BERNIE FARBER: A LIFETIME OF JEWISH LEADERSHIP

On today’s episode, I’m excited to introduce Bernie M. Farber, an Ottawa-born writer, commentator, and tireless social activist. Bernie’s work spans across multiple causes, rooted deeply in his personal history as the son of a Holocaust survivor. He’s the former CEO of both the Canadian Jewish Congress and Veahavta, the Canadian Jewish humanitarian and relief committee. His commitment to human rights and social justice has seen him testify as an expert witness on hate crime, as well as serve as the CEO of the Mosaic Institute, a Canadian NGO dedicated to promoting pluralism, peace, and conflict resolution internationally. Bernie has also worked with the Paloma Foundation, focusing on homeless youth shelters, and his insights on human and civil rights have appeared in major outlets like the Huffington Post and the Canadian Jewish News. From 2018 to 2023, he chaired the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, and now serves as its founding chair emeritus. Bernie’s drive for activism is rooted in a simple yet profound lesson from his father, a Holocaust survivor, who told him to “open a mouth” in the fight for freedom. Ladies and gentlemen, Bernie Farber.