Goldie Hershon

Goldie Brenda Hershon (July 25, 1941 – December 4, 2020) was a Canadian activist from Montreal and former president of the Canadian Jewish Congress (1995–1998).[4] Her presidency was marked by the focus on national unity, support for Jewish communities living in smaller Canadian centres, aid to Jewish communities in places like the former Soviet Union, and the prosecution of Nazi war criminals living in Canada.[5][6]

Goldie Hershon
President of the Canadian Jewish Congress
In office
1995–1998
Preceded byIrving Abella
Succeeded byMoshe Ronen
Personal details
Born
Goldie Brenda Libman[1]

(1941-06-25)June 25, 1941
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
DiedDecember 4, 2020(2020-12-04) (aged 79)[2]
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
NationalityCanadian
Spouse(s)
Sheldon Hershon
​
(m. 1959)​
[3]

Biography

Born to Polish Jewish immigrants in the Park Avenue district of Montreal, Hershon attended United Talmud Torahs, Herzliah High School, and Baron Byng High School.[7] She later received a certificate in family life education from Concordia University.[8]

Hershon became involved in Jewish advocacy after a 1979 visit to Auschwitz.[9] Prior to seeking the presidency, Hershon served as national vice-president of the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), Chair of the CJC National Plenary Assembly, Vice-Chair of the North American branch of the World Jewish Congress, and member of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. She was Chair of the CJC Quebec Region from 1989 to 1992.[10] For more than a decade, she was active in the Soviet Jewry Movement.[11][12][13]

In fighting against Quebec separatism, she made her mark leading the Canadian Jewish Congress's national unity strategy.[14][15] Hershon was instrumental in forming a national coalition of Canada's Italian, Greek and Jewish communities during the debate on the Charlottetown Accord.[16]

Among other activities, Hershon was involved in the effort to retrieve deposits made into Swiss banks by victims of Nazi persecution during and prior to World War II.[17] She was a member of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's contingent at the funeral of assassinated Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, and addressed the House of Commons Justice Committee in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.[18][19]

References
  1. "Goldie Brenda Libman" (1941). Drouin Collection. Montreal: Institut Généalogique Drouin.
  2. Arnold, Janice (December 8, 2020). "Obituary: Goldie Hershon, Former CJC President, was 79". Canadian Jewish Record. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  3. "Social Notes – Montreal". Canadian Jewish Review. 18 December 1959. p. 78.
  4. Singer, David; Seldin, Ruth R., eds. (1996). American Jewish Year Book. 96. New York: The American Jewish Committee. p. 203. ISBN 0-87495-110-0.
  5. Irwin Block (May 16, 1995). "CJC president's 16-vote win fuels bitter feelings; Hampstead activist Goldie Hershon elected to top post amid confusion". The Montreal Gazette. p. A3. ISSN 0384-1294.
  6. Lazarus, David (May 21, 1998). "Hershon Reflects on Her Term as CJC President". The Canadian Jewish News. p. 24.
  7. Stoliar, Frances E., ed. (1958). Echo '58. Montreal: Baron Byng High School. p. 21.
  8. Arnold, Janice (April 19, 1989). "Rethink policy on Soviet Jews: Hershon". The Canadian Jewish News. Montreal. p. 23.
  9. Bull, Rob (May 23, 1995). "New Jewish leader rose from ranks: Auschwitz rage fuelled Hershon". Winnipeg Free Press. p. A13.
  10. "Hershon, Goldie" (1989-1990) [Textual record]. Organizational records, Fonds: CJC0001, Series: ZB. Montreal: Canadian Jewish Heritage Network, Canadian Jewish Congress.
  11. "Hershon to address federation annual meeting" (PDF). Edmonton Jewish Life. May 1996. p. 6.
  12. Shepherd, Harvey (April 3, 1989). "Jewish congress changing emphasis on aid in Soviet Union: Quebec leader". The Montreal Gazette. p. A4. ISSN 0384-1294.
  13. Rosen, Wendy (January 22, 1987). "Hunger strike taking its toll on Refusenik". The Canadian Jewish News. p. 6.
  14. Farber, Bernie (2 February 2017). "The powerhouse women of Canadian Jewish Congress". The Canadian Jewish News.
  15. "CJC to maintain role in boosting Canadian unity". The Canadian Jewish News. 36 (41). Victoria. 15 February 1996. p. 22. ISSN 0008-3941. ProQuest 351423336.
  16. Sallot, Jeff (May 17, 1995). "New president wants CJC to be more active: Winner of bitter leadership race is convinced fences will be mended soon". The Globe and Mail. p. A4. ISSN 0319-0714. ProQuest 1143983045.
  17. Vienneau, David (March 5, 1997). "Local survivors of Holocaust seek help from Swiss fund: About 100 people 'believe they have credible claims'". The Toronto Star. p. A9. ProQuest 437666009.
  18. Clément, Éric (November 6, 1995). "Nombreux messages de sympathie" (PDF). La Presse. p. B3.
  19. Curry, Bill (November 5, 2001). "Overhaul "dated" CSIS Act: Inkster". The Hill Times.
Preceded by
Irving Abella		 President of the Canadian Jewish Congress
1995–1998		 Succeeded by
Moshe Ronen
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