Syvanne Avitzur is an Israeli-born Canadian, an NIFC New Generations Leadership Council Member, and a former volunteer with NIF in Jerusalem who cares deeply about NIF’s mission. She is working towards her M.A. in Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa and works as a researcher and project coordinator in the environmental policy space. Syvanne has experience as a Middle East and North Africa Researcher, focusing on women and queer activism movements as well as the effects of climate change in the levant. Syvanne often spends her free time out in nature, hiking, swimming, and canoeing. She is very excited to be joining this year’s Naomi Chazan fellowship cohort and learning more about activism in the region.
Carli Fink is an educator with a passion for advancing change at the individual and organizational levels. She has built her career to date supporting students’ development and helping educational institutions serve their students more effectively. Carli has worked in career development, academic advising, health promotion, admissions, and student life roles at universities, colleges, and K-12 schools. This work has taken her to live in 6 cities across Canada and the United States. Wherever she goes, Carli enjoys getting involved in her local community: she canvassed for OneCity in Vancouver’s 2022 municipal election, created and facilitated a virtual affinity space for Jewish young adults to discuss Israel-Palestine in the wake of the May 2021 violence, and contributed to the development of Kavod Boston’s anti-racism curriculum. Carli currently lives in Toronto.
Jacob Kates Rose is excited to be a 2024 Naomi Chazan Fellow and get his feet on the ground protecting and advancing democracy for everyone who lives in Israel-Palestine. Jacob is a proud Boger of Hashomer Hatzair and Camp Shomria, where he learned about Jewish social justice, progressive Zionism, and the role of the diaspora in peace activism. Jacob studied Peace, Conflict and Justice Studies and Diaspora studies at the University of Toronto and now works in municipal politics. His favourite place in Israel is the Marzipan Bakery in Jerusalem.
Michael Morgenthau is a Jewish community leader from Toronto, with a varied professional resume. After graduating from McGill University (spending a summer at Tel Aviv University), he worked for a Member of Parliament. He later completed his J.D. at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law before working in both public and private sector litigation. Michael ultimately left the practice of law to start his own LSAT tutoring business, which includes a pro-bono program for prospective Indigenous law students. Today, Michael works as the NationBuilder Program Director for RA2 Consulting. Michael is a former CJPAC fellow, was on the executive committee of JSpaceCanada, and is a board member of Aleph Canada.