Eli Rubenstein is the Religious Leader of Congregation Habonim, a liberal synagogue in Toronto founded by Holocaust survivors. Serving since 1988, he has guided Habonim’s growth from 80 families to more than 500 today.

Eli believes a synagogue should be a warm, welcoming place—where services are stimulating, inclusive, and meaningful. With his guitar and a love of storytelling, he brings joy and reflection to Habonim’s community life.

Projects Eli has advanced at Habonim include:

• Annual Passover Seder for the Homeless (with Ve’ahavta)
• Creative Writing Contest for the Homeless
• Holocaust education programs and film premieres
• Hosting performing groups and guest speakers

Alongside Cantor Esther Ghan Firestone z”l, Eli co-founded the Habonim Youth Choir, whose music has inspired audiences worldwide.

Other biographical highlights:

He is the National Director of the March of the Living, an annual educational program that brings Jewish youth from around the world to Poland and Israel to commemorate the Holocaust and celebrate Israel’s independence.

Eli also founded the March of Remembrance and Hope, bringing together diverse university students to study the Holocaust and its universal lessons.

He edited For You Who Died I Must Live On… Reflections on the March of the Living, a Canadian Jewish Book Award recipient, and produced Songs for the March of the Living and Lay Down Your Arms, a music video promoting peace.

As a writer and storyteller, Eli has contributed to numerous publications including The Montreal Gazette, The Ottawa Citizen, and CBC Radio & Television. He assisted The Oprah Winfrey Show with Elie Wiesel’s visit to Auschwitz, viewed by millions worldwide.

Beyond Holocaust education, Eli serves as President of the Israel Guide Dog Centre for the Blind and has supported humanitarian efforts through Ve’ahavta in Guyana and Zimbabwe.

He was honored with the Ve’ahavta Tikkun Olam Education Award for his transformative work in Holocaust and anti-racist education.

Contact: elir@bell.net