2013 Honourees

3 children: Michael married to Ella - granchildren Benjamin and Bella; Sari married to Warren - grandchildren Brandon, Kaitlyn and Lexi; and Matthew married to Carly

Alan: Born and raised Midland, Ontario. Fifth of five sons of Sadie and Meyer Mostyn, both of blessed memory. Midland - Penetanguishene District High School, 1966 University College, University of Toronto, B.Com, 1970 Faculty of Law, Queen’s University at Kingston, JD, 1973 Member of the Law Society of Upper Canada from 1975 to present date Partner at Mostyn & Mostyn, Barristers & Solicitors, where he practiced with his brother Louis from 1975 - 2010 Past President Toronto Jewish Free Loan 1991-1993 Received “Shem Tov” Volunteer Recognition Award from Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto, 2002 Received President’s Award from the Men’s Service Group, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, 2002 Appointed as a member to the Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal and served as the Chair at Brampton, 2006 Presently retired, and enjoying his family and trips to the cottage in the Kawarthas.

Sheila: Born and raised in Toronto, eldest of three daughters of Rose of blessed memory and Jack Schwartz. Elementary School teacher 1968 -1973 President of Avenue Road Hockey League 1979 - 1989 Sisterhood President , Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue, 1987-1989 President of National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, Toronto Section 1999-2001 Co-Chair of the Passover Food Drive NCJWC, Toronto Section 2004 -2006 President of NCJWC,TS Foundation 2009 to 2013. Co-Chair of the Housing Network of B’nai Brith Canada 2012 to date. Diamond Jubilee Recipient in recognition of HRH Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th year of reign..

Mrs. Eva Schloss is a trustee of the Anne Frank Educational Trust, has published two books and is the subject of James Still’s play "And then they came for me: Remembering the world of Anne Frank". Like her step-sister, Eva went into hiding in Holland and was betrayed, captured and sent to the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. Listen to a first hand account of the discovery and printing of Anne Frank’s famed diary and glean insight into the life and times of Eva Schloss and Anne Frank.

Together with her husband Zvi, Mrs. Schloss currently resides in London, England. She has three children and five grandchildren.

The newest music sensation to hit the Israeli scene is Gad Elbaz.  He has already conquered the charts with number one hits such as “Halayla Zeh Hazman”, “Or”, “Al Neharot Bavel” and most recently “Jerusalem” the new hit single from his upcoming album.

Gad Elbaz was born in Tel Aviv on 1982. He began to sing and write music at the age of four. He first appeared with his father Benny Elbaz, a popular Israeli singer, accompanying him on the song “Father, I Love You”which was a big hit in Israel. When Gad was nine, his family became observant and he has continued keeping his faith and beliefs which are evident in his performances today.

Gad recorded a few albums with his father and later broke out on his own to a successful solo career, with seven additional recordings. Four of his albums, titled “Meanings” (2005), “Almost Quiet” (2006), “Between the Drops” (2008) and “A part of me” (2011), have climbed high on the charts and sold over 100,000 copies in Israel alone.

In 2008 Gad Elbaz made history by being the first Jewish religious singer to perform a sold out show in the famous roman amphitheater in Caesarea. Currently, Gad is releasing a new album which will be accompanied by a world tour. Another project in the making is the unique recording of an album dedicated to the city of Jerusalem hosted and honored by Israeli president Shimon Peres.

Gad’s music features catchy original tunes attracting both the observant and secular listener. His songs integrate ballads and harmonies, Arab rhythms and a touch of modern pop with original texts.

Gad’s voice is a rare gift. He hopes to share this gift with his fans to help empower them to live their lives with an open heart, faith in themselves and faith in God. His goal is to help people keep the faith through music. Gad believes that music can help bridge the gap between different people’s viewpoints in life.

Gad is now expanding his horizons by coming to the United States, Europe and Asia performing before young and adult audiences with the hope of reaching new communities and sharing his convictions in and knowledge of Judaism and Israel. He believes that “music is the pen of the soul”. 

Moroccan born Aaron Bensoussan is part of a prominent rabbinic dynasty. His grandfather, Rabbi Haim David Bensoussan, was the chief Rabbi of Morocco while his great grandfather, Rabbi Avraham Bensoussan, was one of the most revered Rabbis to emerge from the city of Fez. According to the Encyclopedia Judaica, the Bensoussan family traces back to Rabbi Yehuda Bensoussan, a teacher of Maimonides.

Cantor Bensoussan studied the art of Sephardic liturgical music and piyutim from his father and master musicians in Morocco. He moved to New York at the age of 14 to study in Yeshiva. Yet his family’s rabbinic plans for him were changed the moment he was exposed to the beautiful art of Ashkenazic hazzanut. When he heard Yossele Rosenblatt for the first time he knew that he wanted to be a Hazzan. Still, the hauntingly beautiful Piyutim and Makamat (Modes) of his youth remained firmly etched in a special place in his heart and soul. Aaron has a unique ability to combine both Ashkenazic and Sephardic music to create his own unique and intoxicating soulful sound.

As Aaron likes to say, “Who says you can’t enjoy some good couscous with a nice schmaltz herring.” He has toured extensively throughout the United States, Israel and Europe performing in synagogues, festivals, and concert halls including Carnegie Hall in New York City and the Mann Auditorium in Tel Aviv.