Turning Sideline Passion to Frontline Action

Joanna Mirsky Wexler is the Atlantic Jewish Council representative of the National CIJA Board, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Shaar Shalom Congregation and teaches language and Jewish history at the Halifax Hebrew school. Active in interfaith circles for more than 35 years, Joanna is the Co-Chair of Interfaith Harmony Halifax. She has worked with youth, mental health, arts, and environmental education in Canada, Central America, Asia and Israel. A former Camp Kadimah Director, Joanna approaches political activism inspired by these experiences; through a lens of Jewish pride, making new friends, and doing good.

Alexandra is a mother, teacher, Trustee, and community advocate. She is an alumna of Queen's University where she first became involved in Israel advocacy, and developed an affinity for politics through the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee Fellowship program. In 2016, her passions for education, advocacy, and politics culminated in a successful campaign electing her as a Trustee to the Toronto District School Board, where she has served for the past 7 years over three terms. During her time at the Board, Alexandra has been vocal in confronting antisemitism in the public school system. Alexandra holds a Bachelor's of Education and Montessori Diplomas for Early Childhood and Elementary levels. She has been teaching at the Montessori Jewish Day School since 2017. 

Emile Scheffel is a strategic communications and corporate affairs consultant based in Calgary, helping clients build trust, drive action, and grow the value of their brands. He has served as a political staffer in the British Columbia Premier’s Office and Ministry of Health, as communications director and then executive director of the BC Liberal Party (now BC United), and as a community affairs leader in Canadian corporations. An alumnus and former co-chair of the CJPAC Fellowship Program, Emile earned a Masters in Political Management from Carleton University’s Clayton H. Riddell Graduate Program.

Yaffa Tegegne is a biracial Ethiopian-Ashkenazi Jew born in Montreal. Her father, the late Baruch Tegegne, is known globally as a community leader and activist credited with initiating the Aaliyah of Ethiopian Jewry to Israel. Her roots, heritage and education support her passion for public service. Since her father’s passing in 2010, Yaffa has committed herself to pursuing his legacy, advocating on behalf of the Ethiopian Jewish community. She serves as a consultant and speaker on Ethiopian Jewish history, culture, community, and Jewish diversity and represents the Canadian Jewish community at provincial, national, and international organizations as well as at various levels of government.

A Windsor-based business and community leader, Noah Tepperman serves on the National Advisory Board for CJPAC and on the New Democratic Party Riding Association for Windsor-Tecumseh. He is the founder and chair of a Jewish NDP ad-hoc group advising the Ontario and federal NDP on issues affecting the Jewish community. Noah serves on the Leadership Council for ProsperUs, an initiative he founded as a collective of non-profit, government, healthcare, education, labour, business, and inspired residents with a shared vision of a prosperous Windsor-Essex County. He serves on the Board of Directors for United Way Windsor-Essex and is a past chair and co-founder of UW’s Emerging Philanthropists program.