Joanne and Jon Gurman

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

Prominent Montreal community leaders and philanthropists Joanne and Jon Gurman are being honoured at the annual Feast of the Nations Gala, being held Thursday Nov. 21 at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim in Westmount. Internationally renowned singer Gad Elbaz will be performing at the event, held by the Chabad Chaya Mushka Seminary Ben Weider Educational Centre. Cocktails will be at 5 p.m., followed by the dinner and concert.

The event will raise funds for the Seminary’s Operation Miriam, a five-year mission which enables 25 young women between the ages of 17 and 20 from Ukraine and Israel to study at the Seminary and live at the Frieda Dym Residence Hall, as well as help underprivileged students.

The Gurmans will be presented with the prestigious Chai Lifetime Achievement Award for “their unwavering humanitarian support and dedication to helping those in need beyond our immediate community,” say event organizers. “[Their support] creates a ripple effect that reaches Israel and communities around the world. Joanne and Jon are truly exemplary figures, inspiring others with their actions.”

The organizers added that the Gurmans’ “generous hearts and philanthropy have left a lasting impact on the growth of Montreal schools, synagogue, healthcare centres, eldercare facilities, hospitals and more. They embody passion for the Jewish people, resilience and commitment to NEVER AGAIN and ‘Am Yisrael Chai.’”

The Gurmans were introduced to Chabad when the Montreal Torah Centre was at Décarie Square, and they were taken with Chabad’s concepts and values.

“With Chabad, anywhere in the world, you have a home — if anyone is going to preserve the Jewish culture and our connection to Israel, it’s the Lubavitch,” says Jon Gurman. “I’ve been to the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters and I’ve met rabbis from all around the world. When we help them, we are helping all Jews.” The couple also spearheaded the construction of the Montreal Torah Centre’s current building on Cleve Road in Hampstead, which has a bustling congregation, a daycare and is known as a hub of community activity.

“Our whole family understands and appreciates the good that Chabad does in the world,” Joanne Gurman says. “When our daughter was studying at the University of Leeds in England, she had Chabad. Wherever you go, there is always a home for you with Chabad.”

Jon Gurman also helped The Seminary with their auction and Scotch & Cigar event, and the couple’s involvement increased with the launch of Operation Miriam. The Gurmans sponsored a young girl from Ukraine to come study in Montreal.

“The Seminary is providing both education and a home to young girls from both Ukraine and Israel,” says Joanne. “It’s so important that we support them and these girls. The Chabad Seminary of Canada and the Chaya Mushka Seminary prioritizes not just any education, but the education of displaced young women whose education has been interrupted. When the war broke out in Ukraine, they stepped up when few would and since the Oct. 7 [Hamas terrorist attack], they have only increased their efforts to help girls in both Ukraine and Israel. They’ve not only changed lives, but saved lives.”

The couple also considers Israel to be “the most important cause in our lives.”

“Our passion is for Israel, the Israeli people and the brave men and women who defend Israel and in turn, the Jewish people,” says Jon.

In general, “Rabbi Abraham Cohen has done incredible work at the Chabad Seminary of Canada and we are proud to support him and his entire team of educators year after year,” he added. “We are honoured to have been chosen as the recipients of the Chai Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Rabbi Cohen stated, “More than one year since the terrorist attack of Oct. 7, our gala will celebrate our unbreakable spirit. The mission of our Seminary has not changed; with the war ongoing, young women need our help more than ever and we will continue to be there for them.”

For more information about the event, go to seminarygala.com or call 514-543-5446.