BGU & YOU

22 Ben-Gurion Gala for Sustainability and Climate Change. L-R: Si Brown, Past President of the BC & Alberta chapter; Mark Mendelson, z"l, BGU Canada CEO; Martin Thibodeau, Regional President RBC Royal Bank; BGU President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz; Jack Altman, BGU Canada National President and David Berson, Executive Director, BC & Alberta chapter. Photo: Wendy D

JUN 2022 BGU Canada Vancouver honors Martin Thibodeau BGU Canada in Vancouver held its first gala event in decades. The Ben-Gurion Gala for Sustainability and Climate Change at the Fairmont Pacific Rim honored RBC Royal Bank Regional President, Martin Thibodeau and his leadership in supporting BGU, Israel and the Jewish community. With honorary Co-Chairs, Lorne and Melita Segal, the event featured BGU President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz as its keynote speaker and raised $600,000 to create the RBC Research Fund in Sustainability and Climate Change at BGU. The gala was presented by the Kingswood Group of Companies, with the VIP reception sponsored by InstaFund. Other major sponsors included Arnold and Anita Silber, Harvey and Jody Dales, ABC Recycling, Dayhu Group of Companies, Horatio Kemeny, Adam Korbin and Isabella Bertold, Quay Pacific Property Management and Peartree. After receiving the Ben-Gurion Canada Award for Leadership, Martin Thibodeau announced a major gift to the RBC Research Fund from RBC Royal Bank.

JUN 2022 Montreal Main Event Two hundred and fifty guests gathered for the annual Montreal Main Event featuring a “Night at the Opera” with young performers from the Atelier Lyrique of the Montreal Opera. Cantor Gideon Zelermyer of Montreal’s Congregation Shaar Hashomayim curated the musical program.

BGU President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz gave a videotaped overview of BGU’s strategic plan and Vice President Jeff Kaye was in attendance to thank BGU supporters in the community. All funds raised were earmarked for the Goldman Sonnefeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change.

Night at the Opera in Montreal. L-R: BGU Canada CEO, Mark Mendelson, z”l; Jeff Kaye, BGU VP for Public Affairs & Resource Development; Janis Levine, Montreal Board Member; Sam Cordes, BGU Canada COO; Peggi Cohen-Rabinovitch, Montreal chapter President; BGU Canada National President Jack Altman; Larry Nachshen, Montreal Board Member; Jack Dworkind, Chair of the Main Event 2022; and Simon Bensimon, Executive Director, Montreal & Ottawa. Photo: Howard Kay