Although both of our families were strongly connected to their respective Jewish communities, and we were both raised to exemplify core Jewish values, the October 7th massacre changed everything for us. It crystallized our thinking and became the catalyst for our recent philanthropic decisio…
My grandmother, Annie Engel’s, motto was, “you go, you get!”
It is an aphorism I took to heart when I became involved in fundraising. I have learned that it’s crucial to ask, and the worst someone will say is “no!”
I was raised by a very philanthropic father, William (Bill) Eng…
The Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School, founded in 1998, is a relatively young organization that carries with it a rich history and contributes to the wonderful collection of stories that make up our Toronto Jewish community. Our school is a dynamic entity that fuels the pulse of a vibran…
L’chol eesh yesh shem - Every man has a name. This is the title of a well-known poem written by Israeli poet Zelda and is recited annually on Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is precisely for this reason that I am inscribing my beloved parents’ names in the Book of Life. One…
My mission in life has been to share my story to better our world. It is a straightforward goal but it is laden with challenge. At age 15, I became a victim of Nazi oppression and persecution. I was violently forced from my home in Hungary on the first night of Passover, 1944. I was subseque…
