67th Annual B’nai Brith Dinner honours Notley

What started as a small gathering decades ago has grown into an event attended by hundreds of guests. The B’nai Brith Dinner has, in its 67-year history, seen more than 26,000 guests attend and has raised more than $4 million for local charities. Former prime minister Stephen Harper, UCP Leader Jason Kenney, former premiers Ralph Klein and Ed Stelmach — and even Eleanor Roosevelt — to name but a few have been honoured over the years for their amazing contributions to society.

And this year’s dinner, held April 19 at the Beth Tzedec Synagogue, honoured Premier Rachel Notley. She is only the fourth woman to receive the honour. Sure ‘pipeline politics’ were front and centre this night, but Notley assured the crowd of roughly 400 that the Kinder Morgan pipeline will be built. Deborah Yedlin, a Calgary Herald columnist and recently appointed U of C chancellor, and Field Law’s Steve Eichler did an admirable job as the evening ’s emcees.

Others in attendance included: Calgary Counselling Centre CEO Dr. Robbie Babins-Wagner; ACAD board chair Carol Ryder; dinner committee chair Howard Silver; B’nai Brith Calgary Lodge #816 president Dr. Robert Barsky; past president Joel Grotsky and his daughter Alysia Grotsky; Dr. Jay Barsky; Dr. Stuart Yaholnitsky; Dr. Jeffrey Dworkin; Mayor Naheed Nenshi; Mike and Linda Shaikh; Lorne Motley, Postmedia vice-president editorial for West region; Harmin Holdings’ Phil Libin; Herald columnist Don Braid and his wife, author Sydney Sharpe; philanthropist Sam Switzer and his daughter Darlene Switzer; Sam and Lauren Bell; David and Joan Taras; Western Sky Land Trust’s Ellen Magidson; RBC Wealth Management regional director in Alberta, Cal Malhiot; Krita Investments’ Ike Kolias; RGO’s John Sobotka; BMO’s Rob Caracciolo; Bell & Stock’s Karin Webster; Calgary Family Law Associates’ Sonja Lusignan; Vogel Lawyers’ Kathryn Tweedie; Intelica president Trent Schultz; Ben Dockter Award of Excellence recipient Darrel Janz; and Conservative Party of Canada nomination candidate for Calgary-Centre, Tamara Loiselle.

PHOTOS, BILL BROOKSs Premier Rachel Notley was honoured at the 67th Annual B’Nai Brith dinner April 19 at the Beth Tzedec synagogue. Joining the Premier is ACAD board chair Carol Ryder.

Field Law’s Steve Eichler and Calgary Herald business columnist Deborah Yedlin — recently appointed Chancellor of the University of Calgary — did an admirable job as emcees.

Alysia Grotsky and her proud dad Joel Grotsky.

From left, Joan and David Taras with Ellen Magidson.

From left, Dr. Jay Barsky, Dr. Stuart Yaholnitsky, B’Nai Brith Calgary Lodge No. 816 president Dr. Robert Barsky and Dr. Jeffrey Dworkin.

From left, Herald columnist Don Braid, Rabbi Mark Glickman, Harmin Holdings’ Phil Libin and author Sydney Sharpe.

From left, BMO’s Rob Caracciolo, RGO’s John Sobotka, RBC Wealth Management regional director of Alberta Cal Malhiot and Krita Investments’ Ike Kolias.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi with Linda and Mike Shaikh.

From left, Bell & Stock LLP’s Karin Webster, Calgary Family Law Associates’ Sonja Lusignan; Intelica president Trent Schultz and Vogel Lawyers’ Kathryn Tweedie.

Sam and Lauren Bell.

Sam Switzer and his daughter Darlene Switzer.