BBYO Eastern Canada Board Chair Joel Marans (right) presents the inaugural Mark Silverstein Alumni of the Year Award to Steven Shulman in recognition of his outstanding leadership, service, and lifelong commitment to the Jewish community. Photo: FJ Sarmiento.
Named in honour of former Board Chair Mark Silverstein, this award recognizes an exceptional alumnus of BBYO Eastern Canada who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, commitment, and impact in the Jewish community and the broader community.
At BBYO Eastern Canada’s Celebration of Leadership in June 2026, we were proud to present the inaugural Mark Silverstein Alumni of the Year Award to Steven Shulman.
Established by BBYO Eastern Canada and its Alumni Association, the Mark Silverstein Alumni of the Year Award recognizes alumni whose leadership, service, and commitment to Jewish community reflect the values that Mark embodied throughout his life.
It is only fitting that our Alumni of the Year Award bears Mark’s name. A devoted BBYO volunteer, leader, and champion of Jewish teen engagement, Mark played a pivotal role in securing BBYO’s future in our region. When B’nai Brith Canada was facing significant financial challenges and could no longer support BBYO, Mark was instrumental in creating a new charitable organization with its own governing board to ensure BBYO’s future. As Board Chair for a number of years, he worked tirelessly to secure community support and funding, ultimately helping forge a partnership with UJA Federation of Greater Toronto that carried BBYO through a critical period and positioned the organization for long-term success.
Mark passed away in 2015, but his legacy lives on through every Aleph and BBG who has benefited from BBYO in Eastern Canada since.
Steven Shulman is a highly deserving inaugural recipient. A proud BBYO alumnus of Raome AZA #1016, former Lake Ontario Region Regional Aleph Godol, and winner of the 1982 AZA Max F. Baer International Oratory Contest, Steven exemplifies the lifelong impact of BBYO leadership.
Throughout his distinguished career, Steven has dedicated himself to strengthening Jewish life in Canada and around the world. Today, as President & CEO of Jewish Federations of Canada–UIA, he helps unite federations across the country, deepen connections with Israel, and support Jewish communities at home and abroad. Previously, he held senior leadership roles at UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and Canadian Jewish Congress, and in 2023 was recognized by the Jerusalem Post as one of the World’s 50 Most Influential Jews.
Congratulations, Steven, on this well-deserved honour. We are proud to celebrate your remarkable accomplishments, your lifelong commitment to Jewish community, and the example you continue to set for the next generation of Jewish leaders.