Community advisory committee
Rabbi Ed Elkin
Rabbi Ed Elkin has served as the spiritual leader of the First Narayever Congregation since 2000. Hailing from Long Island, NY, Rabbi Elkin received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University, and was ordained from the Hebrew Union College in New York in 1990. He served as a rabbi and teacher in Montreal for several years, and as Hillel Director in Chapel Hill, NC, before moving to Toronto.
Rabbi Ed Elkin has served as the spiritual leader of the First Narayever Congregation since 2000. Hailing from Long Island, NY, Rabbi Elkin received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University, and was ordained from the Hebrew Union College in New York in 1990. He served as a rabbi and teacher in Montreal for several years, and as Hillel Director in Chapel Hill, NC, before moving to Toronto.
Dr. Nora Gold
Dr. Nora Gold is a writer, activist, and the editor of the online literary journal, Jewish Fiction .net. She is a co-founder of three organizations: the New Israel Fund of Canada, Canadian Friends of Givat Haviva, and JSpaceCanada. Currently Gold is the Writer-in-Residence and an Associate Scholar at the Centre for Women's Studies in Education (CWSE) at OISE, University of Toronto. Her recently published Fields of Exile has received international acclaim. noragold.com
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Dr. Nora Gold is a writer, activist, and the editor of the online literary journal, Jewish Fiction .net. She is a co-founder of three organizations: the New Israel Fund of Canada, Canadian Friends of Givat Haviva, and JSpaceCanada. Currently Gold is the Writer-in-Residence and an Associate Scholar at the Centre for Women's Studies in Education (CWSE) at OISE, University of Toronto. Her recently published Fields of Exile has received international acclaim. noragold.com
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Rabbi Jordan Helfman
Rabbi Jordan Helfman is the Assistant Rabbi at Holy Blossom Temple where in addition to his regular rabbinic duties he oversees programming for members from newborns to parents and all of the many stages in-between. A member of the World Union of Progressive Judaism general assembly and of the Limmud Chevruta team, Rabbi Helfman believes that learning with individuals from different cultures provides the building-blocks for understanding. He has a BA in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy from Michigan State University, and an MA in Hebrew Letters from the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion.
Rabbi Jordan Helfman is the Assistant Rabbi at Holy Blossom Temple where in addition to his regular rabbinic duties he oversees programming for members from newborns to parents and all of the many stages in-between. A member of the World Union of Progressive Judaism general assembly and of the Limmud Chevruta team, Rabbi Helfman believes that learning with individuals from different cultures provides the building-blocks for understanding. He has a BA in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy from Michigan State University, and an MA in Hebrew Letters from the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion.
Ahmed Khalifa
Ahmed is a first generation Canadian Arab, who is passionate about equality and human rights. At the heart of interest to him is the rights of visible minorities in Canada, Copts in Egypt, and Palestinian Arabs in Israel.
Ahmed is a first generation Canadian Arab, who is passionate about equality and human rights. At the heart of interest to him is the rights of visible minorities in Canada, Copts in Egypt, and Palestinian Arabs in Israel.
Dr. Karen Mock - Committee Chair and Steering Committee Liaison
Dr. Karen Mock is a human rights consultant, educational psychologist and teacher educator, and has been involved with Heart to Heart since its inception. She is former Executive Director of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, former National Director of the League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith Canada, and Past Chair of Canadian Friends of Haifa University. Considered a pioneer in the field, she is a founding active member of the Anti-Racist Multicultural Education Network of Ontario, the Women’s Interfaith Dialogue, the Canadian Association of Jews and Muslims, and the Arab Jewish Leadership Dialogue Group; and she is presently the President of JSpaceCanada.
Dr. Karen Mock is a human rights consultant, educational psychologist and teacher educator, and has been involved with Heart to Heart since its inception. She is former Executive Director of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, former National Director of the League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith Canada, and Past Chair of Canadian Friends of Haifa University. Considered a pioneer in the field, she is a founding active member of the Anti-Racist Multicultural Education Network of Ontario, the Women’s Interfaith Dialogue, the Canadian Association of Jews and Muslims, and the Arab Jewish Leadership Dialogue Group; and she is presently the President of JSpaceCanada.
Azim Shamshiev
Azim Shamshiev has been involved with the Intercultural Dialogue Institute GTA since 2008. He was appointed as the Executive Vice President of the Institute in 2012. Azim is an active member of the National Muslim Christian Liaison Committee and the Canadian Association of Jews and Muslims. He is also a board member of the Faith and Common Good, an interfaith organization that helps faith communities make the connection between their faith and care for the environment.
Azim Shamshiev has been involved with the Intercultural Dialogue Institute GTA since 2008. He was appointed as the Executive Vice President of the Institute in 2012. Azim is an active member of the National Muslim Christian Liaison Committee and the Canadian Association of Jews and Muslims. He is also a board member of the Faith and Common Good, an interfaith organization that helps faith communities make the connection between their faith and care for the environment.
Imam Hamid Slimi
Dr. Hamid Slimi is the Imam, Resident Scholar and Founder of Sayeda Khadija Centre. He has been serving as an Imam, Chaplain, Educator and Consultant in Canada for over 17 years in different religious and educational institutions. He is also the Founder and President of Faith of Life Network and the former Chairman of the Canadian Council of Imams, as well as author of many writings and publications.
Dr. Hamid Slimi is the Imam, Resident Scholar and Founder of Sayeda Khadija Centre. He has been serving as an Imam, Chaplain, Educator and Consultant in Canada for over 17 years in different religious and educational institutions. He is also the Founder and President of Faith of Life Network and the former Chairman of the Canadian Council of Imams, as well as author of many writings and publications.