News Releases
Canadian Friends of Haifa University will be hosting a Tribute Dinner on Sunday, November 19 at The Fairmont Royal York, Toronto in honour of Elizabeth and Tony Comper (President and Chief Executive Officer of BMO Financial Group).
Committed to peaceful coexistence, the University of Haifa is the most pluralistic institution of higher education in Israel and provides equal educational opportunities to all sectors of Israeli society. New immigrants from countries including the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia and Latin America, together with Israeli Jews, Muslim and Christian Arabs, live and study together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance. Reflecting the population of Israel, 20% of the student body are Israeli Arabs.
It is fitting, therefore, that the University of Haifa has chosen to confer upon Elizabeth and Tony Comper its highest accolade, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Honoris Causa, in recognition of their activities, undertaken jointly and individually, in the areas of volunteerism; the mobilization of resources for social and cultural purposes; and, in particular, for their outstanding initiative in founding FAST (Fighting Antisemitism Together).
Participants in the conferment ceremony will include: The Hon. Irwin Cotler, Canada's former Minister of Justice and Attorney General, who received an Honourary Degree from the University of Haifa in 1992; former Chancellor of the University of Toronto, Dr. Rose Wolfe and the President of the University of Haifa, Prof. Aaron Ben-Ze'ev.
The Dinner is the culmination of a three-month fundraising campaign, proceeds from which are being directed toward the establishment of “The Elizabeth and Tony Comper Interdisciplinary Institute for the Study of Antisemitism and Racism” at the University of Haifa.
Campaign Co-Chairs are Eric Tripp and Thomas Milroy – Co-Presidents of BMO Capital Markets – and Hershell Ezrin, CEO of the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy. Sandra and Joseph Rotman will be the Emcees for the evening.
David Broza, international superstar, and native of Haifa, will be performing at the end of the formal part of the programme.
The evening's programme is as follows:
Photographers and reporters are invited to attend the VIP reception, as well as the Dinner:
5:00 – 5:45 p.m. Ballroom
VIP Cocktail Reception with Elizabeth and Tony Comper for special guests and dignitaries
5:00 – 5:45 p.m. Canadian Room Foyer
General Reception
6:00 p.m. Sharp
Elizabeth & Tony Comper are introduced and take their places
O
Welcome, Joe Rotman
6:15 p.m.
Appetizers
6:50 p.m.
Greetings from the State of
Canadian Friends of
The
7:05 p.m.
Main Course (
8:00 p.m.
Conferment Ceremony
Academic Procession:
President of the
Prof. Aaron Ben-Ze'ev
Vice President of the
Prof. Ada Spitzer
President of Canadian Friends of
Peter L. Biro
Chairman of the Executive Committee (
Moshe Gavish
1992 Recipient of Hon. Ph.D. (
The Hon. Irwin Cotler
2001 Recipient of Hon. Ph.D. (
Michael W. Davis
1987 Recipient of Hon. Ph.D. (
Rose Wolfe, C.M., O.Ont.
1996 Humanitarian Award Recipient (
Judy Feld Carr, C.M.
Life Member of the Board of Governors
Donald Carr, Q.C.
Member of the Board of Governors
Robert R. Amsterdam
Member of the Board of Governors
Arthur Dodek, M.D.
Member of the Board of Governors
Dory Tuvim
Recipients of Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa)
Elizabeth Comper
Tony Comper
8:05 p.m.
Tribute to the Honourees
Dr. Murray Frum
Prof. Ada Spitzer
Response by the Honourees
Elizabeth and Tony Comper
8:25 p.m.
Coffee and Dessert
8:45 p.m.
David Broza
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