapter President (and a life member, gifted to her by her Buby), she has served in the role for 25+ years. In 2022, Shayla hosted a sukkah party for prospective members, aimed at growing the chapter. Dozens of prospects attended and either joined Atid Chapter, or were matched with another chapter. This initiative helped increase engagement in CHW, something Shayla is passionate and excited about.
In her first two years on the Toronto Board, Shayla has helped expand CHW further out of the GTA to help connect Jewish women who feel isolated in their communities, such as the west GTA and Mississauga/Oakville and is working on York Region North and Durham Region. Shayla loves meeting and connecting with people, and speaking about the incredible projects of CHW. Over her years in CHW, Shayla has been involved in member communications, Bazaar committees, and most recently in 2023 as Depot Manager for the CHW National Garage Sale in Toronto. Shayla is excited to bring her passion for meeting and talking to people, and spouting the benefits of involvement in CHW to the role of Engagement and Outreach once again.
Cari Weiss ENGAGEMENT & MENTORSHIP CHAIR Cari has been a member of CHW Toronto Tzedakah Chapter for over 30 years and during this time she has held various executive positions within her chapter, including co-chairing programming, mystery night, and the highly successful charity event AT OUR TABLE.
Partners in Art, a charitable organization committed to supporting Canadian contemporary art.
Cari graduated with a law degree from the University of Ottawa and after a few years of practicing law she transitioned into the business world where she focused on licensing in the fashion world and then marketing in the medical device industry.
Cari grew up in a home where volunteerism was a part of her everyday life, having a mother who was a long-time active member of Hadassah. Her father, a survivor of the Holocaust, was brought to Canada as a war orphan through the Canadian Jewish Congress and always instilled in her the desire to give back to the Jewish community that supported him.
Cari joins the CHW Toronto Executive to share her expertise as the former Co-Chair of Membership for
Her vision is to help grow young membership and create a mentorship program for new CHW chapters. She believes strongly that the more engaged and connected individuals are to a charitable organization the more committed the individual will feel towards volunteerism, fundraising, and philanthropy.
incoming
Toronto Centre Executive
Dianne Roebuck
CO M M U N I C AT I O N S C H A I R
Dianne has been a long-standing member of CHW for over 20 years and is currently a member of CHW Toronto Machar Chapter. She has served as co-chair and organizing committee member for Machar Art Experiences for the last seven years.
Throughout her engagement with CHW, she has been a committee member for Girls Night Out and city-wide fundraising events. Her volunteering has extended to Holocaust education at the Toronto Holocaust Museum and working with students and large groups through Friends of Simon Weisenthal. Dianne looks forward to joining the Toronto executive team as Marketing and Communications Chair.
Jen Cooper
YOUNG LEADERSHIP CHAIR
Jen Cooper is BEYOND excited to be making her CHW Toronto Executive debut and inaugurating the role of Young Leadership Chair!! Jen has grown up as a daughter of long-standing CHW Tamid Chapter Member Gail Cooper, and has had the opportunity to volunteer at many Tamid Chapter events over the years. Jen has seen first hand how CHW brings incredible women together and creates such strong & longstanding friendships, so she decided it was time to join a chapter of her own! In January 2025 she joined the CHW Toronto Rimon Chapter and has jumped in full speed ahead! Jen was a delegate of the 2026 Impact Israel Trip and SHE WAS IMPACTED!!
Having the opportunity to see first hand all the incredible projects that CHW funds and the tremendous & unique impact each one has, has propelled her to want to do more! Jen was a Co-Chair for the 2026 CIFW x CHW Fashion Blooms Gift-In-Kind Committee. She currently holds the title of Vice President of the CHW Toronto Rimon Chapter! Along side her fearless leader (and chapter President) Lauren Colt, they are slowly but surely becoming the little chapter that could; constantly recruiting new young members, making our chapter’s presence known, and impact felt! Jen is excited to help bring more young leaders into the CHW fold and can’t wait for an amazing year ahead!!