D’Arcy McGee medal ceremony

By: Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

The 11th annual D’Arcy McGee medal ceremony took place June 12 at the Ashkelon Gardens at Côte St. Luc city hall, hosted by riding MNA Elisabeth Prass.

The ceremony was initiated by Prass’s predecessor David Birnbaum, to recognize individuals and organizations who have had a positive impact on the area covered by the riding, which includes Côte St. Luc, Hampstead and CDN-NDG.

This year’s honourees were Heidi Berger, founder and president of the Foundation for Genocide Education; Nicole Nashen, a McGill University student and advocate for Jewish students; Agence Ometz, a community organization serving Montreal’s Jewish community and the Côte des Neiges Black Community Association, a “longstanding advocate against systemic racism and a pillar of Montreal’s Black community.”

“You represent different communities, different generations and different spheres of work, but you are united by a shared belief in the power of community, the necessity of justice and the importance of taking action,” Prass told the recipients.

Prass described Heidi Berger as “a woman whose work reminds us that education is not just about knowledge, it is about responsibility.

“Heidi has taken on the mission that many find daunting or uncomfortable, to teach the difficult truths of our world’s darkest chapters, so that they are never repeated. She has travelled across schools, spoken to students, developed resources, and worked hand in hand with educators to integrate genocide education into Quebec’s curriculum. And she has done this not just with academic rigour, but with deep moral conviction.”

Berger could not be present, but in a message by her read by Prass, she thanked Prass and Birnbaum for “their tireless support in our ongoing campaign to have genocide education made mandatory in Quebec. I know you both believe strongly as I do that the best way to develop future leaders and citizens is through education.”

The organization’s administrative coordinator Anna Mazur accepted the medal on Berger’s behalf.

Of Nashen, Prass said that “at a time when Jewish communities in Quebec and around the world are facing a troubling rise in hate speech, harassment, and acts of violence, Nicole has chosen not to look away. She has chosen instead to educate, to engage and to act.”

Nashen could not be present, but her mother Dr. Judy Hagshi read a message from Nashen, saying last week’s recognition is “especially significant as it marks the end of six intense, rewarding and often challenging years of student leadership.”

The third recipient was Agence Ometz, represented by CEO Dominique McCaughey. Prass said that for more than a century, Ometz, and previously as Jewish Immigrant Aid Services, “has been a pillar in our city, helping individuals face their challenges with dignity, compassion and practical support. A central community organization for the Montreal Jewish community, Ometz has provided holistic support to individuals and families in areas such as mental health, employment, newcomer integration and youth services. Its inclusive, proactive and collaborative approach strengthens the resilience and autonomy of people through empathy, accessibility and social connection.”

McCaughey thanked Prass “for being an incredible advocate. Our services are really wraparound services in immigration, employment and social services — really, everything starts with having a wonderful team.”

Prass said the Côte des Neiges Black Community Association has been a “pillar of Montreal’s English-speaking Black community” for more than 50 years.

The association “has long recognized that systemic barriers, whether in education, employment, housing or access to services, must be actively dismantled. The association combats systemic racism through impactful programs in education, social services, culture, entrepreneurship and food security.”

“This is a great honour,” CDNBCA executive chair Ayanna Alleyne told the ceremony. “We’ve been trying really hard to make an impact and stay relevant.”

On hand for the event were David Birnbaum, Côte St. Luc Mayor Mitchell Brownstein and members of CSL council, former D’Arcy McGee MNA Robert Libman, Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather, English Montreal School Board chairman Joe Ortona and former commissioner Ellie Israel, former CSL councillors Allan Levine and Glenn Nashen, Nicole’s father; United Against Hate Canada’s Marvin Rotrand and many others. n