Brian is a former tax partner with the Toronto office of the global law firm Baker McKenzie, and the former financial administrative partner of the office. Brian has considerable experience advising in the area of registered charities and was instrumental in establishing and, for many years, advising one of Toronto’s important cultural institutions.

In 2018, Brian chaired the committee that drafted the new constitution for Beth Tzedec, the first major revision to the firm’s constitution in over 60 years.

Brian is married to Roslyn Levine. They are longstanding members of Beth Tzedec. Both their sons had their B’nei Mitzvah at Beth Tzedec.

Mitch recently retired as Senior Partner at Alpha Financial Markets Consulting, following a career in strategic consulting focused on performance management, operations strategy, and process design. A CPA, CA, he also teaches Operations Strategy in the MBA program at the Rotman School of Management.

At Beth Tzedec where he is currently Chair and co-leads our Strategic Visioning initiatives, he has guided Digital Transformation efforts, chaired the Ritual Committee and co-chaired the Cantor Search Committee. He and his wife Anne—members for over 40 years—were early participants in the Little Minyan, where their three children became b’nei mitzvah. Now proud grandparents, they are dedicated to helping Beth Tzedec thrive for future generations.

Daniel is the proud husband of Erin Bobkin, who is also a Beth Tzedec volunteer, and the father of two young boys, who are proud consumers of cookies at kiddush. A recent graduate of Beth Tzedec’s inaugural class of “Sulam for Emerging Leaders”, Daniel now sits on the Family Engagement Committee and is a regular volunteer with Little Minyan. He is passionate about engaging young families and helping people find meaning in Jewish communal life.

In his spare time, Daniel practices regulatory and competition law for a telecommunications company.

Pearl Gropper Berman has spent the majority of her personal and professional life involved with the Jewish community. She has been the Executive Director of The Canadian Friends of the Israel Museum since 2012, and prior to that was the Assistant Executive Director of Hillel of Greater Toronto.

Pearl obtained a joint MSW/MA in Jewish Studies from the University of Maryland. She is a lifelong Beth Tzedec member, and together with her husband Drew has raised three children who have graduated from RHA, Heschel and TanenbaumCHAT.

Pearl has also been involved with Camp Ramah in Canada and is looking forward actively contributing to Beth Tzedec’s continued relevance, growth and development.

Paul is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Business Valuator. He currently works at MNP LLP as a senior valuation partner. He has been a member of Beth Tzedec since he was married by Rabbi Frydman-Kohl in 1999. With four children, he still finds time to bike with Rabbi Wernick.

He was the past treasurer and board member at Robbins Hebrew Academy and is currently the only non-engineer board member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario

Don came from Montreal where he returns regularly to see his beloved grandchildren. His career has been in sales, sales/general managementand as a business owner. His personal time has been in volunteer work in men’s shelters, penitentiaries and rehabs, and golf. A Jew–by–Choice, Don’s conversion was under Rabbi Adam Cutler and he has been a Beth Tzedec member since then. Don is immediate past President of Ansh-eh Zafon Region of the FJMC and co-chairs our building committee. He has been in Out of the Cold since joining Beth Tzedec. He is a proud member of Little Minyan, and most important, happily married to his best friend, Lianne Eklove.

Corinne Promislow has a Master of Education from York University. She retired in June 2023, as an Elementary Principal after working over 30 years in the Toronto District School Board.  Currently, Corinne works at Bright North Studios as a producer on several documentary TV series.

Corinne is the co-author of the children’s book “What Does Hate Look Like?”

Corinne has worked in Holocaust Education in her roles with the TDSB, Liberation 75 and USC Shoah Foundation.

Currently, Corinne is on the Board Executive as Chair of the Ritual Committee.  She was also the Co-Chair of the Cantor Search committee. She also works on several other projects and committees, including the Visioning Committee.

You can see Corinne most Shabbat mornings, greeting congregants at the door.

Corinne has been a member of Beth Tzedec since she was a child and was Junior Congregation President when she was 10 years old. She is excited to be continuing her mother’s legacy as a member of the Board.

Jacob is thrilled to be able to give back to Beth Tzedec and help represent the Generations members in the community. He has been a proud member of the Synagogue since 1992. Jacob has learned in the congregational school and high school programs at BT, and is a former member of the Beth Tzedec choir. In his professional life, Jacob is the founder at Citron Insurance, helping Candians protect the things that matter most. He also works as a Site Reliability Engineer in the tech sector. Jacob has had the privilege of running the Univox community choir in Toronto for six years. He also spent two years as the President of the University of Guelph’s Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter before representing all the Canadian brothers while working for the fraternity in 2014/15.

Bruce Elman served as Professor and Dean of Law at the University of Windsor from 2000-2011. He continued to serve as a member of the Faculty, teaching in the areas of Constitutional Law and Professional Responsibility until July 2020, when he was named Professor of Law Emeritus. In addition to his academic responsibilities, he served six years (2012-2018) as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Law Commission of Ontario. In June 2018, the Law Society of Ontario awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.).

Prior to coming to Windsor, Professor Elman was the Belzberg Professor of Constitutional Law (1996-2000) and Chair of the Centre for Constitutional Studies (1984-2000) at the University of Alberta. Professor Elman has also held several Visiting Professorships—at the Faculty of Law and the Centre for the Legal Profession at the University of Toronto in 2011-2012, at Niigata University in Niigata, Japan in 1994, and at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1988-1989 and 1995-96. He was also a Visiting Scholar at Stanford Law School (1981-1982).

Bruce grew up in Sydney, Nova Scotia, where his family belonged to the Temple Sons of Israel Synagogue (Conservative). Bruce received his Jewish education from the legendary Rabbi Israel Kenner ^z”l. Bruce was the founding Rosh Machar (1969-1971) and the Director of Camp Kadimah in 1972 and 1973. In Edmonton, Bruce was President of Congregation Beth Shalom (Conservative). He also served as President of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton and as Chair of the UJA/UIA Campaign. Bruce was named the Jewish National Fund Edmonton Negev Dinner Honouree in June 1998. In Windsor, Bruce was the Vice President (Ritual) at Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue (Orthodox). Until recently, Bruce served as a member of the Academic Advisory Committee for the Halbert Centre for Canadian Studies at Hebrew University.

Jerry has been an active member of Beth Tzedec since 1977. He was an early participant in the Beth Tzedec Men’s Club and has served as treasure for close to 20 years, and now serves as the Men’s Club representative on the Board of Directors.

Jerry also has been the leader of shiva services in homes. He also has had the privilege of arranging and being the cantor for the Sunnybrook Hospital Shabbat Services for the Jewish War Veterans and Jewish permanent residents.

Jerry was the representative for Beth Tzedec in the Neighbourhood Interfaith Group for over 15 years and served as the Chair of the Board of the NIG.

Marice has been member of Beth Tzedec since 2017 with her husband Benjamin and their two young daughters. She is enthusiastic about contributing to the Beth Tzedec community and most recently served on the Associate Rabbi Search Committee.

Marice holds Master of Social Work degree from Carleton University and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. She has served in several positions at Jewish Family & Child including Child Protection Worker, Hospice Social Worker as well as working with adoptive and foster parents. Prior to JF&C, she worked at SickKids in the Child Abuse and Neglect program and the NICU.

Avi Hyman is an anthropologist and historian, technologist, writer and educator, who recently concluded a multi-decade career in administrative roles, particularly related to technology (including artificial intelligence), at the University of Toronto.

He is an adjunct professor in the Department of Leadership, Higher & Adult Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, and is currently working on a number of research projects about technology in education, and about Jewish life in Toronto.

A long-time member of Beth Tzedec who attends services and shul programming regularly, Avi has extensive experience volunteering with various community organizations, including Camp Ramah in Canada, the Avenue Road Hockey Association, B’nai Brith, Humber River Regional Hospital, and with a variety of professional technology-related associations. He has also had previous stints on a variety of Beth Tzedec committees, including membership, cemetery, museum, and as a previous chair of the library committee.

Avi and Heidi are the proud parents of three adult children raised at Beth Tzedec, USDS/RHA, and CHAT. The Hyman family is very, very, familiar with life in the shul.

Jennifer is co-chair of Beth Tzedec’s REDI (anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) Committee, and is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community at Beth Tzedec for all members and their loved ones.  She can be found at Family Programming events with her husband, Corey, and two young kids, as well as at weekly congregational school drop-off and pickup.  In her professional life, Jennifer is a corporate lawyer with a Canadian telecommunications company, where she is also active in the EDI space.

Azadeh de Leon is a media executive and community leader known for her ability to build, and scale high-performing organizations while fostering meaningful community impact.

Since moving to Canada in 2004 and rebuilding her life in Toronto with her family, Azadeh has established herself as a respected leader in the global media industry. She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of Bright North Studios, where she drives operational strategy, financial performance, and production across an international portfolio of premium TV content.

With more than 15 years of experience, Azadeh has overseen $30M+ production portfolios, optimized financing models to significantly increase profitability, and implemented operational methods that enhance long-term growth. She is widely recognized for her ability to bridge creative vision with business strategy.

Beyond her professional achievements, Azadeh is deeply committed to community leadership and Jewish life. Since becoming a member of Beth Tzedec Congregation in 2021, she has rapidly become an engaged presence within the synagogue. What began as a simple first visit evolved into a transformative journey for her and her family, one that reshaped their connection to Jewish identity, tradition, and community.

Azadeh took on a leadership role as Co-Chair of the Little Minyan, where she helped cultivate an inclusive, accessible space for learning and connection. Her commitment extends beyond participation; she actively seeks opportunities to foster belonging and support the next generation of families within the community.

As Co-Chair of Beth Tzedec’s 70^th Anniversary fundraising initiative, Azadeh worked closely with fellow congregants, building connections and inspiring collective support for an important milestone in the synagogue’s history.

Her connection to Israel was further deepened through her first visit as part of a Beth Tzedec mission, where she worked alongside fellow members in meaningful acts of service and solidarity. That experience reinforced her belief in the importance of shared responsibility, and global Jewish connection.

As a parent raising her children within Beth Tzedec, Azadeh is passionate about ensuring the synagogue’s continued growth. She brings a forward-looking mindset rooted in inclusivity, and respect for tradition. Her leadership style is defined by collaboration, and a strong commitment to building lasting impact.

She brings to everything she does a strong belief in the importance of creating space for new voices, and a deep commitment to ensuring that other Jewish families can find their way in and feel at home.

Steven is currently Vice-President Research and Innovation and a Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto. He is also Professor Emeritus in Environmental Studies, and a former Vice Principal of Research, at Queen’s University, Kingston. A distinguished researcher, Steven has made significant contributions to advancing university education and research across Canada and globally.

Steven has strongly supported Canada-Israel collaborations and engagement across the innovation ecosystem. In 2019-2020, he served in Tel Aviv as an advisor to Canada’s Ambassador to Israel, Deborah Lyons.

Steven has extensive experience on matters of leadership, governance and strategic planning. He has a strong interest in the long-term sustainability of Beth Tzedec and the shul’s leadership across the Jewish Community in Toronto, across the country, and in Conservative Judaism globally. He and his family have been long-time members of Beth Tzedec. He and his wife, Susan Kendal Liss, enjoy a very busy life with their children and grandchildren.

A member of Beth Tzedec since her marriage to Lawrie Lubin in 1970, Ruthann currently serves as co-president of the Beth Tzedec Sisterhood and as the Sisterhood representative to the Board of Directors. She has been a member of Sisterhood since 1990 and is a past member and chair of the Youth and Education Committee, a past member of the Rabbinical Search Committee and the Membership Committee. She worked as a Law Clerk for her late brother for over 26 years. Ruthann is the proud mother of Miriam, Marc and Aleeza, all graduates of USDA (now RHA) and CHAT, mother-in-law of Shane Grosman and Bubbie to Hannah and Maya Grosman and Eliya and Noam Lubin.

Earl and his wife Joanne have been members of Beth Tzedec for over 40 years. Both of their daughters were Bat Mitzvahed at Beth Tzedec.

Earl has been a member of the Adult Education Committee for a number of years, and he is a member of the Ritual Committee.

As a current member of the Board of Directors, Earl wants to ensure that Beth Tzedec is a welcoming synagogue while maintaining the values our founders have set for us.

Sara Urowitz is a senior leader with deep experience in research, strategy, and health system transformation. She brings expertise in strategic planning, evaluation, and policy development, with a strong focus on impact and collaboration.

A committed Jewish leader across every stage of life, Sara is an active member of the Little Minyan and values being part of a multigenerational Beth Tzedec community alongside her parents and young adult children.

Beth Tzedec has always been an integral part of Arlyn’s life, where she married Danny 40 years ago and celebrated their six sons’ bar mitzvahs. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and working in brokerage firms, she transitioned to volunteer work. With children at USDS, her involvement grew to serving as president of the Parent’s Association and as a member of the Board of Directors.

As Arlyn became more involved at Beth Tzedec, her commitment included service on the Cantorial Search Committee, Assistant Rabbi Search Committee, and Rav Baruch Frydman-Kohl’s Gala celebration committee. She also served as co-chair of the 11^th annual

Mother’s Day Chai Tea and Co-Chair of the 70th Anniversary Gala celebrations. This is her seventh year on the Board of Directors, where she also serves as chair of the Membership Engagement Committee.