Here, we dive into conversations that highlight the stories, challenges, and successes of the fabric of Montreal’s diverse Jewish community. Through engaging discussions, news reports, and special guests, the 360 Podcast informs, inspires, and connects listeners to the evolving Jewish experience in Montreal.
The podcast team, including Federation CJA President and CEO Yair Szlak, producer Glenn J. Nashen, reporter Jordan Stoopler and Paola Samuel, will engage with influencers, experts and leaders covering a vast array of topics from campus life, antisemitism, allyship, all things Israel, and of course events and programs powered by Federation CJA.
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Discover the heartbeat of Montreal’s Jewish community with the Federation CJA 360 Podcast - your front row seat to the impact, innovation, and inspiration shaping Jewish life today. Each episode spotlights dynamic leaders, transformative initiatives, and powerful stories that highlight how Federation CJA is strengthening our community and building a vibrant Jewish future. Engaging, uplifting, and full of purpose, this is the podcast that brings our mission to life.
Guest Information:
Emmanuel Trau
An attorney from Israel with a background in Law and Middle Eastern Studies, Emmanuel Trau also has a foundation in advanced traditional Jewish studies and serves as a Shaliach (Special Emissary) with Federation CJA. He leads high-impact advocacy and Jewish identity initiatives, delivering interactive workshops for students and diverse community cohorts to build lasting resilience and a deeper connection to Israel.
Host & Show Info
Host: Glenn J. Nashen
About the Host:
Glenn J. Nashen is an award-winning public safety innovator and communicator, and longtime Cote Saint Luc City Councillor having founded CSL Emergency Medical Services and CSL volunteer Citizens on Patrol. Glenn was Director of Public Affairs and Communications at the Jewish General Hospital and CIUSSS West Central Montreal for 20 years and now serves as Podcast Producer and Director of Media Relations and Crisis Communications at Federation CJA, continuing his commitment to strengthening, safeguarding, and informing the community.
Yair Szlak is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Federation CJA, a role he has held since 2018 after more than 15 years in senior leadership positions within the organization. A graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, Yair is known as a skilled fundraiser and community builder. He has dedicated his career to strengthening Jewish life in Montreal and fostering a vibrant, resilient future for the community.
Jordan Stoopler is a copywriter and podcast reporter within Federation CJA’s Strategic Marketing & Communications department. A graduate with journalism degrees from both Concordia University and Hofstra University on Long Island, New York, Jordan contributes to campaigns, weekly newsletters and other organizational communications. By night, Jordan is a freelance sports reporter, covering the local professional sports scene for the Canadian Press. He also produces and co-hosts Menschin’ with the Boys, a podcast that shines a light on Jews and Israelis from across the sports world.
Share this episode with a friend! If you enjoyed it, tag us on social media and let us know your favourite takeaway.
The Pulse of Montreal's Jewish Community.
Episode 58 – A Journey of Courage: Sima Goel on Fleeing the Hijab – and a Preview of Montreal Mega Mission 2027
Episode 58
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 • Duration 01:06:42
Show Notes
Discover the heartbeat of Montreal’s Jewish community with the Federation CJA 360 Podcast - your front‑row seat to the impact, innovation, and inspiration shaping Jewish life today. Each episode spotlights dynamic leaders, transformative initiatives, and powerful stories that highlight how Federation CJA is strengthening our community and building a vibrant Jewish future. Engaging, uplifting, and full of purpose, this is the podcast that brings our mission to life.
Guest Information
Samantha Mintz Vineberg
Bio:
A proud third-generation Montrealer, Samantha’s commitment to the Montreal Jewish community began as a student leader at McGill University, where she earned her BCL and LLB degrees. Her legal background—including practicing tax and estate planning—eventually transitioned into a life dedicated to community impact.
Samantha’s journey with Federation CJA has spanned decades, from her early days as Chair of FedNext. Having served as the Chair of Women’s Philanthropy from 2020–2021 and as a member of the Planning and Allocations Committee, Samantha has been a member of the FCJA board of directors since 2022 and was named First Vice Chair in September 2025., Samantha has consistently focused on the "rolled-up sleeves" work of community building.
As a Wexner Heritage Program alum, Samantha is deeply invested in fostering the next generation of leaders. For her, ensuring a strong Jewish future in Montreal is about more than tradition; it’s about creating a vibrant, secure, and thriving home for the generations to come.
Link:
@samvineberg
Sima Goel
Diplomacy Meets Community
Episode 57
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 • Duration 58:30
Discover the heartbeat of Montreal’s Jewish community with the Federation CJA 360 Podcast - your front‑row seat to the impact, innovation, and inspiration shaping Jewish life today. Each episode spotlights dynamic leaders, transformative initiatives, and powerful stories that highlight how Federation CJA is strengthening our community and building a vibrant Jewish future. Engaging, uplifting, and full of purpose, this is the podcast that brings our mission to life.
Show Notes
Discover the heartbeat of Montreal’s Jewish community with the Federation CJA 360 Podcast - your front‑row seat to the impact, innovation, and inspiration shaping Jewish life today. Each episode spotlights dynamic leaders, transformative initiatives, and powerful stories that highlight how Federation CJA is strengthening our community and building a vibrant Jewish future. Engaging, uplifting, and full of purpose, this is the podcast that brings our mission to life.
Guest Information
Samantha Mintz Vineberg
Bio:
A proud third-generation Montrealer, Samantha’s commitment to the Montreal Jewish community began as a student leader at McGill University, where she earned her BCL and LLB degrees. Her legal background—including practicing tax and estate planning—eventually transitioned into a life dedicated to community impact.
Samantha’s journey with Federation CJA has spanned decades, from her early days as Chair of FedNext. Having served as the Chair of Women’s Philanthropy from 2020–2021 and as a member of the Planning and Allocations Committee, Samantha has been a member of the FCJA board of directors since 2022 and was named First Vice Chair in September 2025., Samantha has consistently focused on the "rolled-up sleeves" work of community building.
As a Wexner Heritage Program alum, Samantha is deeply invested in fostering the next generation of leaders. For her, ensuring a strong Jewish future in Montreal is about more than tradition; it’s about creating a vibrant, secure, and thriving home for the generations to come.
Link:
A Century of Song, Story, and Community
Episode 56
Monday, May 4, 2026 • Duration 59:51
Discover the heartbeat of Montreal’s Jewish community with the Federation CJA 360 Podcast - your front‑row seat to the impact, innovation, and inspiration shaping Jewish life today. Each episode spotlights dynamic leaders, transformative initiatives, and powerful stories that highlight how Federation CJA is strengthening our community and building a vibrant Jewish future. Engaging, uplifting, and full of purpose, this is the podcast that brings our mission to life.
Guest Information
Hillary Cohen
Bio:
Hillary Cohen is a content creator, mom of two and storyteller at Federation CJA who became “unintentionally influential” by sharing the real, messy, funny side of life online. What started as casual posts, turned into a growing community that connects over honesty, humour and everyday moments. She was named one of Tel Aviv Institute’s most influential voices in 2023, and now brings that same authentic voice to both her content and her work in community and storytelling.
Glenn J. Nashen is an award-winning public safety innovator and communicator, and longtime Cote Saint‑Luc City Councillor having founded CSL Emergency Medical Services and CSLvolunteer Citizens on Patrol. Glenn was Director of Public Affairs and Communications at the Jewish General Hospital and CIUSSS West Central Montreal for 20 years and now serves asPodcast Producer and Director of Media Relations and Crisis Communications at Federation CJA, continuing his commitment to strengthening, safeguarding, and informing the community.
Rewriting Jewish History: The Future of Teaching our Past | Episode 55
Episode 55
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 • Duration 48:57
Discover the heartbeat of Montreal’s Jewish community with the Federation CJA 360 Podcast - your front‑row seat to the impact, innovation, and inspiration shaping Jewish life today. Each episode spotlights dynamic leaders, transformative initiatives, and powerful stories that highlight how Federation CJA is strengthening our community and building a vibrant Jewish future. Engaging, uplifting, and full of purpose, this is the podcast that brings our mission to life.
Guest Information
Dr. Karen Gazit
Bio: Dr. Karen Gazith is the Director of the Bronfman Jewish Education Centre (BJEC) of Federation CJA and a longtime leader in Montreal's Jewish educational landscape, while also serving as a Faculty Lecturer in McGill's Department of Education and Counselling Psychology (ECP) and Program Director for the Certificate in Inclusive Education and the ECP liaison to the Office of First Nations and Inuit Education. She is also an Adjunct Professor in McGill’s Department of Integrated Studies in Education and has taught at the university for more than twenty years, specializing in inclusive education, evidence‑based teaching practices, reading development, and educational leadership. Dr. Gazith is the author of Teaching with Purpose and The Power of Effective Reading Instruction: How Neuroscience Impacts Reading Across All Grades and Disciplines, and previously led McGill's major academic project on best practices for students with learning challenges in Quebec. Her career spans senior roles in Jewish day schools, extensive international teacher training, and decades of work advancing educational excellence across the community.
Finally, Dr. Gazith was one of the founders of Montreal's Academic Network Against Antisemitism (MANAA).
Link:
Rebecca Teboul
Bio: Rebecca Teboul is where business, law, and community impact intersect. She’s an attorney turned business development powerhouse who has built multi-million-dollar revenue streams and led growth across industries.
Bridging Worlds: Global Antisemitism & Cultural Connections from Peking to Montreal with Professor Yang Meng | Episode 54
Episode 54
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 • Duration 36:23
Join host Glenn J. Nashen and co-host Karen Payne, Federation CJA’s Special Advisor on Antisemitism, for a rare and fascinating conversation with Professor Yang Meng, a groundbreaking Chinese scholar from Peking University whose pioneering work includes founding China’s first university‑level Yiddish course and teaching Jewish civilization to students across Beijing. Together, we explore her research and perspectives on global antisemitism and her insightful observations about Montreal’s Jewish community. This is a truly unique cross‑cultural dialogue you won’t want to miss!
Federation CJA 360 Podcast Episode 54
The Pulse of Montreal's Jewish Community.
Policy, Community, and Identity: Exploring the Impact of New Legislation | Episode 53
Episode 53
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 • Duration 42:30
In this powerful new episode, CIJA Quebec VP Eta Yudin joins Yair Szlak to unpack two major pieces of legislation that stand to influence Jewish life in Quebec and across Canada. From Bill C‑9 in Parliament - aimed at protecting communities against hate - to Bill 9 in Quebec’s National Assembly on secularism, Eta breaks down what these proposals really mean for our community and how her organization is advocating in the halls of power on our behalf. Then, in a fresh installment of HOT TOPICS, Judy Kremer (Campus Advocacy Director) and Karen Payne (Antisemitism Advisor) dive into the growing challenges on campus, where increasingly hostile student governing councils make it more essential than ever for Jewish students to show up and vote.
Federation CJA 360 Podcast Episode 53
The Pulse of Montreal's Jewish Community.
Remembering to Never Forget | Episode 52
Episode 52
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 • Duration 40:40
In honour of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Federation CJA President & CEO Yair Szlak sits down with Shoah survivor & Montreal Holocaust Museum Co-President, Rachel Gropper, for a powerful and timely conversation on memory, resilience, and the responsibility to remember. The Museum’s head of marketing, communications and PR, Sarah Fogg, shares an update on the new and improved Montreal Holocaust Museum 2.0, set to open next summer. Plus, guest co-host Stephen Rabinovitch breaks down the Holocaust-based programs and experiences available for local Jewish teens and young adults.
Federation CJA 360 Podcast Episode 52
The Pulse of Montreal's Jewish Community.
ChangeMakers: David Cape and Sen. Marc Gold | Episode 51
Episode 51
Monday, January 12, 2026 • Duration 01:03:46
Show Notes
The ChangeMakers series, a special edition of the Federation CJA 360 Podcast, celebrates the remarkable individuals whose leadership and generosity have made a lasting impact on our community. Through compelling conversations, we’ll explore the stories behind the people shaping Jewish life in Montreal and beyond.
Guest Information
David Cape
Bio:David Cape is a respected business executive and visionary community builder whose leadership has left a lasting mark on Montreal’s Jewish landscape. He is the President of Groupe Marcelle Inc., a leading Canadian cosmetics company. He served as President of Federation CJA and was Chair of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA).
Bio:Marc Gold is a Canadian law professor, businessman, and former Senator who represented Quebec from 2016 to 2025, serving as the Government Representative in the Senate from 2020 until his retirement. A past President of Federation CJA, he has held numerous senior leadership roles including La Fondation de la Tolérance, United Israel Appeal Federations Canada, the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. Marc has spent his career at the intersection of law, public service, and Jewish communal leadership.
Host & Show Info
Host Name:Yair Szlak
About the Host:Yair Szlak is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Federation CJA, a role he has held since 2018 after more than 15 years in senior leadership positions within the organization. A graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, Yair is known as a skilled fundraiser and community builder. He has dedicated his career to strengthening Jewish life in Montreal and fostering a vibrant, resilient future for the community.
Moral integrity and principled leadership from an Indigenous Zionist and a Catholic Ally | Episode 50
Episode 50
Monday, December 1, 2025 • Duration 02:05:04
This episode features inspiring leaders and personalities. You’ll hear:
• a Unique Ally: Indigenous appeals court judge, Justice Harry LaForme • Father Deacon Andrew Bennett, a true friend of the Jewish community • Dr. Zohar Raviv, Birthright Israel’s Big-Thinker on Jewish continuity • Hostage de-briefer Glenn Cohen • Fed-Brief with Jordan Stoopler • Hot Topics with Karen Payne • And Federation CJA President and CEO Yair Szlak with One More Thing with Yair
Federation CJA 360 Podcast Episode 50
The Pulse of Montreal's Jewish Community.
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Author, inspirational speaker, freelance writer and chiropractor, Iranian-born Dr. Sima Goel has dedicated her life to promoting the importance and fragility of freedom. Her journey began at age thirteen when she spontaneously defended a Baha’i classmate against a schoolyard bully, triggering events that would eventually take her into danger and far from her beloved, homeland.
Dr. Goel lived under two dictatorships; The Shah and The Ayatollah Khomeini, she knows what is at stake. In her memoir, Fleeing the Hijab: A Jewish Woman’s Escape from Iran, she shares how life in her beloved home changed inexorably from a paradise to a hell.
With the publication of her memoir, Dr. Goel fulfilled a promise she made to herself on a dark night of her desert crossing: to share her story with as many people as possible and to tell of the power of faith, hope and perseverance. For Dr. Goel, freedom is a vital presence that transforms life. It allows you the right to self-expression, from the music you listen to, to the way you dress, to the books and ideals you study.
Once a penniless political refugee, now an established Montreal professional, Dr. Goel shares her belief that an authentic life requires freedom of choice, the most precious commodity of all. She tells her story with dignity, passion, clarity and wisdom as she takes the audience on a journey that speaks to the power of resilience and courage. A master storyteller with a peerless perspective on the events that shaped her world, Dr. Goel leaves her audiences enlightened and inspired, and grateful for the myriad privileges available in modern democratic societies.
Emmanuel Trau
Bio: An attorney from Israel with a background in Law and Middle Eastern Studies, Emmanuel Trau also has a foundation in advanced traditional Jewish studies and serves as a Shaliach (Special Emissary) with Federation CJA. He leads high-impact advocacy and Jewish identity initiatives, delivering interactive workshops for students and diverse community cohorts to build lasting resilience and a deeper connection to Israel.
Chapters
01:06 - First Word With Yair 14:05 - Sima Goel 38:43 - 5 Fun Minutes in Jewish History 44:03 - Montreal Mega Mission 2027 52:28 - NewsBrief 58:15 - Unexpected Allies
Host: Glenn J. Nashen
About the Host:
Glenn J. Nashen is an award-winning public safety innovator and communicator, and longtime Cote Saint‑Luc City Councillor having founded CSL Emergency Medical Services and CSL volunteer Citizens on Patrol. Glenn was Director of Public Affairs and Communications at the Jewish General Hospital and CIUSSS West Central Montreal for 20 years and now serves as Podcast Producer and Director of Media Relations and Crisis Communications at Federation CJA, continuing his commitment to strengthening, safeguarding, and informing the community.
Yair Szlak is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Federation CJA, a role he has held since 2018 after more than 15 years in senior leadership positions within the organization. A graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, Yair is known as a skilled fundraiser and community builder. He has dedicated his career to strengthening Jewish life in Montreal and fostering a vibrant, resilient future for the community.
Jordan Stoopler is a copywriter and podcast reporter within Federation CJA’s Strategic Marketing & Communications department. A graduate with journalism degrees from both Concordia University and Hofstra University on Long Island, New York, Jordan contributes to campaigns, weekly newsletters and other organizational communications. By night, Jordan is a freelance sports reporter, covering the local professional sports scene for the Canadian Press. He also produces and co-hosts Menschin’ with the Boys, a podcast that shines a light on Jews and Israelis from across the sports world.
Bio: Dan Laxer is a reporter with 30 years' experience in broadcast media and print journalism. He covers parts of the west end and the City of Montreal for The Suburban Newspaper. Follow him on Instagram and Facebook.
Share this episode with a friend! If you enjoyed it, tag us on social media and let us know your favorite takeaway.
The Pulse of Montreal's Jewish Community.
@samvineberg
Consul General Eliaz Luf
Bio:
Eliaz Luf was appointed Consul General of Israel and moved to Montreal in summer 2025.
He began his diplomatic career in 1995, serving in Warsaw, Poland, and then Mexico City, holding a number of positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' headquarters in Jerusalem, was then posted as Deputy Head of Mission at the Israeli Embassy in Ottawa and subsequently served as Director of Department of Arms Export Control at the Strategic Division of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Luf served as Deputy-Director General for International Relations Division, at the Israeli Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology.
Luf holds an M.A. in Political Science from the National Security College and the University of Haifa, M.B.A. in Business Administration and B.A. (with honours) in General History and Political Science from the University of Haifa. He is a certified Mediator by the Ministry of Justice and volunteers as a mediator in a Community Mediation Center in the city of Ramle.
Host & Show Info
Host: Glenn J. Nashen
About the Host:
Glenn J. Nashen is an award-winning public safety innovator and communicator, and longtime Cote Saint‑Luc City Councillor having founded CSL Emergency Medical Services and CSL volunteer Citizens on Patrol. Glenn was Director of Public Affairs and Communications at the Jewish General Hospital and CIUSSS West Central Montreal for 20 years and now serves as Podcast Producer and Director of Media Relations and Crisis Communications at Federation CJA, continuing his commitment to strengthening, safeguarding, and informing the community.
Yair Szlak is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Federation CJA, a role he has held since 2018 after more than 15 years in senior leadership positions within the organization. A graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, Yair is known as a skilled fundraiser and community builder. He has dedicated his career to strengthening Jewish life in Montreal and fostering a vibrant, resilient future for the community.
Jordan Stoopler is a copywriter and podcast reporter within Federation CJA’s Strategic Marketing & Communications department. A graduate with journalism degrees from both Concordia University and Hofstra University on Long Island, New York, Jordan contributes to campaigns, weekly newsletters and other organizational communications. By night, Jordan is a freelance sports reporter, covering the local professional sports scene for the Canadian Press. He also produces and co-hosts Menschin’ with the Boys, a podcast that shines a light on Jews and Israelis from across the sports world.
Bio: Karen Payne is a Strategic Advisor in Antisemitism Advocacy at Federation CJA. She began her career as a corporate lawyer, practicing for over a decade in both New York and Montreal. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Karen has long been active in community philanthropy, within Solomon Schechter Academy and as a dedicated member of Federation CJA’s Women’s Philanthropy.
Driven by a deep commitment to combating antisemitism and strengthening the Jewish community, Karen joined Federation CJA to lead efforts in advocacy, education and resilience-building. She works closely with CIJA and helps with the strategies in educating and supporting community, and initiatives addressing antisemitism. Karen collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders to raise awareness, develop strategic responses, and implement impactful programs. Her unwavering dedication continues to inspire and empower the community in the ongoing fight against Jew-hatred.
Emmanuel Trau
Bio: An attorney from Israel with a background in Law and Middle Eastern Studies, Emmanuel Trau also has a foundation in advanced traditional Jewish studies and serves as a Shaliach (Special Emissary) with Federation CJA. He leads high-impact advocacy and Jewish identity initiatives, delivering interactive workshops for students and diverse community cohorts to build lasting resilience and a deeper connection to Israel.
Reporter: Dan Laxer from The Suburban
Bio: Dan Laxer is a reporter with 30 years' experience in broadcast media and print journalism. He covers parts of the west end and the City of Montreal for The Suburban Newspaper. Follow him on Instagram and Facebook.
Jordan Stoopler is a copywriter and podcast reporter within Federation CJA’s Strategic Marketing & Communications department. A graduate with journalism degrees from both Concordia University and Hofstra University on Long Island, New York, Jordan contributes to campaigns, weekly newsletters and other organizational communications. By night, Jordan is a freelance sports reporter, covering the local professional sports scene for the Canadian Press. He also produces and co-hosts Menschin’ with the Boys, a podcast that shines a light on Jews and Israelis from across the sports world.
Share this episode with a friend! If you enjoyed it, tag us on social media and let us know your favorite takeaway.
The Pulse of Montreal's Jewish Community.
Today, she serves as Senior Engagement Manager for Jewish Identity Montreal at Federation CJA, where she works on strategy for engagement; building meaningful connections, strengthening identity, and shaping the future of Jewish community life.
She is also the Co-Founder of The Ora Collective, engaging a new generation of women in philanthropy in a bold and modern way. Rebecca is passionate about relationships, big ideas, and turning vision into real impact.
