Several Jewish Canadians are among the 80 appointments Governor-General Mary Simon made to the Order of Canada on Dec. 31, including two former Supreme Court of Canada justices, more than one Holocaust survivor, and an eclectic representation across areas of Canadian law, energy, music, journalism, dance and performance, environmental and social justice, and philanthropy.
Created in 1967, the Order is one of Canada’s top honours, and it has recognized more than 8,000 people from diverse sectors of Canadian society over its almost 50-year history.
“The contributions of these trailblazers are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country,” read a media release from the office of the governor general.
Former Supreme Court of Canada Justice Rosalie Abella was promoted to companion of the Order of Canada. Abella, who was the first refugee appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada as well as the first Jewish woman, retired in 2021, when she turned 75, and was credited with seminal social-justice court rulings, paving the way for same-sex marriage in Canada; advocating for women’s workplace rights; ensuring job opportunities for minorities; and enshrining the right to strike, as The CJN’s Ellin Bessner previously reported.
Former Supreme Court Justice Michael Moldaver was also appointed companion to the Order of Canada, “recognized for his distinguished service to Canadian law,” the release read. “As a Supreme Court Justice, he shaped criminal law and Charter jurisprudence. A respected educator and mentor, he contributed to legal scholarship and professional development, strengthening Canada’s justice system through decades of leadership, insight, and unwavering dedication.”
Neither Abella nor Moldaver, both of Toronto, could be reached for comment before press time.
Holocaust survivor and educator Elly Getz, of Toronto, whose 2018 memoir Flights Of Spirit “speaks to the importance of understanding the conditions that bring about genocide and serves as a genuine counterweight to Holocaust deniers,” was appointed a member of the Order of Canada.
Now 87, he’s been speaking for the last 30 years across Canada about his experience as a survivor. His incredible story includes surviving a year in the Dachau concentration camp, “through miracles,” trials and travels through Europe and then to Africa before moving to Canada in 1964. Gotz told The CJN in an interview he’s spoken to more than 250,000 students over the past 30 years.
“I’ve kept records,” he says of his professional appearances, which include both travel and virtual speaking engagements.
“I want to speak about the Holocaust, but not because I want to tell my story. Hate is very damaging to the brain. I speak about not hating, not drawing swastikas on toilet walls. That is why I speak. I speak to stop hate.”
The last group of recipients, announced June 30, 2025, included Holocaust survivor and educator Nate Leipciger among those honourees.
“I’m pleased that Holocaust survivors are getting the Order of Canada,” said Gotz. “It means that we have contributed in some way to Canadian culture, to Canadian understanding of the Holocaust.”
Originally from California, Vancouver’s Leonard Schein, who moved to Canada in 1972 for graduate school, operated several movie theatres, founded the Vancouver Film Festival in 1981, and led and programmed major film festivals in Montreal and Toronto. He currently sits on the board of governors of the University of British Columbia (UBC), with additional work on projects like Food Stash Foundation, supporting people in need; Story Money Impact Film Society, supporting Canadian documentaries; and past work with the David Suzuki Foundation.
He says he’s proud to receive the award, and reflected on one of the first repertory theatres he ran, in 1978, that showed films with Jewish themes—some even in Yiddish with subtitles.
Schein moved to Canada to attend University of Saskatchewan for graduate studies.
“I felt very welcomed when I moved to Canada. It was very easy to come to Canada at that time. I came in 1972 and Pierre Trudeau, who was prime minister, was welcoming all these young Americans to come,” he told The CJN.
“We had no big forms to fill out or anything. We just drove to the border [and] showed that we’ve been accepted,” he recalled.
“We shouldn’t be so anti-immigration,” he added. “There’s a lot of good people who want to come here because of conditions in their country, and we should make it easier for them like it was made easier when I came in 1972.”
Leonard Schein. (Photo courtesy of the University of British Columbia)
One of the newly appointed members of the Order, Alfred Kwinter—a leading insurance, property loss, and personal injury lawyer in Toronto—has “championed plaintiffs in landmark cases, served as director of the Advocates’ Society, and supported legal education initiatives with societies and associations,” the release read.
Kwinter told The CJN in an interview that it felt like a “wonderful New Year’s present” that the news was made public Dec. 31.
He marvels at the respect colleagues have shown to him about the appointment—including from lawyers with whom he’s faced off in courtroom battles, where he represents individuals going up against insurance companies.
Kwinter called it “heartwarming” to hear that “a very tough defence lawyer… one of my very tough opponents” had sent a letter of congratulations.
“It shows that if you show respect, if you are a decent upstanding person, you will have the respect of others,” said Kwinter.
He says his work in legal advocacy is rooted in Jewish beliefs and principles like menschlikeit. Born in Vienna, he arrived at Halifax’s Pier 21 at three years old, to parents who later opened a shop in Toronto’s Kensington Market.
He jokes that his youth, including working at the family store, made for a “Duddy Kravitz type of upbringing,” referencing the Mordecai Richler novel. “We raised ourselves, to a large extent.”
Montreal artist Cindy Schwartz, a founder and the director of Les Muses, “Canada’s first full-time professional performing arts training program for neurodivergent adults,” was also among those appointed as a member of the Order of Canada.
“Cindy Schwartz has played a key role in championing diversity across arts and media,” the governor general’s release read. “She has fostered representation, empowered artists, and expanded opportunities for meaningful participation in cultural life.”
Ottawa-based art historian Reesa Greenberg was also appointed, recognized “for her innovative contributions to art history and museology,” read the release.
“A trailblazer in feminist and exhibition studies, she has advanced digital documentation of Canadian art and supported key cultural institutions. Her transformative philanthropy includes restoring Canada’s Pavilion in Venice, ensuring its legacy for future generations.”
Also appointed was the music journalist, radio host and true Canadian original, Nardwuar the Human Serviette, whose parents were Jewish. He posted a video and wrote, in part: “So humbled that people thought I was worthy of this honour and nominated me. I am in awe! Like I can’t even explain myself so I can’t imagine how people would explain me to the committee!”
Nardwuar the Human Serviette with Snoop Dogg. (Screenshot via Facebook)
Nardwuar’s thanks included to supporters over the year of his weekly Vancouver radio show, which has been on the air since 1987.
“I would like to dedicate this Order of Canada to my late Mom who taught me so much about history, local independent media, and the value of research,” wrote Nardwuar. “I know that she would be, like me, overcome with joy!”
With his signature sound, he signed off: “Doot doola doot doo… Order of… Canada!”
