Medical Assistance in Dying: A Conversation Across Law, Medicine and Faith

Join us as Beth Tzedec hosts a Symposium on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)—exploring its legal, medical and halakhic perspectives. Experts Zohar Levy, Dr. Sandy Buchman and Rabbi Steve Wernick will lead a thought-provoking roundtable discussion.

Let’s learn together, ask questions and gain insight into this complex and important topic.

Cost: $20. Pre-registration is required. To register, click HERE.

Dr. Sandy Buchman is a palliative care physician and Professor in the Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. He served as the Freeman Family Chair in Palliative Care and Medical Director of the Freeman Centre for the Advancement of Palliative Care at North York General Hospital in Toronto since 2019 and retired from his practice in palliative and end of life care in June 2025. From 2005-2019 he practiced palliative and end of life care with the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Sinai Health System in Toronto. He has also worked as palliative care physician in the Palliative Care and Education for the Homeless (PEACH) program.

He practiced comprehensive Family Medicine for many years with special interest in Social Accountability, Primary Care Cancer Care, Palliative Care, HIV/AIDS and Global Health—including volunteer experiences in South America and Africa. He is a founder and medical lead of a new hospice residence (Neshama) in North York opening in 2026. He also co-founded MAIDHouse, an independent facility in Toronto for the provision of medical assistance in dying.

He has served as President of the Ontario College of Family Physicians, the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Canadian Medical Association. He was invested as a member of the Order of Canada in December 2024.

Zohar Levy is an experienced civil litigator, with expertise in health law. She has been a member of the board of directors of MAiDHouse for several years, where she has helped the organization in its mission of providing those eligible to receive medical assistance in dying (MAiD) with a supportive, inclusive and comfortable setting. MAiDHouse’s work is driven by its commitment to enhancing the end-of-life experience for eligible individuals and their support networks.

In her day job, Zohar Levy employs a deliberate, measured approach to a broad range of commercial litigation, alternative dispute resolution matters, and class actions for a diverse array of clients. Financial institutions, multinational corporations and regulated professionals alike rely on Zohar’s advice, knowledge, and advocacy at all levels of court. Zohar has particularly extensive experience with disputes in the health, technology, and intellectual property domains, and enjoys applying her considerable problem solving skills to disputes between shareholders, founders and executives. She has appeared before all levels of court including the Supreme Court of Canada and Ontario Court of Appeal.