Sylvain Abitbol receives Samuel Bronfman Medal

Federation CJA held its 105th Annual General Meeting recently and celebrated the achievements of the past year along with its outstanding volunteer leaders. The evening kicked off with greetings from the Consul General of Israel for Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces, Paul Hirschson.

Federation CJA President Joel Segal indicated that the war in Ukraine reminded us of the importance of the Federation System in mobilizing world Jewry in times of crisis. The Samuel Bronfman Medal, the most prestigious award granted by Federation CJA in recognition of extraordinary service and leadership to the Jewish community, was presented to Sylvain Abitbol by Charles and Stephen Bronfman. A
passionate philanthropist, Abitbol has been the President of Federation CJA, Co-President of the Canadian Jewish Congress, President of the Communauté Sépharade Unifée du Quebec, and has been involved with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs since its inception. Yair Szlak, CEO of Federation CJA, highlighted that the community is entering a powerful time in the Jewish calendar, a time for reflection and renewal, and a time that we take stock of the year that was and connect to our hopes and aspirations for the year to come.

By Mike Cohen