At the Weizmann Canada gala in Montreal on May 26, guests heard from Weizmann Institute professors Asaph Aharoni, left, and Ron Milo. Former CBC broadcaster Heather Hiscox hosted the event. (photo from Weizmann Canada)
On May 26, Weizmann Canada held a sold-out national gala in Montreal that raised $9 million net of expenses for scientific research on environmental sustainability.
Seeding Hope: The National Gala to Empower a Sustainable Tomorrow, presented by the Dr. Joseph Lebovic and Dr. Wolf Lebovic foundations, brought more than 300 Weizmann Canada supporters together from across the country. Held at Windsor Station, it was a celebration of research focused on climate change, alternative energy, food security and nutrition.
Speaking at the gala, Weizmann Canada chief executive officer Susan Stern expressed gratitude for the science and those who support it. This fundraising effort comes at a time when the climate crisis is accelerating, from extreme weather and biodiversity loss, to rising pollution and global food insecurity. The Weizmann Institute of Science has made environmental sustainability one of its priority areas of research.
The focus on environmental science at Weizmann began through the leadership of Canadians. Decades ago, Canadians funded early solar energy research that has now expanded into a multidisciplinary powerhouse of more than 60 labs dedicated to sustainability.
At the gala, guests were treated to an immersive, multi-sensory event in which the science took centre stage. They heard from professors Asaph Aharoni and Ron Milo.
In his lab, Milo has been able to genetically engineer bacteria that feed off carbon dioxide rather than sugar. He described how he is now developing new ways to use solar energy to fuel the fermentation process that pulls carbon dioxide out of the air, with the goal of improving the efficiency of food and fuel production.
Aharoni is focused on engineering plants and microbes to fight world hunger and malnutrition. His work looks for ways to improve crop nutrition and resistance to disease, drought and other harsh conditions. His discoveries have also led to environmentally sustainable alternatives to the harmful chemicals in food, textiles and other materials.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Aharoni. “We are doing all kinds of stuff that will make our world more sustainable, healthy and environmentally friendly.”
Former CBC broadcaster Heather Hiscox hosted the event and recognized Canadian visionaries whose generosity has had a global impact. There was a special tribute to the legacy of Tom and Mary Beck and their early support of environmental research at the Weizmann Institute.
Other honourees were Nathalie and Laurent Amar; Rochelle Rubinstein, representing the families of H&R; Darlene Switzer-Foster and Bill Foster, honouring the memory of Sam Switzer; and Linda Cherry Soudack, honouring the legacy of Sigmund (Siggy) Soudack. Danielle Bitton received the Marvelle Koffler Award for Women of Distinction in recognition of her exceptional dedication to community leadership and philanthropy.
Several West Coasters were in attendance, including Weizmann Canada’s Vancouver chapter president Moira Stillwell; Telus chief executive officer Victor Dodig; and former Vancouverites Cheryl Brownstein and Rick Schweiber.
– Courtesy Weizmann Canada