Board of Directors & Congregation Leaders

To contact anyone listed on this page, please email shirlibeynuadmin@gmail.com

Board of Directors

Karen Charnow Lior (she/her) President

Karen has been a member of Shir Libeynu for over 20 years and was a member of the first Board of Directors. She came to Toronto from Israel with her family in 1987, leaving Kibbutz Gezer, of which she is a founding, former member. Her time on Gezer gave her experience, knowledge and expertise in community development.

Karen has over 25 years of experience related to public policy, programs and practice. She has a B.A. from the University of Maryland and a Master Degree in Environmental Studies from York University, with a focus on community development.

Currently, Karen works for the Labour Education Centre, which is a project of the Toronto York Region Labour Council. She was the chair of the Building Heart committee of Heart to Heart, a program that brings Jewish and Arab teenagers together each summer to learn about each other, break down barriers and build civil society.

Karen is the former chair of the Board of Directors of Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, an organization in Toronto’s downtown west that serves populations that have difficulty accessing primary health care.

Leslie Wolfe, (she/her),  Secretary/Communications

Leslie joined Congregation Shir Libeynu in 2018 for two reasons: because after the attack on worshippers at Tree of Life Synagogue in New Jersey, for the first time in many years, she felt the need to reconnect with the Jewish community; and because her daughter and cousins were already attending CSL, finding here a home as Jews and as members of the LGBTQQ2S+ community. Where they felt at home is where she wanted to be.

Leslie is a recently retired educator and union leader. During her 20+ years in union leadership she was an elected representative on a number of executive boards. Leslie believes that through this experience she has developed a good understanding of the purpose and function of boards in the non-profit sector, as well as a broad set of skills that she hopes will be an asset to the CSL Board and community.

Since February of 2022, Leslie has been volunteering as the CSL communications coordinator working in partnership with our administrator to create and edit our newsletter and our other various communications. She is also currently managing our Facebook and Instagram accounts. 

Furqan (“Furcon”) Qureshi (he/him)

I am a new member of Shir Libenyu, having joined in September 2023, shortly before the High Holidays. My introduction to the congregation was when I attended a friend’s B’Mitzvah and was immediately drawn to its progressive and inclusive spirit. I have been exploring Judaism and its essence and appreciate the power of connecting with community. My paternal roots are ethnically Sephardic Jewish. After settling in India in the 1900s, my father’s family converted to Sufi Islam and changed their last name. 

I hold a degree in Software Engineering (2017) and a Master’s Degree in Business & Entrepreneurship (2023) both from the University of Waterloo. Currently, I work for Wealthsimple, a Toronto fintech startup and I’m involved in engineering and product management. Also, I am actively working on my own venture on the side. 

I have 8 years of work experience in the technology startup scene. Outside of work, I have 2 dogs and enjoy the outdoors, and I am looking forward to being involved with the Shir Libeynu community and working with the board.

Lia Milito (she/her)

Lia is a new member of Shir Libeynu, having joined in 2022 after exploring congregations across the city. She was drawn to the community by its inclusive practice and musical and poetic approach.  

 Raised in a multifaith family in Rhode Island, Lia grew up part of a community of families with often unconventional Jewish paths who sang and learned together on Friday nights. She is committed to Tikkun Olam, and deeply interested in Jewish perspectives on community accountability and repairing harm.  

 Lia has nonprofit leadership experience, having cofounded Code for Canada, a national civic technology nonprofit. She currently works at the Ontario Digital Service, an organization within the Ontario Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery. She loves sports (especially basketball); growing, cooking, and eating plants; and sitting in the sun.

River Oliviera (he/they)

River was initially introduced to Shir Libeynu after being handed a bracelet from their booth at pride in 2017 that said ‘oy vey I’m gay!’ He officially became a member in 2021 after exploring different congregations around Toronto. He chose Shir Libeynu due to their commitment to inclusivity and musicality in Jewish life, worship, and learning.

He was raised in a very large Italian and Portuguese  family, and came to connect more with his Jewishness later in life. Through this winding path, he has been so appreciative of the welcoming and meaningful experiences he has had at Shir Libeynu.

River has community building experience through being a former president and long term member of the Queer Students Association at his alma matter. In this position, he fought to secure more funding, and an office space, so that the organization could rebrand and expand its reach across campus and into the city. With this expanded reach, they were able to provide resources for queer students in need both in and outside of the University. This experience has led him to work in the nonprofit sector as a marketing and communications manager Mixed Company Theatre, an arts company that does theatre for social change. After leaving his position, he is now working as a musician, artist-educator for youth, and a technician in the theatre and entertainment industries, where he helps make tech and art more accessible to audiences and practitioners alike. In his spare time, he loves to read, write poetry, whittle, and work with his hands through making art and tending to his little balcony garden.

Helen Spitzer  

Helen is a current member of the board who took the lead on implementing the Interfaith Outreach Grant.  She is the proud parent of Leonard who will be B’Mitzvah soon!  Helen also assisted with many other of the board’s projects and looks forward to continuing to work with the other members of the board in the coming year

Past Presidents

Karen Lior, 2023 – Present
Rebecca Sugarman, 2022 – 2023
Karen Lior, 2019 – 2022
Shlomo Gleibman, 2018 – 2019
Laurie Goodman, 2016 – 2017
Jamie Flagal, 2014 – 2016
Harriet Eisenkraft, 2012 – 2014
Eden Nameri, 2009 – 2012 

Congregation Leaders

Adult Education/Speaker Series Dorothy Rusoff

Bikur Cholim Dorothy Rusoff and Bonnie Smith; Organize and coordinate support for members who are members who are ill.

Chevra Kadisha Harriet Eisenkraft; Coordinating support of members who are at end of life or who are bereaved. 

Choir Director Vered Philip

Service Musicians Zev Frishman, Lorne Gould, Penny Winestock, Lorne Blumer, Ellie Goldenberg, Jamie Flagal, Harvey Weisfeld, and Ariela Weisfeld

If you are interested in making a contribution to our community, check out our Volunteering Page to learn about the many opportunities and how to get involved.