Avrum Rosensweig
Avrum Rosensweig is the founding director of Ve’ahavta: The Canadian Jewish Humanitarian & Relief Committee. He founded Ve’ahavta, Canada’s only organization of its kind, in 1994. During the Rwanda crisis, he was compelled to act after seeing the lack of response from the world, and more specifically from the Jewish community. Avrum explains, “If we were to hold strongly to the phrase ‘Never Again,’ we would be vigilant when genocides and destruction was happening around us. I take most pride in knowing that, over the last decade and a half, we have made a major impact in the area of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) by raising people’s consciousness about the needs of our homeless, HIV/AIDS victims in Zimbabwe, the poor in the rainforests of Guyana, people suffering in Darfur, and, of course, the impoverished in Israel.”
Geoffrey Clarfield
Geoffrey Clarfield is the Executive Director of Ve’ahavta. He supervises all Ve’ahavta staff, projects and operations, at home and abroad. As Executive Director he works closely with the Founding Director in the strategic planning of Ve’ahavta. As ED he chairs all staff meetings and reports regularly to the Executive and Board of Directors of Ve’ahavta. Before taking up his position at Ve’ahavta he spent two decades living and working in Africa and the Middle East as a researcher, project writer, manager and international development consultant. In addition to his expertise in the design and implementation of poverty alleviation projects in the developing world, he is well versed in theories of development and underdevelopment and, the strategies that provide relief and hope to underprivileged communities at home and abroad. He brings to Ve’ahavta a rich experience in working with a broad range of organizations that include the UN, the Rockefeller Foundation, various international NGOs (non governmental organizations) as well as the governments of the U.S., Canada, Norway, Switzerland, Italy, Israel, Kenya and Tanzania. In addition to his graduate studies in the social sciences, African and Middle Eastern studies, he is a lifelong student of the history of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
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 had worked as a senior fundraising officer for almost 10 years raising millions of dollars for the Canadian Red Cross, The Canadian Cancer Society, The Scarborough Hospital as well as a private arts college. He also ran a fundraising consultant company for a variety clients in the field of development and health. His experience includes major gifts, planned giving, grant writing, monthly and online programs as well as 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.
Lorne Opler
Lorne Opler is the Manager of the Mobile Jewish Response to Homelessness project. In this position, he is responsible for the daily operation and functioning of the outreach van. His responsibilities include the hiring, scheduling, and training of drivers, procuring donations of food and other essentials for distribution to our clients, public speaking engagements to promote Ve’ahavta and the MJRH to community organizations, and establishing partnerships with other social service and outreach agencies. He is also involved with the design of an expansion of the homeless program to serve a greater number of clients during the next 24 months. Prior to joining Ve’ahavta, Lorne coordinated a wellness and health promotion program at Casey House Hospice, and has worked in a variety of health education capacities both in Canada and the United States. He holds a master’s degree in health education and health promotion from the University of Texas at Austin. To Ve’ahavta he brings a long term study of different streams of Judaism, including the teaching of Jewish culture at non Jewish institutions, personal interest, career experience, and a lifelong dedication to working with disenfranchised populations, and individuals in need.
Rebecca Stulberg
Rebecca Stulberg is the Acting Director of International Projects and Education for Ve’ahavta. Rebecca came on board in August 2008 and will be actively managing Ve’ahavta’s International and Education departments for the duration of her predecessors’ maternity leave. Rebecca’ interest in humanitarian work, Jewish community leadership, and international development began as a camper in the Canadian Young Judea (CYJ) system. Since then she has graduated with an honours degree in History with a specialization in International Relations from the University of Guelph. During her studies she dedicated her time to the Guelph Oxfam International Chapter, as their media coordinator. Rebecca also participated in an international exchange to Australia, and has traveled to the Middle East, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Mexico.
Upon graduating Rebecca worked for Greenpeace Canada as a Direct Dialogue Fundraiser and spent two summers working at CYJ’s Camp Biluim, as a leadership facilitator. Rebecca has worked as an Office Manager for an online company and assisted the programming department of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network. Last winter Rebecca spent the three months in Zanzibar, Tanzania doing HIV/AIDS advocacy work with Youth Challenge International. Rebecca is proud of Ve’ahavta’s commitment to tikkun olam programming in Canada and abroad and feels that Ve’ahavta’s values and vision match her own.
Barbara Morton
Barbara Morton was born near Ottawa, and has lived in Toronto for a significant part of her life. She is a Certified General Accountant, has worked with Ve’ahavta in a financial capacity since 2001 and is currently Controller for the organization. Along with her strong financial background, Barbara also brings organizational and operational skills to Ve’ahavta which have helped the organization to grow and mature over the years. She believes deeply in helping others and has been involved in numerous Homeless projects in Toronto over the years. She is very excited to be a part of Tikkun Olam and Ve’ahavta’s mission which is strongly rooted in Judaism but is implemented for the benefit of all people.