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 Bohoslovskyi: Treasurer
Joy Simmonds: Secretary
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
Benjamin Langer: Member at Large
Preferred Pronouns: he/him
Ben was born in Toronto, but moved around frequently as a child and young adult between the U.S. and Canada, with a 2-year stint in Israel/Palestine for a masters at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies before medical school. Having moved to Peterborough from Sioux Lookout and found the absolute best happy medium around, he has no plans to move, ever again. He grew up between reform and reconstructionist synagogues, and is very grateful to call Beth Israel Synagogue his Jewish home. Ben is a family doctor and obstetrical surgeon working between Partners in Pregnancy in Peterborough and the Integrated Pregnancy Program in Sioux Lookout, where he also provides urgent care phone coverage to remote indigenous nursing stations. In his spare time he can be found playing music, practicing Capoeira, working on an agroforestry project in Warsaw, Ontario, and spending time with his wife Lizzie and two young daughters Norah and Ruthie. He looks forward to working to keep the Beth Israel community blossoming forth with new ideas and events, and making sure it is a welcoming place for all Jews, regardless of their background or beliefs.
Dan Houpt: Member at Large
Hi everyone, my name is Dan Houpt. I am a Family Physician in Lakefield and have been part of the Peterborough Jewish Community since 1995. I grew up in Toronto, attending Beth Tikvah synagogue, a conservative shul in the north end of Toronto. I was taught and inspired by Rabbi Herbert Feder, a brilliant intellectual rabbi and an equally inspiring cantor. He taught me to be proud of my heritage, to challenge my faith and to support the land and people of Israel. Some of my earliest memories are of saving my allowance to plant trees in Israel in honour of my grandparents. I’ve been leading Kabbalat Shabbat services at Beth Israel since 2001 and assist Leon, our wonderful spiritual leader, during the High Holidays. When not practicing medicine, I live on an 88 acre farm with my wife Kelli, son Aaron, numerous horses and chickens and a new puppy Nala. I love to grow my own veggies and play guitar and write goofy songs.
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
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.