Who We Are

Founded by Eric Frydman and Elinor Izmaylov in response to the need for a unified voice and platform, CJLA has since developed a full executive board. Eric Frydman currently serves as President, with Esther Mendelsohn as Vice President.

Our network now exceeds 1,000 members across Canada. Through ongoing events, advocacy efforts, and strategic partnerships, we continue to strengthen and expand our impact.

Mission
CJLA empowers the Jewish legal community and its allies to combat antisemitism and all forms of discrimination. To achieve this, we provide expert advocacy, promote access to justice, advance education, and foster respectful dialogue. We are proud Zionists, committed to strengthening our community through advocacy for Israel alongside our other important initiatives.

We believe that effective advocacy depends on offering legal professionals meaningful opportunities for professional development, training, networking, and community building. The success of any organization hinges on supporting members’ growth in their legal careers while deepening the bonds between Jewish legal professionals.

Our Impact
Since our inception, CJLA has hosted numerous CPD-accredited events, including community education on antisemitism and Holocaust denial, as well as celebrations of Jewish diversity within the legal profession. Our events foster networking, mentorship, and solidarity among legal professionals.

We take pride in bringing together lawyers, community leaders, and elected officials to raise awareness and inspire collective action against hate.

Distinguished Speakers Have Included:

• Hon. Doug Downey – Attorney General of Ontario

• Avi Abraham Benlolo – Founder and Chairman, The Abraham Global Peace Initiative

• Robert Jan van Pelt – Holocaust scholar and architectural historian; Professor, University of Waterloo

• Mark J. Freiman – Former Deputy Attorney General of Ontario

• Karen Restoule – Vice President, Crestview Strategy; former Alternate Executive Chair, Human Rights Tribunal

• Rabbi Yael Splansky – Senior Rabbi, Holy Blossom Temple

• Katherine Stephenson – Unit Commander, Hate Crime Unit

• Leslie Church – Member of Parliament for St. Paul’s

• Don Stewart – Former Member of Parliament for St. Paul’s

• Troy Ungerman – Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright

• Kathryn Marshall – Founder of Marshall Law; women’s rights advocate

• David Matlow – Partner, Goodmans LLP; Times of Israel contributor

• Rachel Silber – Counsel, Aird & Berlis LLP; advocate in Deschênes Commission declassification

• Akilah Allen-Silverstein – Co-founder, No Silence on Race

• Dyanoosh Youssefi – Chair, Social Action Committee, Narayever Synagogue; former criminal defence lawyer

• Ilanit Shete – Director, English Learning Program, Friends by Nature; exchange program organizer