Sidney Cohen z”l, co-founder of Plan Electrical in Toronto, got involved with the Technion close to 50 years ago. At the time, his electrical engineering group was engaged with the Canadian Technion Society (now Technion Canada) and inspired him to get involved. His wife, Shirley, also volunteered on behalf of the Technion. In the 1980s, Shirl’s job was to visit local high schools to encourage students to sign up for the Science Fair the Canadian Technion Society sponsored at the Ontario Science Centre, for which the winner received a trip to the Haifa campus.

In 1983 Sid & Shirl created a scholarship after her father, Carl Tennen, passed away. Sid rose up in the ranks to become Toronto Chapter President in 1985 and 1986. The scholarship was later renamed the Carl and Esther Tennen z”l Memorial Scholarship and supported dozens of Technion students. Sid passed away in 2016. In his memory, Shirl decided to establish the Cohen Family Second Chance Scholarship to create an opportunity to help talented young people realize their dream of a career in science, technology or engineering through an education at Technion.

The Cohens made the Technion a part of their lives, and also made arrangements to make the Technion part of their legacy. With the commemoration of the Technion’s Centennial this year, we are so grateful that the Cohens’ generosity will continue into the university’s second century.

Shirl, now 95, is still going strong. She is an accomplished artist whose works have been commissioned all over the world. Thank you, Shirl, for your loyalty and generosity over the years. We are so grateful that you had the foresight to include Technion Canada as a beneficiary in your will, enabling future students to conduct transformative research in their chosen fields.

In honour of the Technion’s first 100 years, it is our hope to confirm 100 planned gifts. If you believe in the pioneering work and transformative potential of the Technion, and want to talk about leaving a bequest or making Technion Canada the beneficiary of a (new or current) life insurance policy, please contact Allie Seitelbach at 416.789.4545 x204 or allie@technioncanada.org

Jack and Phyllis Chisvin_z”l were devoted volunteers who were passionate about bettering the community and the Jewish value of tzedakah. Jack was an electrical engineer and the first designated Consulting Engineer in Ontario. Jack and Phyllis were regular donors to Technion Canada, and Jack served in leadership roles including National President, National Chair, and National Vice-President. He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and appointed as a Lifetime Member of the Board of Governors.

“Jack was a respected and thoughtful leader,” said Gary Goldberg, Past President, Technion Canada. “Those who were fortunate enough to know and have worked with Jack were enlightened and inspired by his sage advice and guidance.”

In honour of Jack and Phyllis’ long-time commitment to Technion Canada, the family created a philanthropic fund with the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto to provide an ongoing annual gift to Technion Canada. There is no doubt that Jack and Phyllis would be proud to see their lessons of tzedakah and their love of Israel endure, as their philanthropy continues to make an impact for future generations.