Episode Details

Over the past school year, The Canadian Jewish News' Local Journalism Initiative reporter, Mitch Consky, who covers education, has introduced readers to some exceptional students through his "Chai Achievers" series. He has profiled young Jewish Canadians making a difference on their post-secondary campuses or high schools, with leadership and community service.

As exams come to an end this week, Consky brought six such leaders together for a roundtable conversation about their actions and inspirations. They discuss how young Jews are responding to challenges on campus and at home, and why building connections, volunteering and creating opportunities for others is crucial to ensure a strong future for Jewish Canadians.

On today's episode of The CJN's North Star podcast, reporter Mitch Consky takes over the hosting duties, to interview:

• Maya Fuerstenberg, a TanenbaumCHAT graduate, who founded the Dalhousie Jewish Society in Halifax
• Anastasia Zorchinsky, founder of the StartUp Nation club at Concordia, in Montreal
• Levi Moskovitz of Vancouver's King David High School, who recently completed his term as BBYO's international treasurer
• Toronto twins Ava and Ezra Freiheit, and their friend Emma Rovner, who also attend TanenbaumCHAT, who founded "Chains for Change" to raise funds for Special Olympics athletes in Ontario

Related stories

• Read more about the students selected as The CJN Chai Achievers including: a trio who fundraises for Special Olympics ,  a CHAT graduate who built a Jewish club at Dalhousie University , a Vancouver leadership official with BBYO Internationa l, and the founder of the pro-Israel StartUp Nation club at Concordia University.
• Hear our interview with Levi Moskovitz on The CJN’s “North Star” podcast from Dec. 2025 on how he raised nearly $1 million for BBYO.
• Meet Yair Shpiler, who built Jewnity Sports, a 2025 CJN Chai Achiever .

Credits

• Host and writer: Ellin Bessner ( @ebessner )
• Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Izzie Helenchilde (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer), Alicia Richler (editorial director)
• Music: Bret Higgins

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