The Board of Directors
Dan Levy
An alumnus of MECh’s founding Board of Directors, I’m excited to step back in and help lead us through our next stage of growth and sustainability. My favourite MECh memories include co-organizing cultural salons around topics like circumcision and self-hatred, and our epic Purim parties. A fifth-generation Montrealer, I feel lucky to be part of such a vibrant and inclusive community rooted in the neighbourhood of my forebearers.
In his civilian life, Dan is a writer, father, and strategic communications professional.
Daniel Seligman
I have a degree in religious studies from McGill University, which is where I first met our spiritual leader Rachel Kronick, back in the 1990s, and i have been involved with MECh in one way or another since it began over 10 years ago. I am deeply connected to the Montreal cultural and music scene and I am eager to use my experience in organizing events and working within the diverse landscape of the Montreal arts scene towards helping MECh continue to grow as an important community institution in Montreal.
Dan is a music manager, most notably for Jewish hip hop wizard Socalled. He is a co-founder of the POP Montreal Music Festival and is the festival’s creative director
Joseph Rosen
I was raised in a traditional Jewish atmosphere filled with ambivalence and self-hatred. I dropped out of university and ended up studying with Rabbis in Jerusalem, but never found a community I felt I belonged to. When I went to the first MECh High Holidays, I realized that you never find your ideal community: you can only create it. I joined the Board in 2012, and have always loved the creative, participatory nature of the community. Early highlights for me were lively Salon discussions, ‘Latkes & Vodka’ parties, and Seders with guests from ‘No One is Illegal’ and ‘Idle No More.’ But of course my all-time favorite event was my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah—it felt so meaningful to be surrounded by real community. I’m excited to re-join the Board and help MECh continue shaping Jewish life in Montreal.
Joseph is a prof at Dawson College, and moonlights as a writer for magazines and newspapers.
Luna Woolf
Together with her family, Luna has been an active member of the Mile End Chavurah for more than 5 years, engaging with the JEDI and B-Mitz programs, as well as many other activities. She is honoured to be joining the board at this exciting time in the evolution of our warm and remarkable community.
Luna is a composer, dramaturg, recording producer and music publisher. Her works in opera and contemporary music have been nominated for GRAMMY, JUNO and Dora awards, and she has produced recordings for the PENTATONE, Atma, Analekta and Leaf labels. As dramaturg and teacher she has collaborated with Musique 3 Femmes, the National Theater School of Canada and others. An innovator in the Classical music recording industry, she is President and co-founder of Oxingale Productions, Inc., a boutique label and music publisher.
Ruth Wikler
I’m a new Montrealer (and resident of Canada!), have been so happy to find the MECh community, and look forward to contributing to its development through serving on the Board. I’m a mom of two amazing kids, Julian (nearly teen) and Nadine (tween). I’ve worked (and served on boards) in the non-profit sector throughout my career and volunteered in various ways for other Jewish communities I’ve been involved with, so I’m excited to link the two and learn a lot along the way. Thanks to fellow Board members (and Social Justice Action Committee members) for the warm welcome thus far!
Ruth is the Deputy Director of Programming for Circus at TOHU and the Montréal Completement Cirque Festival.
Sara Laimon
My family and I – Jonathan, Rachel and Toby Kimmelman – have been longstanding members of Mile End Chavurah, even though we live in NDG. Rachel had the honour of being the first Bat Mitzvah of the Chavurah; what a joy to see how many B’nei Mitzvot have followed! Rachel and Toby have for many years offered an arrangement of Kol Nidre that I made for them when they were very young; needless to say it has very much grown with and by them throughout the years. Originally from Vancouver, I arrived in Montreal (via 14 years in the United States, and one year in Winnipeg!) in Fall of 2001. I joined the Board only recently as a replacement and have been happy to meet other members of the Board with whom I previously had no contact.
Sara is a Professor of Piano at McGill’s Schulich School of Music and Director of the McGill Conservatory of Music.
Board Alumni
Adam Bright
Adam Sargon
Andrea Robbins
Anique Vered
Auriel Manolson
Ben Yunis
Benji Loomer
Cara Leibovitz
Carine Elkouby
Dan Levy
Diana Yaros
Elizabeth Moorhouse-Stein
Erica Lehrer
Eva Margo-Dermer
Gueula Rabkin
Isaac Stethem
Jacqueline Celemencki
Joseph Rosen
Julia Appel
Layla Dabby
Leah Vineberg
Lisa Goldman
Melanie Leavitt
Mindy Stricke
Myrite Rotstein
Nancy Rotman
Peter Horowitz
Rachel K
Rimma Orenman
Rodney Handelsman
Samara Yesovitch
Sarah Leila Manolson
Saul Carliner
Shira Gilbert
Sofia Danna
Stephanie Marchal
Steve McFadden
Steven Schnoor
Tamara Kramer
Vera Kisfalvi
Yaakov Stern