How does real community impact begin?

In this episode of The Schmooze, Don sits down with Marnie Bondar and Dahlia Libin, whose volunteer leadership transformed Holocaust education and remembrance in Calgary.

From the creation of Here to Tell to major public partnerships and survivor-centered education, their work has reached classrooms, cultural institutions, and tens of thousands of people across the city.

What started as a “crazy idea” became a model of how passion, persistence, and responsibility can shape a community.

This conversation explores leadership without titles, education that adapts to the moment, and the power of two people saying yes.

🎧 Listen now.

In this episode of The Schmooze, we sit down with Yael Berkovich for an honest conversation about Jewish and Israeli identity in Canada — and what it means to live openly and authentically on campus today.

Yael shares her journey from growing up in a Zionist household to navigating public school, university life, and student leadership, as well as the challenges Jewish students are facing in the post–October 7 climate. We explore pride, visibility, allyship, and why showing up still matters — even when it’s uncomfortable.

A thoughtful, grounded conversation about identity, courage, and the next generation of leadership.

In this episode of The Schmooze, we sit down with Emile Scheffel, Managing Director of CJPAC (the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee).

Emile shares his personal journey into Jewish advocacy, why civic engagement matters more than ever, and how real relationships — not outrage or slogans — shape political outcomes in Canada. We explore how Jewish Canadians and allies can meaningfully participate in democracy, combat antisemitism, and ensure our community’s voice is heard across the political spectrum.

This is an honest, grounded conversation about showing up, building trust, and strengthening the future of Jewish life in Canada — one relationship at a time.

What happens when hate is tolerated long enough to feel “normal”?

In this powerful episode of The Schmooze, we sit down with Rev. Mark Leach — Anglican pastor, lifelong ally, and founder of Australia’s grassroots movement Never Again Is Now Australia.

Mark shares:

• What he witnessed after October 7 and why silence is never neutral

• How the Bondi attack became a national wake-up call

• Why antisemitism is not a Jewish problem, but a threat to Western democracy

• What everyday Canadians can do right now — and why writing your MP actually works

• How citizen movements like Allies for a Strong Canada turn concern into real accountability

This conversation is raw, urgent, and deeply human.
If you care about Canada’s values, safety, and future — this is a must-listen.

🎧 Listen, reflect, and share.

Watch Mark stand tall on October 8th at the Sydney Opera House - (5) Pro-Palestinians chase Christian pastor holding Israeli flag in Sydney - YouTube

This special episode of The Schmooze was recorded in response to the Bondi Beach massacre and the questions it forces us to confront.

We sit down with Shuv for a direct and urgent conversation about:

• The attack at Bondi Beach and what it reveals about modern extremism

• The failure of mainstream media in Canada to report with clarity and moral consistency

• Why political leadership continues to repeat the same mistakes — and what happens when lessons are ignored

• The Liberal government’s approach to hate, extremism, and Bill C-9

• The growing inversion of truth and its impact on Jewish safety and Western democratic values

This is not a partisan discussion.
It is a conversation about truth, accountability, and the consequences of denial.

To our Jewish brothers and sisters: you are not alone.

🔗 Learn more about Shuv’s work or support the mission at shuv.ca

37 years ago a young rabbi from Casablanca by way of PalmSprings landed in post-Olympic Calgary with his wife and a crazy dream: build the future of Jewish life in Alberta.

Today, Chabad is the beating heart of our community, touching lives across every affiliation (and even those with none at all).

In this warm, funny, and deeply moving conversation, Rabbi Matusof pulls back the curtain on:

• Why he jokingly tells people “Shabbat services are boring — come during the week instead”
• How Chabad exploded from one couple to 16rabbis/rabbanits and 50+ staff while staying 100% donor-funded and membership-free
• The real story behind the mayor drama of the last two years and why he chose light over grudge
• The breathtaking growth on the new Chabad campus (150–200kids in camp, 80 women showing up for Kabbalah class, teens in limos visiting sukkahs, and yes… the espresso is still flowing)
• Why Hanukkah’s message has never felt more urgent: “A little bit of light pushes away a lot of darkness”

Plus: Don raves about Douglas Century’s new WWII rescuethriller “Crash of the Heavens” (hint: we’re booking Doug for a future episode).

And of course — your personal invitation to Calgary’s biggest,warmest, most joyful Jewish night of the year:

• Monday, December 15th – 5:30 PM
• Calgary City Hall Atrium
• 37th Annual Community Menorah Lighting
• Live music, school choirs, magic show, hot soup, latkes, dreidels, raffles & thousands of us celebrating light together.

Bring your family, bring your friends, bring your light.
Details & donations: menorah.ca

This episode will leave you proud, inspired, and ready to show up Monday night with a full heart.

Chag Chanukah Sameach from Don, Jared, and the entire Schmooze family

A Conversation with Rob Nagus, CEO of Calgary Jewish Federation

In this episode of The Schmooze, Don and Jared sit down with Calgary Jewish Federation CEO Rob Nagus for a deep and candid conversation about Jewish life in Calgary. Rob shares his personal journey from Montreal to Edmonton, Toronto, and finally Calgary, reflecting on identity, community, and belonging along the way.

Together, they unpack what Federation actually does—from advocacy and security, to community programming, to supporting schools, camps, and vulnerable families. The conversation also addresses the changing climate for Jews in Canada, the rise in antisemitism post–October 7, and why collaboration and engagement are more important than ever.

Whether you’re deeply involved in Jewish Calgary or just starting to reconnect, this episode offers clarity, direction, and inspiration.

Jared's Podcast Recommendation - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/what-is-happening-here-canadaland-investigates/id1438924421

Don's Podcast Recommendation -https://youtu.be/O4m_EL9Dj2U?si=yzsAveqoIexhQVT7

Welcome to the very first episode of The Schmooze — Calgary’s Jewish Community Podcast.
In this intro, Don and Jared share why the show was created, what conversations they hope to spark, and how they plan to highlight the people, stories, challenges, and celebrations that shape Jewish life in Calgary.

New episodes every week.

Thanks for listening to Episode 1 — we’re just getting started.