Board of Directors

 

Gabriele Zeh-Abramsky: President

Preferred Pronouns: she/her

I moved to Peterborough in the 1980s and my children were raised in Peterborough, as part of the Jewish community here. I would like to see this kind of support again for the younger families in Peterborough now. My professional background is in finance/ business administration in Europe and Mexico. Over the years I have been a hands-on volunteer with numerous local organizations, including the New Canadians Centre (also Board Chair, as well as treasurer), the YWCA (Board member and treasurer), and Hospice Peterborough. For a few years I have spent my winters in Israel but then my grandchildren arrived – total game changer! And now I am happy to spend time with my grandchildren as well as giving back to my community. There is so much energy in our membership; let’s harness this energy and make this a thriving community where our members feel welcome, supported and willing to contribute their skills. I am looking forward to meeting you all personally in the coming months.

Alex Rawek: Vice President

Preferred Pronouns: she/her

Alex was born in Toronto and raised in Peterborough attending shul at Beth Israel most Saturdays with her father Jack and brother David. As a child she would also frequently attend High Holidays and Saturday morning services at the historic Beaches Synagogue in Toronto. After graduating from high school, Alex attended Carleton University in Ottawa where she received her B.A. (Hons) majoring in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations. While at school Alex began volunteering weekly at a seniors’ community centre, and realized she had a passion for supporting older adults and their caregivers. She later joined the community centre as a program facilitator for the Alzheimer’s Day Program, living and working in Ottawa for 11 years. Moving back to Peterborough in 2013, Alex received a Diploma in Social Service Work from Fleming College and then became a Care Navigator at Community Care Peterborough. In 2023 Alex joined Aon Inc.’s Centennial Place long-term care where she continues her work as a registered Social Service Worker, supporting high risk individuals and their families. Alex enjoys cooking, swimming, curling, soft ball and reading. She lives in Peterborough with her husband and two young daughters.

 

Serhii was born in Kyiv into a Ukrainian-Jewish family. He has over 20 years of professional experience in finance, auditing, and internal controls — all within the oil and gas industry. He holds both an engineering degree and a Master’s degree in Accounting and Auditing from universities in Kyiv. In 2024, Serhii moved to Peterborough to reunite with his wife and children, who had fled Ukraine in 2022 due to the war. Upon arriving in Canada, he quickly became an active member of the Beth Israel community and was elected Treasurer in July, 2025. Serhii combines deep professional expertise with a strong commitment to Jewish values and community service. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, playing tennis, exploring nature, and spending time with his family. His goal is to contribute meaningfully to the growth and unity of the local community.

 

Joy Simmonds: Secretary

Preferred Pronouns: she/her

I lived most of my life in Toronto where I raised my children and enjoyed membership at Congregation Darchei Noam, Toronto’s reconstructionist synagogue. I moved to Peterborough 18 years ago but maintained my connection to the jewish community I left behind. My children now have children of their own and together we are members at the Danforth Jewish Circle. In the past year I began attending services and events at Beth Israel and am developing a sense of belonging in the Peterborough Jewish community. In joining the board I hope to contribute to BIC bringing jews from a wide range of backgrounds, interests, and political opinions into a shared space where they can gather, pray and learn together.

 

Karen Fisher: Member at Large

Preferred Pronouns: she/her

 

 

 

Len Lifchus: Member at Large

Len moved to Ontario in 1999 to head up the United Way here in Peterborough. A graduate of the University of British Columbia in political science, and Virginia State & Polytechnic University in Donor Recruitment Management, he specialized in volunteer management, board governance, resource development and program outcome measurement before retiring in 2014. Len worked for three United Ways in two provinces during his tenure raising over $50 million and working with over 150 Not for profit organizations. He was a national trainer in administration management, board governance, strategic planning, policy development and program outcome measurement. Len served as President of the Kelowna Jewish Community in 1997/98. He joined the Beth Israel Board after arriving in Peterborough and was part of the original negotiating team with the Unitarian Fellowship in the early 2000s. He returned to the BIC Board in 2023 as a governance advisor and chair the BIC strategic planning process.

 

Len Siegal: Member at Large

Raised in the west end of Toronto, our family were long standing members of the Beth Tzedec congregation (Conservative). After relocating to Lindsay to practice law, I was introduced to Beth Israel and I have been a member and a past Board Member of the synagogue, at the time when we endorsed the move to a more gender-egalitarian approach and our community flourished. As a member and Board member of Beth Israel, I am interested in supporting the many truly fine people that continue to work so hard to advance Judaism in Peterborough and surrounding areas and to make our synagogue a tranquil and reflective home. I relocated to Cobourg several years ago.

 

Ron Molnar: Member at Large

Ron is a native of Montreal, born a few years after his parents arrived from Hungary via Austria, having survived WWII. He graduated from McGill University with a degree in Metallurgical Engineering. After completing a PhD in London, England, he returned to Canada and worked in the steel industry and then in the Federal Government laboratory. He came to Peterborough in 1995 to take up a position in Lakefield Research, now SGS Canada, and has been an independent consultant since 2006. Ron met Jutta in England and they married in Montreal. They have one son, Dennis who lives in Ottawa with his family. Ron and Jutta have been members of congregations in Ottawa and Peterborough and participated in services in different parts of the world on their travels. Ron has been gabbai in the Beth Israel congregation since around 2009. He was co-president of the congregation with Mark Siegel from 1999 to 2001, helping oversee a major synagogue renovation, and also founded and he edited the community newsletter for around 20 years. He is Chair of the Cemetery Committee managing its records and plot allocations, the memorial board and tree of life. 

 

Ziysah von Bieberstein: Member at Large

Preferred Pronouns: they/them

 

Mark Seigel: Past Chair/Board Advisor

Preferred Pronouns: he/him

Mark was born in New York City and grew up in Long Beach, Long Island, leaving in 1968 to pursue postgraduate studies in Anthropology / Archaeology at the University of Toronto. There he met Maureen and saw the light about marriage and becoming Canadian, living in Peterborough and joining the Beth Israel Congregation. Mark is a retired full service family physician, trained at McMaster Medical School (class of ’73). He worked at Peterborough Clinic for 32 years and served as Physician of Record for Stewart Group Homes for 45 years, retiring in 2022. He became President of the BIC Board in June, 2023. Previously, he was Vice President forever, and Co-president with Ron Molnar 199m and is committed to ensuring Beth Israel becomes a thriving, sustainable, and welcoming place for all Jews. He loves gardening, sculpting, baking challahs and keeping bees. He’s a tropical fish aquarist, recreational pilot and father to one child.

 

Honorary Board Member:   Eberhard Zeidler   — Canadian Architect Awards Recipient of:  Order of Canada & Order of Ontario

Eberhard Zeidler – (Honourary Board Member) Zeidler immigrated to Canada in 1951 and formed his first partnership with Blackwell and Craig of Peterborough, Ontario. He later went on to create a new firm, Zeidler Roberts Partnership/Architects in Toronto, In 1984, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. He has also received the Order of Ontario. He won a medal from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 1986.