On this page you can meet our Leadership Team. You can also click here to find out what kind of folks make up the rest of City Shul.
Our Leadership Team
Jeff Cipin
Jeff Cipin immigrated to Toronto in 1975. From Edmonton. After studying Film & Video Production at York University he married Aviva Busheikin from Calgary. In those days such marriages, between an Edmontonian and a Calgarian, still raised eyebrows. How could they return to Alberta? At least that’s the story they still tell their children, Dina and Elana. Jeff began working in video production after university and figured he’d stick around Toronto until the Leafs won the Stanley Cup. Right.
Jeff and Aviva were involved in Kehillat Ahavat Hesed for a number of years. They have fond memories of what that experience provided in their lives. They eagerly welcome the opportunity to participate in the creation of another egalitarian shul.
In the past, Jeff has enjoyed working with Rabbi Goldstein as Kolel High Holidays Gabbai. Now he’s looking forward to belonging to a congregation the other 50 weeks of the year. Davening, learning and commiserating with old and new friends – it doesn’t get better than that. Even if the Leafs do win it all some day. Ah well, a man needs a dream. But The City Shul? That’s reality.
Jeff and Aviva were involved in Kehillat Ahavat Hesed for a number of years. They have fond memories of what that experience provided in their lives. They eagerly welcome the opportunity to participate in the creation of another egalitarian shul.
In the past, Jeff has enjoyed working with Rabbi Goldstein as Kolel High Holidays Gabbai. Now he’s looking forward to belonging to a congregation the other 50 weeks of the year. Davening, learning and commiserating with old and new friends – it doesn’t get better than that. Even if the Leafs do win it all some day. Ah well, a man needs a dream. But The City Shul? That’s reality.
Adrienne Rosen
Adrienne Rosen is the President and CEO of First International Courier Systems, which she cofounded in 1984. She holds an MA from the University of Toronto at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and is presently completing her Doctorate in Philosophy of Education at the University of South Africa. Adrienne is a co-founder, along with her spouse Myra White, of Access Education Guatemala Children's Fund, a charity that builds schools in Guatemala and puts kids in them.
She was a co-founder of Congregation Shir Libeynu in 1998 and is currently actively involved with Casa Hillel in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
In 1984 she became the first woman to go around the world alone on a motorcycle. As well she drove from Buenos Aires to Toronto in 26 days to raise funds for the December 6th fund which advances money to women to start a new life after leaving abusive relationships. These two trips put her "up close" and "in front" of poverty and hopelessness and influenced her decision to commit herself as a Jew to Tikkun Olam.
Adrienne lives with her partner Myra and teenage children Alana and Sally in Toronto.
She was a co-founder of Congregation Shir Libeynu in 1998 and is currently actively involved with Casa Hillel in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
In 1984 she became the first woman to go around the world alone on a motorcycle. As well she drove from Buenos Aires to Toronto in 26 days to raise funds for the December 6th fund which advances money to women to start a new life after leaving abusive relationships. These two trips put her "up close" and "in front" of poverty and hopelessness and influenced her decision to commit herself as a Jew to Tikkun Olam.
Adrienne lives with her partner Myra and teenage children Alana and Sally in Toronto.
Jonathan Wyman
Jonathan Wyman attended day school in Toronto (Bialik and CHAT) before studying Mechanical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Toronto and studying for a year at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He also attended Young Judea summer camps and worked for five summers at Young Judea's Camp Solelim, outside of Sudbury, Ontario.
Lunch with a friend one day led Jonathan to a career in film distribution. He is currently Vice-President of Mongrel Media, a Toronto company that distributes independent film, foreign language cinema, documentary films and Canadian feature films to Canadian audiences.
Jonathan's daughters Noa and Ezri attend the Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day school where he has run a small fundraising program for the school's Parents' Association. He is a volunteer at The Stop Community Food Centre's pizza oven program - bringing neighbours together around fresh, healthy food, has helped plan a neighbourhood street party in Regal Heights and serves on the Advisory Committee for Rethink Breast Cancer’s “Breastfest” – the world’s first film festival dedicated to breast cancer awareness and education. In the past four years Jonathan has been among the top fundraisers at The Taylor Cup - a pond hockey tournament that raises funds for research at Princess Margaret Hospital.
Jonathan and his family have attended holiday services at Kolel for 11 years - Noa and Ezri’s first trips to the bima were in their Dad’s arms as he read Torah on Rosh Hashanah. The girls (and Jonathan and Meredith) think of Rabbi Elyse as “their” Rabbi and are excited at the prospect of more frequent services downtown.
Lunch with a friend one day led Jonathan to a career in film distribution. He is currently Vice-President of Mongrel Media, a Toronto company that distributes independent film, foreign language cinema, documentary films and Canadian feature films to Canadian audiences.
Jonathan's daughters Noa and Ezri attend the Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day school where he has run a small fundraising program for the school's Parents' Association. He is a volunteer at The Stop Community Food Centre's pizza oven program - bringing neighbours together around fresh, healthy food, has helped plan a neighbourhood street party in Regal Heights and serves on the Advisory Committee for Rethink Breast Cancer’s “Breastfest” – the world’s first film festival dedicated to breast cancer awareness and education. In the past four years Jonathan has been among the top fundraisers at The Taylor Cup - a pond hockey tournament that raises funds for research at Princess Margaret Hospital.
Jonathan and his family have attended holiday services at Kolel for 11 years - Noa and Ezri’s first trips to the bima were in their Dad’s arms as he read Torah on Rosh Hashanah. The girls (and Jonathan and Meredith) think of Rabbi Elyse as “their” Rabbi and are excited at the prospect of more frequent services downtown.
Weiwei Su
Weiwei Su was born in Tianjin, China and moved to Northern California at the age of eight. In 2004 she moved to Beijing, where she worked both in front of and behind the camera at CCTV, the national television station, and at China Radio International, where she profiled leaders in the arts, culture, education and more for her self-produced weekly program.
She joined the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) Beijing office and later worked at Ogilvy & Mather Public Relations before moving with her husband Jonathan Campbell to Toronto in late 2010, after six years of living in Beijing.
Weiwei is currently a Communications Specialist at WWF Canada's headquarters. She completed the one-year Reform Jewish Information Class, converting to Judaism in early 2012. Weiwei has mastered the 6-braid challah and chocolate cinnamon babka, but otherwise has much to learn about Judaism. She is excited to continue her Jewish education through the City Shul and being involved in the community. She lives in Toronto with her husband Jonathan and their dog.
She joined the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) Beijing office and later worked at Ogilvy & Mather Public Relations before moving with her husband Jonathan Campbell to Toronto in late 2010, after six years of living in Beijing.
Weiwei is currently a Communications Specialist at WWF Canada's headquarters. She completed the one-year Reform Jewish Information Class, converting to Judaism in early 2012. Weiwei has mastered the 6-braid challah and chocolate cinnamon babka, but otherwise has much to learn about Judaism. She is excited to continue her Jewish education through the City Shul and being involved in the community. She lives in Toronto with her husband Jonathan and their dog.
Amos Adler
Amos is the President of MEMOTEXT Patient Adherence Solutions, a Health technology firm. In his previous life Amos was a "property guy" with expertise in the development of private and not-for-profit affordable housing, as well as residential, medical and commercial properties in and around the GTA—expertise he brings to the leadership team of the City Shul. Born and raised in one of Toronto's Orthodox congregations, Amos and his family are committed to creating a Jewish life that is Reform yet traditional, open-minded, reflective and creative. Educating their children in a Jewish day school, they are excited about the prospect of broadening their downtown Jewish community. Alongside his volunteer activities and his work, Amos is passionate about music and fitness. Teaching indoor cycling (spin) classes and training for extreme challenges keeps him sane.
Mark Greenberg
Mark and his wife Corin left their native South Africa where he graduated from medical school, did post-graduate training and came via Chicago to Toronto in 1970. He is the father of two children, Natasha and Josh, and grandfather of 2.7 - who are a great delight to their grandparents. In his other life, he is a pediatric oncologist, and together with Corin, founded and developed POGO , a remarkable collaboration of healthcare professionals that embodies the construct of serious illness as more than a biomedical issue, one that touches every facet of the life of the family and of society. Mark has served as chief of oncology at Sickkids, associate chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto, and North American President of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology, amongst other roles. He is an officer of the Order of Canada.
A true believer in liberal Judaism and tikkun olam, Mark (and Corin) believe that City Shul has the potential to embody the characteristics they have looked for in a shul over the years: an inclusive liberal, spiritual, social activist community of Jews of all stripes and all ages.
A true believer in liberal Judaism and tikkun olam, Mark (and Corin) believe that City Shul has the potential to embody the characteristics they have looked for in a shul over the years: an inclusive liberal, spiritual, social activist community of Jews of all stripes and all ages.
Lynn Kaplan
Lynn Kaplan brings a myriad of life experiences to her role as Family Mediator and Divorce Doula. Originally from Los Angeles, California, Lynn always enjoyed challenging boundaries. She steeped herself in art and animals, nature- threads she has woven throughout her life. Her travels took her through art school, to a kibbutz in Israel and finally to Toronto. Here she developed a deep commitment to working with young people and their families, and helping them to discover their spiritual and emotional potential.
Her involvements have included included a successful business, Whimz Live Animal Programs, which provides children and adults with a unique hands-on opportunity to learn about animals and their habitats; founding an arts-based Jewish Heritage Program; establishing and facilitating the Toronto branch of the Mother’s Circle, which provides support to interfaith families; and has served as a foster parent for Jewish Family and Child Services. She is also a mother to a grown daughter and a young son.
Lynn brings to the table an open, warm, direct style, and a nonjudgmental approach. In her own life, she has worked at turning obstacle into opportunity, and she motivates her mediation clients to do the same. You can read more about her at www.lynnkaplan.ca
Her involvements have included included a successful business, Whimz Live Animal Programs, which provides children and adults with a unique hands-on opportunity to learn about animals and their habitats; founding an arts-based Jewish Heritage Program; establishing and facilitating the Toronto branch of the Mother’s Circle, which provides support to interfaith families; and has served as a foster parent for Jewish Family and Child Services. She is also a mother to a grown daughter and a young son.
Lynn brings to the table an open, warm, direct style, and a nonjudgmental approach. In her own life, she has worked at turning obstacle into opportunity, and she motivates her mediation clients to do the same. You can read more about her at www.lynnkaplan.ca
Kim Beckman
Kim Beckman has made downtown Toronto her home since her arrival, from Boston, in 1983. Kim went to law school in Toronto, had her children here and looks forward to the day she will bring her grandchildren to the City Shul (hoping, of course, that her children read this and get on with it already). Kim has served on a number of community boards in Toronto.
Kim’s biological children, Zack and Ari Korn, attended the Downtown Jewish Community School and Hillel at U of T. Kim’s family also includes her husband, George Popper, and George’s biological children, Niki and Adam. The family was forged following significant personal loss following the untimely deaths of Zack and Ari’s father and Niki and Adam’s mother. While not all members of the Beckman/Popper/Korn family still live under the same roof, everyone still lives in downtown Toronto. All four children are impressive citizens of the earth, whether through engagement with environmental causes or providing service and support to those struggling with the fallout from trauma.
Kim yearns for a Jewish community that is welcoming and accessible to all members of her family. She is anxious to help build an inclusive shul in downtown Toronto that provides a year-round community. Kim and her family look forward to giving back to the wider community, in Canada and abroad, through efforts coordinated at the City Shul. Kim is also anxious to engage in educational programming at the City Shul that addresses divergent views and levels of Jewish education.
Kim’s biological children, Zack and Ari Korn, attended the Downtown Jewish Community School and Hillel at U of T. Kim’s family also includes her husband, George Popper, and George’s biological children, Niki and Adam. The family was forged following significant personal loss following the untimely deaths of Zack and Ari’s father and Niki and Adam’s mother. While not all members of the Beckman/Popper/Korn family still live under the same roof, everyone still lives in downtown Toronto. All four children are impressive citizens of the earth, whether through engagement with environmental causes or providing service and support to those struggling with the fallout from trauma.
Kim yearns for a Jewish community that is welcoming and accessible to all members of her family. She is anxious to help build an inclusive shul in downtown Toronto that provides a year-round community. Kim and her family look forward to giving back to the wider community, in Canada and abroad, through efforts coordinated at the City Shul. Kim is also anxious to engage in educational programming at the City Shul that addresses divergent views and levels of Jewish education.
Bernie Nisker
A native of Toronto, Bernie is happy to return to the downtown core close to where he grew up, and become involved in the City Shul community with Noreen, his wife of fifty-two years. Their three children are scattered around the globe; their adored two grandchildren live in Westchester County, New York.
Following a short career in professional baseball, Bernie became a Chartered Accountant. In between being a partner at both Soberman LLP (legacy Soberman, Isenbaum, Colomby & Nisker) and PwC (legacy Coopers & Lybrand), he was CFO of a public company. While at PwC, his practice included accounting, business consulting, marketing strategies, financial and tax services to a diversity of emerging entrepreneurial businesses. Later, as a senior consultant in the Corporate Finance practice, he worked closely with mid-market clients in investment banking, mergers and acquisitions.
Following his retirement from PwC, Bernie served as CEO for a manufacturing company in transition to its sale. He continues to act as a consultant, negotiating and completing divestitures, acquisitions and financing for mid-market companies. He is a member of boards of directors, and advisor to several companies.
Bernie still has a soft spot for baseball and appreciates living in the city where he can take advantage of sporting events and cultural activities usually available by walking or taking the Red Rocket. He looks forward to making a contribution to the City Shul and to its commitment to Jewish liberal values.
Following a short career in professional baseball, Bernie became a Chartered Accountant. In between being a partner at both Soberman LLP (legacy Soberman, Isenbaum, Colomby & Nisker) and PwC (legacy Coopers & Lybrand), he was CFO of a public company. While at PwC, his practice included accounting, business consulting, marketing strategies, financial and tax services to a diversity of emerging entrepreneurial businesses. Later, as a senior consultant in the Corporate Finance practice, he worked closely with mid-market clients in investment banking, mergers and acquisitions.
Following his retirement from PwC, Bernie served as CEO for a manufacturing company in transition to its sale. He continues to act as a consultant, negotiating and completing divestitures, acquisitions and financing for mid-market companies. He is a member of boards of directors, and advisor to several companies.
Bernie still has a soft spot for baseball and appreciates living in the city where he can take advantage of sporting events and cultural activities usually available by walking or taking the Red Rocket. He looks forward to making a contribution to the City Shul and to its commitment to Jewish liberal values.
