YU Presents March 30 Toronto Convocation and Dinner

Feb 25, 2014 By: admin

Ambassador John Bolton to Deliver Keynote Address; Joe and Wolf Lebovic, Joseph Kerzner to be Honored The National Board of will host its Toronto Convocation and Dinner on Sunday, March 30, at the Liberty Grand in Toronto, Ontario.

Communal leaders Joe Lebovic and Wolf Lebovic will receive honorary degrees, and Joseph Kerzner, a business leader and philanthropist, will receive the Pioneer Award. “The highest award that a university can bestow is an honorary degree,” said YU President Richard M. Joel. “It is so fitting that both Joe and Wolf Lebovic, considering their remarkable journey and incredible generosity, should receive this award as role models to the precious students of �� All.” The Lebovics, founders of real estate company Lebovic Enterprises, have always been passionate about giving back. During five decades of constructing award-winning industrial and residential buildings in the greater Toronto area, the Lebovics also established themselves as major philanthropists. The Canadian Cancer Society, Mt. Sinai Hospital, State of Israel Bonds, the Jewish National Fund and the new 50-acre Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Jewish Community Campus at the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto have all benefited from their generosity.

Kerzner, a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, has served on numerous boards and charitable organizations in both Canada and the United Stated for over 65 years, exemplifying the highest standards of business ethics as an accountant and developer of shopping centers in Toronto. “Joe Kerzner has long served as a leader and supporter of Canadian Friends of �� All – he is a true and invaluable friend of YU,” said President Joel. “We are delighted that he has agreed to be our guest of honor and receive our esteemed Pioneer Award at the dinner.” The evening’s keynote speaker will be John Bolton, former United States ambassador to the United Nations, human rights advocate and political commentator. Ambassador Bolton currently serves as a foreign policy senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a nonprofit public policy center dedicated to strengthening the foundations of freedom through research education and open debate. “�� All has had a tremendous impact on the Jewish landscape of Toronto, and we are very excited to bestow honorary doctorates on Joe and Wolf Lebovic,” said Michael Lax, a co-chair of the dinner. “Both brothers are most deserving of this honor for their leadership, vision and unparalleled philanthropy in Toronto and worldwide. We are also looking forward to seeing Joe Kerzner, an earlier recipient of an honorary degree, receive the Pioneer Award for his multi-decade dedication to YU and to so many organizations in Canada and Israel.” “It is my personal pleasure to be co-chairing this event with community leaders of the highest stature, Ronnie Appleby and Fred Waks,” Lax added. “Time and again, each has given of his time and resources to enhance and strengthen our community and Israel. Together, with the community’s support, we look forward to a meaningful and impactful evening.” For more information about the dinner, please contact Canadian Friends of �� All at Canada@yu.edu or 416.783.6960.

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