Inspired by the legacy of Simon Wiesenthal, FSWC works to build a more inclusive, respectful Canada by sharing the lessons of the Holocaust, advocating for human rights and combatting antisemitism and hate in all its forms.
AN EVENING WITH OCTOBER 29, 2025
CONFRONTING
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is thrilled to present Spirit of Hope 2025, our annual marquee event reflecting the values and work of our organization. In addition to presenting our keynote speakers, Scott Galloway and Van Jones, we are celebrating seven extraordinary men and women who have consistently shown great courage and moral clarity in speaking out against antisemitism and standing up in support of our community. Together, with their laudable principles, they are a source of much-needed light at a time of so much darkness.
This year’s Spirit of Hope is a wonderful opportunity to honour allies. For FSWC, it’s important to demonstrate our collective respect and appreciation for steadfast friends of the Jewish people who have made a real difference in the life of our community. Each of these exemplary allies is a reminder that we are not alone.
• Proceeds from Spirit of Hope will go exclusively to fund FSWC’s educational programs in Canada devoted to the Holocaust, fighting antisemitism and defending human rights.
Dear Friends,
Michael Levitt President and CEO
Fred Waks Chairman of the Board
On behalf of our entire organization, it’s an honour and pleasure for us to welcome you to Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center’s 2025 Spirit of Hope. Thank you for being with us this evening and for your support of the work of FSWC.
Since we last hosted Spirit of Hope a year ago, our community has experienced a decidedly mixed reality. On one hand, Canadian Jews, like many other people, rejoiced earlier this month with the long-prayed-for release of Israeli hostages and an end to the war in Gaza. It was a bitter-sweet moment given the heartwrenching number of those finally brought back to Israel no longer alive, not to mention the slain hostages whose bodies are still missing.
At the same time, the alarming surge in antisemitism that unfolded in Canada in the wake of the Hamas atrocities on October 7, 2023 has continued unabated over the past year. We can only hope that the end to the Gaza war will help reduce the number and virulence of anti-Jewish incidents that our community has painfully been enduring in recent years.
All this makes coming together in unity as a community for an event like Spirit of Hope extremely important and meaningful, maybe even therapeutic. All the more so as we’re joined this evening by many allies from other communities who, during these difficult times, have shown their real colours, standing steadfast in their support for Canadian Jews and denouncing antisemitism when so many people are silent and look the other way.
Each ally is a beacon of friendship, courage and moral clarity. The impact of their solidarity can’t be overstated as it reminds us that for all the anti-Jewish prejudice and hostility infecting Canadian life today, we’re not alone. Far from it.
We’re also thrilled that this year’s Spirit of Hope is hosting, as our keynote speakers, two powerful, incisive voices in standing up against the epidemic of toxic, poisonous antisemitism and anti-Zionism. We’re
fortunate that Scott Galloway and Van Jones both have the courage and conviction to repeatedly take a stand and demonstrate their abhorrence of the pervasive hate targeting Jewish communities. We look forward to hearing them speak in our panel discussion, moderated by leading Canadian journalist Steve Paikin.
We hope this evening will also contribute to your knowledge and understanding of the vital role FSWC plays in our community and beyond in the never-ending fight against antisemitism and other forms of hate and in teaching the always relevant lessons of the Holocaust.
Of course, it wouldn’t be possible without the support and generosity of our many donors for which we want to express our heartfelt appreciation. Please know how much it also inspires everyone at FSWC. That so many people have chosen to be at Spirit of Hope is indicative of the community’s confidence in and support of FSWC and reflects the importance of the values, rights and freedoms that the organization champions day in and day out.
The overwhelming response of our community in support of this evening, and our organization in general, is highly gratifying for both of us and for our incredibly dedicated team at FSWC. Your confidence in FSWC means the world to us.
Thank you again for being here with us tonight and supporting FSWC in its commitment to help make Canada a more tolerant and just society for all.
Wishing you an engaging Spirit of Hope evening and an enjoyable, healthy and rewarding autumn.
Michael Levitt Fred Waks President and CEO Chairman of the Board
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is thrilled to be honouring steadfast allies of the Jewish people.
We are paying tribute to the following individuals whose moral strength and exemplary values are a source of much-needed light at a time of troubling darkness.
is the Director of Faith Community Engagement at the Cardus think tank. Canada’s first Ambassador for Religious Freedom, he’s long been in the forefront of efforts in the Christian community to combat antisemitism and promote Holocaust education.
is a Partner at Masters Insurance where she leads the Commercial/Construction team, fostering industry partnerships. Cathy supports numerous local charitable and community organizations.
is the President and CEO of CIBC and leads a team of over 48,000 team members globally. He has held numerous positions with organizations focused on inclusion, including the Black North Initiative and Catalyst Canada.
is President and CEO of North York General Hospital where, over the past 25 years, he’s served in clinical, administrative and leadership roles and has long volunteered in local, national and global humanitarian organizations.
recently served as Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism and is a former Canadian ambassador to Israel and Afghanistan, with a strong commitment to community support.
is a banking and capital markets professional and an active community volunteer. He’s involved in a variety of fundraising efforts and serves on several not-for-profit boards.
is a Senior Advisor at Oyster Group and Director of Indigenous Affairs and a Senior Fellow at Macdonald-Laurier Institute. She sits on governance and advisory boards of non-profit organizations and works to improve the state of Indigenous communities.
Van Jones is a U.S. media personality, entrepreneur and world-class changemaker. Jones has a rare track record of bringing people together to do hard things – in areas as diverse as clean energy solutions, criminal justice reform and racial inclusion in the tech sector. In 2007, Van was the primary champion of the Green Jobs Act, signed into law by George W. Bush. In 2009, he worked in the Obama White House as the Special Advisor for Green Jobs. In 2018, he helped pass the FIRST STEP Act, signed into law by Donald Trump; the New York Times calls that legislation the most substantial breakthrough in criminal justice in a generation.
In 2021, Van was the first recipient of Jeff Bezos’ Courage & Civility Award. He has since founded Dream Machine Innovation Lab and launched RAPPORT.co, which uses A.I. to increase firms’ EQ. A Yale Law School graduate, Van is a CNN host, an Emmy Award-winning producer, a 3X New York Times best-selling author and the creator of the Van Jones Substack.
Best known for his long career at TVO where he served for nearly 20 years as the host and senior editor of its flagship current affairs program, The Agenda, Steve Paikin is an award-winning Canadian journalist, author and documentary producer. At TVO, he co-hosts a podcast and is a columnist. He’s written nine books, including his most recent, John Turner: An Intimate Biography of Canada’s 17th Prime Minister. As a print and broadcast journalist, he’s long been recognized for his fairness, high standards and keen interviewing skills.
Scott Galloway is Professor of Marketing at NYU’s Stern School of Business and a serial entrepreneur. He was named one of the world’s best business professors by Poets & Quants. Scott has founded nine companies, including Prophet, RedEnvelope, L2, and Section School, where he also teaches. He is the New York Times–bestselling author of The Four, The Algebra of Happiness, Post Corona, Adrift: America in 100 Charts, and The Algebra of Wealth: A Simple Formula for Financial Security. His most recent book, Notes on Being a Man will be released in November 2025. Scott has served on the boards of directors of The New York Times Company, Urban Outfitters, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, Panera Bread, and Ledger. He has won multiple Webby and Best Podcast awards, and his books have been translated into 28 languages. Across his Prof G Pod, Prof G Markets, Raging Moderates, Pivot podcasts, No Mercy / No Malice newsletter, and his YouTube channel, Scott reaches millions.
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center is honoured to have Benjie and Lauren Levy serve as Co-Chairs of this year’s Spirit of Hope.
Benjie is a seasoned business leader with over two decades of experience driving innovation and growth in sports media, technology, and gaming, most recently as President and Chief Operating Officer of theScore. Lauren is an entrepreneur, content creator, and brand builder with over 20 years of marketing experience, who recently co-founded Odd Cookie Snacks.
Together, Benjie and Lauren have championed causes close to their hearts, supporting Jewish advocacy, women’s health, children and nutrition. They are proud and active supporters of Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center and our work fighting antisemitism in Canada.
OCT. 29, 202 5 | TORONTO FOR A BETTER TOMORROW
COMING TOGETHER IN THE STRAIGHT TALK AND INCISIVE COMMENTARY FROM LEADING THINKERS
Welcome from FSWC
Spirit of Hope 2025 Co-Chairs Lauren and Benjie Levy Fred Waks
Remarks from FSWC Chair of the Board
Remarks from the Premier of Ontario
The Honourable Doug Ford
Remarks from the Mayor of Vaughan
A Message from FSWC President and CEO
Special Tribute to Paul Bronfman z”l
Final Tribute to our Honoured Allies
Dinner Tribute to our Honoured Allies
In conversation with VAN JONES AND SCOTT GALLOWAY
His Worship Steven Del Duca Michael
Moderated
by
STEVE PAIKIN
President & CEO
Michael Levitt
Chair of Board of Directors
Fred Waks
Honorary Chairman
Gerald Schwartz, OC
Spirit of Hope 2025 Co-Chairs
Lauren and Benjie Levy
Board of Directors
Ron Baruch
Jim Berk
Lawrence Bloomberg, C.M., O.Ont
Michael Bregman
Jonathan Bronfman
David Cynamon
Gordon R. Diamond, O.C., O.B.C.
Joel Feldberg
Jeremy Freedman
Ron Frisch
Alan Greenberg
Vladislav Khaykin
Sam Mizrahi
Philip Reichmann
Jill Reitman
Gloria Salomon
Molly S. Shoichet, O.C., O.Ont.
Ashley Steinhauer Otto
Eric Weisz
Eddie Weisz
Executive Fundraising Committee Members
Eddie Weisz (Chair)
Ron Baruch
Michael Bregman
David Cynamon
Judith Finer-Freedman
Jill Reitman
Ashley Steinhauer Otto
Fred Waks
Honorary Board Members
Samuel Belzberg z”l
Paul Bronfman z”l
Rabbi Marvin Hier
Rabbi Meyer May
Honey Sherman z”l
Cecil Yolles z”l
Brad Ashley
Gary Bensky
Renette Berman
Judy Betel
Allan Brown
Mel Brown
Milton Davis
Merrick Falkenstein
Alan Farber
Susan Glick
David Glick
Eddie Glick
Michelle Glied-Goldstein
Stuart Golvin
Matt Gottlieb
Allen Grinberg
Carole Gruson
Allen Karp
Stephen Karr
Allan Kates
Helene Korn
Evelyn Krakauer
Jonathan Latsky
Dan Malamet
Israel Mida
Faye Minuk
Pablo Reich
Bob Rubinoff
Richard Sacks
Jack Steckel
Arthur Stern
Richard Wachsberg
Alan Wainer
Lexi Alter
Ashley Rosenberg
Noah Sliwin
Jordana Teperman
Chai Sponsors
Barry and Honey Sherman Legacy Foundation
Bridgegreen Fund
Diamond Foundation
The Gerald Schwartz & Heather Reisman Foundation
The Levy Family Foundation
Platinum Sponsors
Daniel and Marisa Klass
Fred and Linda Waks and Family
Ganz Family Foundation
Paradise Developments
The Joseph Lebovic and Wolf Lebovic
Charitable Foundation
The Paul Bronfman Family Foundation
Gold Sponsors
BMO Private Wealth
CIBC
DBS
Daryl and Derek Erdman and Family
David and Stacey Cynamon and Nancy Pencer
Effort Trust
George and Judy Frankfort and Family
Global, Teknion, Saul z”l and Toby Feldberg and Family
In honour of Willie z”l and Rachelle Moll z”l, both Holocaust survivors
Kohl and Frisch
Larry and Judy Tanenbaum Family Foundation
TD
Trinity
Silver Sponsors
Lionel and Helaine Robins, Michael and Jackie Shulman
David and Bonnie Goldstein
Masters Insurance
Pamela and Paul Austin
The Drimmer Family
The Jeremy and Judith Freedman Family Foundation
The Minnett Foundation
The Moses and Temara Tobe Foundation
The Rovinescu Family Foundation
Weirfoulds LLP
Sapphire Sponsors
Allan and Hinda Silber and Family
Allan and Lisa Brown and Family
Argo
Bazil Developments
Bram and Ilana Belzberg and Family, and Brent and Lynn Belzberg and Family
Converium Capital
Ed and Fran Sonshine
Envoy Holdings
Eph and Shirley Diamond Family
Export Packers
FayLaura Investments
Fogler Rubinoff
GFL
Helaine and Lionel Robins
Kerbel Group
Murchinson
Metropia
Milton Davis and Caroline Pinto
Murchinson
Philip & Hannah Reichmann
RPIA
Robert Rubinoff
Satov
The Shelly Avital Foundation
Shoichet Family
Silvercore Properties
TACC and Fieldgate
The Blidner Family Foundation
Vault Mortgage Corporation
Bronze Sponsors
Adams and Waks
Alexander E. Grossman Foundation
Benjamin and Levitt Families
Cassels
DH Gales Family Foundation
Dentalcorp
Elissa Kline-Beber & Justin Beber
Greenwin
Jill Reitman and Joel Reitman C.M
LiUNA!
Peerage Realty Partners
Sacks Family Foundation and MNP
The Freeman Family
The Ira Gluskin and Maxine Granovsky
Gluskin Charitable Foundation
The Vogue Development Group and The Greenbaum Family
Diamond Sponsors
BAM Foundation
BDO
Capital Canada and Jack Steckel and Family
Cathy Ciccolini and George Ioannides
Dr. Toni Zhong and Dr. Brett Beber
Helene Korn, Stephen Tile and Family
Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites
Karen and Fred Leitner for the Bernard & Norton Wolf Family Foundation
Kent Group
Koffler Family Foundation
Laura Aaron and The Emerson
Family Foundation
Lax O’Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb
Loho Vetz Inc.
Madeleine Venn-Mitchell
Marilyn and Sammy Sliwin and Family
Moez and Marissa Kassam Equity Fund
Myer and Rena Godfrey
Randy & Jenny Frisch
Richter
Sam and Micki Mizrahi and Family
Scotia Wealth Management
Stuart Brotman and Jennifer Sacks and Family
The Brown Group of Companies
The Fine Family
The Prosserman Family
Torkin Manes
Wendy Eisen CM and Elliott Eisen
Emerald Sponsors
Bloombergsen
Elayna and Jonathan Latsky
Fengate
Lynx Equity Income Trust
Mara and Pablo Reich
Mel & Pamela Himel Family Foundation
Michael and Ellen Sitzer and Family
Mitch and Susan Brown
PwC
R.E.L. Group Inc.
Rhonda & Neil Travis and Family
The Lou and Wendy Myles Endowment Fund
Tradelogiq
Ruby Sponsors
Alan and Renee Gozlan
Andrew and Leslie Hoffman and Family
Bert and Karen Amato
David and Miray Granovsky
Dr. Elyse Lackie, North York General Hospital
Dr. George and Lesley Sas
Glenda and Alan Wainer
Howard and Cindy Orfus
Joy Kaufman and Eric Cohen
Laurence and Alison Metrick
Marcy & Leonard Abramsky
Missy Hecker & Mark Greenberg and Family
North York General Hospital Foundation
Oyster Group
Risa and Randy Masters
Patron Sponsors
Barb and Jerry Rosenstein
Brettler Mintz Foundation
Brian Greenspan and Marla Berger
Canderel
David and Lorraine Nakelsky
Debbie Baserman and Mark Boxer
Dr. Carole Gruson and Dr. Charles Goldberg
Drs. Susan and Eddie Glick
Evelyn and Joel Krakauer
Israel Mida and Karen Fainman
Jeff and Tali Baum
Johanna & David Gerofsky
John and Susan Rose
Lorne Cohn and Miriam Blumstock
Marty Kelman and Gilda Tanz
Merrick and Ruth Falkenstein
Ms. Irene Szylinger and Dr. Raphael Hofstein
Robert and Judith Kanee
Rodeen and Steven Stein
Stephen and Suzanne Karr
Inspired by the legacy of Simon Wiesenthal, FSWC works to build a more inclusive, respectful Canada by sharing the lessons of the Holocaust, advocating for human rights and combatting antisemitism and hate in all its forms.