Sending our love and strength to the family of Michael Mostyn z"l
I remember the day I met Michael Mostyn. It was the Spring of 2016 and the Director of Communications of B’nai Brith Canada was in the process of convincing me to join his department.
“Just meet Michael,” he said to me.
We met at the Second Cup near Bathurst and Steeles. I immediately liked Michael. He radiated with this immense and unmistakable energy – for B’nai Brith, the Jewish community, human rights, and Canada.
When he spoke about his role at B’nai Brith (he was two years in as CEO at the time), you could tell that he was serious about his intentions – but there was more to it than that. The passion in his voice was obvious, palpable, and urgent. He convinced me on the spot that B’nai Brith was going to exponentially grow over the next five years – and that I could be a part of it.
Over the next four years, I saw Michael’s vision come to life. I saw the respect he received and the attention he demanded. I experienced firsthand his zest for meaningful advocacy and for a better Canada. It had an incredible impact on me.
The team at B'nai Brith Canada in the summer of 2017
Today, when I think about creating an organization based on allyship, I can tell you without hesitation that it was Michael Mostyn who gave me the idea. It was Michael who was building bridges with Iranians and Hindus and Christian Canadians far before it was in vogue. And it was Michael who gave me the opportunity to take part in TV, print, and radio interviews on behalf of B’nai Brith. He gave me the push that I needed and I learned a great deal from him.
It was Michael who supported me as a mentor, consultant, and friend when I left B’nai Brith to pursue a career as a leader in the Jewish community. It was Michael who vouched for me when he recommended I join the Toronto For All campaign to promote awareness of antisemitism in the city.
And as the CEO of B’nai Brith Canada, it was Michael who renewed the organization’s vivacity, strategic vision, and status in the community.
Michael was always on. He somehow managed to be a loving and devoted father while running one of the country’s most well-known human rights organizations. There were a few things you noticed about him – one was that he never complained. He always had an idea up his sleeve. He personified the words fighter and strength – and anyone who came up against him knew it.
But to me – it was his incredible generosity that really made me recognize how lucky I was to have him as a mentor. He gave his time to anybody. He was the kind of person who would respond to a ridiculous or stupid idea with constructive criticism and optimism. He could turn anything into gold.
Basically, Michael Mostyn made you better. You benefitted simply from being around his aura of energy, passion, intelligence, and optimism. Being in the war room with him was an unmatched experience – to this day. Whether you were an intern, a CEO or a prime minister, Michael Mostyn treated you with class, respect, and objectivity. He made you feel heard. And he brought us all up through that.
With the Toronto for All committee and former Mayor John Tory in September 2022
It wasn’t until I left B’nai Brith and I was tasked with making strategic advocacy decisions that I realized how much I learned from Michael. And as I started my career as a fundraiser, I was fortunate enough to continue to have Michael’s ear and continue to learn from him.
I don’t think our community realizes, either, how lucky we have been to have Michael as a leader, general, and mensch of all mensches. I believe with all my heart that the impact we make on those around us is how we continue to live in death – and that the power and positivity of Michael Mostyn’s efforts will be felt in Canada for decades, if not centuries, to come.
MM, you were a leader, a visionary, and too big for this world. I vow to continue to put into practice what you taught me – as an Israel advocate, a leader, and a father. Our community will continue to fight for Israel, for Zionism, and for human rights – just as you taught us.
Baruch Dayan HaEmet. Sending our love to the entire Mostyn family.
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