Our Team
Avrum Rosensweig
Avrum Rosensweig, Founding Director of Ve’ahavta, is motivated by the ethics of Judaism and the importance of hands-on volunteerism, and believes that by working with interfaith partners, both Jews and non-Jews rediscover the beauties of Judaism, its universal ethical message, and how Jewish inspired acts of charity make the world a better place.
For thirteen years, Avrum has directed Ve’ahavta, Canada’s only Jewish humanitarian and relief organization. Avrum and his team have designed and supervised projects in Israel, and have created and continue to oversee projects in Canada with Native peoples, in South America with Jewish, Amerindian, and Afro Caribbean peoples, in Asia with communities affected by the Tsunami, and with the peoples of rural Africa.
Avrum was a talk show host and performed on television for ten years as one of the Food Guys. He writes a weekly newspaper column for the Canadian Jewish News and is also Ve’ahavta’s most popular public speaker. In this capacity, he was one of the first Canadian notables to publicly cry out for the victims of the genocide in Darfur, urging the citizens and government of this fair democracy to act to solve this ongoing tragedy. Contact Avrum at Avrum@veahavta.org.
Eric Cisterna
Having been trained by some of the most skilled and dedicated Social Workers in downtown Toronto, Eric has dedicated his skills of mediation and communication to further the development and well being of the less advantaged and homeless within the Greater Toronto Area.
Eric has spent much of his time educating himself through school and training in the field of Social Work, Law, Intervention and Crisis work over the last ten years.
As a recent Deans Honour list graduate of George Brown College, Eric strives to utilize his skills to assist clients and volunteers of Ve’ahavta in gaining a new perspective on Torontos diversity. Contact Eric at Eric@veahavta.org.
Josh Hacker
Josh Hacker is the Fundraising Coordinator for Ve’ahavta and will manage the fundraising, marketing and events while Robyn is away on maternity leave.
He has spent the last four years working for the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, where his responsibilities included fundraising events and community outreach to ethnic groups and small communities across Ontario. He graduated from Brandeis University with an MA in Jewish Communal Service and a MBA in Non-Profit Management in 2004.
Josh has a passion for local politics and tries to make a difference through the work that he does every day in society. You can contact Josh at Josh.Hacker@veahavta.org.
Terri Hyatt
Terri has been with Ve’ahavta since May 2009 in the role of Receptionist/ Fundraising Assistant.
Her experience in the charitable sector spans more than 18 years, including positions with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Zareinu Educational Centre, the Canadian SIDS Foundation, Ontario Nature and the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
An ardent animal lover, she rescues and fosters cats and other furry and feathered creatures (ask her about the baby ducklings!) She is also a long-time blood and platelet donor. In her spare time, she loves to garden and read short stories and long novels. Contact Terri at Terri@veahavta.org.
Robyn Tousson-Segall
Robyn Tousson-Segall joined the Ve’ahavta team in 2003 as a volunteer and was soon after hired to develop Ve’ahavta’s volunteer department.
She now enthusiastically joins Ve’ahavta’s fundraising team as Development Officer, managing the organizations fundraising, marketing, and events portfolios.
Robyn has a BA from York University and has extensive sales and marketing experience in the private sector. Robyn is also a NIA and yoga instructor and the adoring mother of a little boy. Contact Robyn at Robyn@veahavta.org.
Arieh Waldman
Arieh Waldman joined Ve’ahavta in March, 2010 as the Manager, Finance & Administration and has worked in the not-for-profit world since 1984. Prior to joining Ve’ahavta, Arieh worked in Finance and Administration in the fields of Disability Services, Home Health Care, Public Health, Religion and Education. Arieh has a BA in History and Geography from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University.
In addition to working in the not-for-profit sector, Arieh volunteers for Out of the Cold, gives blood and has co-edited a book on the funding of religious education in Canada. Arieh and his spouse have travelled around the world twice for one year at a time, the most recent trip ending in July, 2007. He also loves to make furniture for family and friends and is an avid cyclist. Contact Arieh at Arieh.Waldman@veahavta.org.
Kirill Zaretsky
Kirill Zaretsky is the Director of Development for Ve’ahavta and manages the overall strategic direction of the fundraising department.
Prior to joining the Ve’ahavta team, Kirill worked as a senior fundraising officer for almost ten years, raising millions of dollars for the Canadian Red Cross, The Canadian Cancer Society, and The Scarborough Hospital, as well as a private arts college. He also ran a fundraising consultant company for a variety of clients in the field of development and health.
His experience includes major gifts, planned giving, grant writing, monthly and online programs, and special events. He is a graduate of York University and a member of the Association for Fundraising professionals.
He has a passion for the mystical side of Judaism and has devoted his career to raising funds for the most underprivileged in society. Contact Kirill at Kirill@veahavta.org.
Sarah Zelcer
Sarah Zelcer has worked with Ve’ahavta since 2002. During that time, she has managed a series of local projects for the MJRH department as well as the weekly Newcomers Homework Club in Regent Park.
Since 2003, Sarah has managed Ve’ahavta’s projects in Guyana, Zimbabwe, and Argentina, as well as coordinated Ve’ahavta’s overseas responses to international crises including the Tsunami and the current crisis in Darfur.
As Ve’ahavta’s representative, Sarah has traveled to Guyana, Argentina, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and New York.
Sarah is a writer, contributing to Living Legacies:A Collection of Inspirational Contemporary Canadian Jewish Women, and a visual artist, specializing in ketubot (Jewish marriage contracts).Sarah holds a degree in Equity Studies from the University of Toronto. Contact Sarah at Sarah@veahavta.org.
Ve’ahavta’s Board Members
- Mark Diamond Chair
- Larry Zimmerman Secretary & Past President
- Henry Greisman Vice-President & Treasurer
- Ron Baruch
- Alison Cohen
- Bruce Cowley
- Richard Ekstein
- Karen Ehrlich
- Danielle Kaplan
- Malka Lewittes
- Paul Lindzon
- Barry Picov
- Dr. Nicolas Szecket
- Brian Vyner
