Our joint UJA Federation Synagogue initiative examines the ways in which Israel is woven into our Synagogue's services, educational programming and other activities, and develops ways to acknowledge, broaden and deepen those connections. We offer many opportunities for all ages to engage with various aspects of Israel. Look for the Israeli Flag on events and programs, and check the listings on this page.
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, joins Deborah Lyons, Canada’s Ambassador to Israel, and Marc-Andre Blanchard, Canada’s Ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, in conversation about Israel issues and the Canada-Israel relationship, moderated by Professor Irving Abella, president of the Royal Society of Canada.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite or call 416-781-3511.
Presented by:
The Sam & Sarah Kerzner and Joseph Kerzner Holocaust Memorial Lectures
Beth Tzedec Congregation
Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue
Media Sponsor:
Canadian Jewish News
Promotional partners:
Adath Israel, ARZA Canada, B'nai Brith, Beth Torah, Canadian Zionist Federation, CIJA, Congregation Beth HaMinyan, First Narayever, Friends of Simon Weisenthal Centre, Holy Blossom, The Israel Connection, Mercaz-Masorti, Shaarei Shomayim, Toronto Board of Rabbis and UJA Federation
Proceeds support the Israel Scholarship Program at Beth Tzedec
Out of respect for our special guests, audio, digital and video recording/streaming is NOT permitted.
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre in a by-election in November 2013 and then re-elected in October 2015 as the Member of Parliament for University–Rosedale. Between November 2015 and January 2017, she served as Canada’s 18th Minister of International Trade. An esteemed journalist and author, Ms. Freeland was born in Peace River, Alberta. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University before continuing her studies on a Rhodes Scholarship at the University of Oxford.
Deborah Lyons, Canada's ambassador to Israel since 2016, has served as ambassador to Afghanistan and deputy ambassador in Washington, DC. Prior to joining Global Affairs Canada, she served in the Department of Natural Resources, Privy Council Office and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Ambassador Lyons is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick and attended Canada's National Defence College.
Marc-Andre Blanchard, Ambassador and permanent representative of Canada to the United Nations, was appointed to the UN in New York in 2016. In 2017, he was named as a member of Canada’s North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Council. From 2010-2016 he was Chairman and CEO of McCarthy Tétrault, one Canada’s national law firms. He was awarded the distinction of Advocatus Emeritus by the Quebec Bar Association. Mr. Blanchard is a graduate of the Université de Montréal, the London School of Economics and Columbia University.
Professor Irving Abella, president of the Academy of the Arts
and Humanities of the Royal Society of Canada, is a Canadian educator, author and writer. He is
is the past J. Richard Shiff Chair of Canadian
Jewish History at York University and the Distinguished Senior Fellow of
Canadian Studies at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Abella has
has lectured at many of the world’s leading
universities including Harvard, Yale, Oxford, Cambridge, Duke, University of
California at Berkeley, Hebrew University and Stanford, and was awarded
a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Samuel Bronfman Medal for contributions
to the Jewish Community of Canada as well as the lifetime achievement award by the
Association of Canadian Jewish Studies.
April 24 to May 1, 2023 | Israel
The Ultimate Journey of Celebration—Join UJA and our Jewish community members for an unforgettable journey. Israel is reaching the milestone of its 75th anniversary and we want you to join us for this historic celebration. Whether you’ve been to Israel once or a hundred times, this trip has some truly special programming that will have you experiencing the country in a whole new way – while making memories for a lifetime with Jews from across Canada.
“This is not the Israel trip your parents and grandparents went on with UJA. This is Israel 75. And it’s going to be extraordinary.”
Zak Goldman, Gayle Goldgut, Sara Zagdanski and Evan Green
Chairs, UJA’s Israel 75 Mission
For more information or to register, click here>>
Trip dates: February 26 – March 6, 2023
An Interfaith Study Tour of Jewish, Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land—Jews, Christians and Muslims live and journey together as an interfaith community to encounter three faiths, two peoples and one land. Participants will visit sites sacred to each tradition, exploring the historical, geographical, religious and political complexities of the land and its people. We welcome inquiry of one another and how the Holy One is revealed in the Abrahamic traditions.
Our leaders include local and international Christian, Muslim and Jewish teachers and skilled guides. Students will gain insights into their own and other faith traditions, scriptural reasoning and experience the intensity and hospitality of the land and form friendships to support greater interfaith understanding in home communities.
Group leaders include Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl, Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton and Shayk Ibrahim Mogra. For information or to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/sharing-perspectives-2023