Eli Rubenstein OC is a religious leader, Holocaust educator, writer, storyteller, and filmmaker.

Since 1988, Eli Rubenstein has served as religious leader of Toronto's Congregation Habonim, the first synagogue in Canada founded by Holocaust survivors. Since then, he has guided Habonim’s growth from 80 families to more than 500 today. In 2015, together with his colleague, Rabbi Cantor Aviva Rajsky, Eli led the synagogue in a new building campaign. Groundbreaking took place in the summer of 2018 - the new expanded multi use building was opened in the fall of 2019.

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 (with Ve’ahavta)
• Holocaust education programs and film premieres
• Hosting performing groups and guest speakers
• Living Jewish Wisdom - A multi-denominational course ideal for those exploring a deeper connection to Judaism.

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

Other biographical highlights:

Eli Rubenstein served as National Director of March of the Living Canada from 1988 to 2024 and currently serves as Director of Education for International March of the Living. Eli also founded the March of Remembrance and Hope, bringing together diverse university students to study the Holocaust and its universal lessons.

He received the Canadian Jewish Book Award for his book, “For You Who Died I Must Live On” (1994),Ve’ahavta's Tikkun Olam Education Award (2008), the Miklos Kanitz Holocaust and Human Rights Education Award (2013), and was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2022. Among his most notable works are the CBC film, "Blind Love: A Holocaust Journey to Poland with Man's Best Friend” (2015) the book "Witness: Passing the Torch of Holocaust Memory to New Generations” (2020), and the i24 News documentary "Saving the World Entire: Rescuers During the Holocaust” (2023).

He 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 & Oprah Winfrey's 2006 visit to Auschwitz, viewed by millions worldwide.

Beyond Holocaust education, Eli served as President of the Canadian Friends of the Israel Guide Dog Centre for the Blind for 15 years and has supported humanitarian efforts through Ve’ahavta in Guyana and Zimbabwe.

A collection of his past sermons and articles may be viewed here:

http://www.sacredsearch.org/articles