Crossing the Bridge: Preparing for the Unforeseen
Thursday, January 27, 2022, 7:30 pm
Learn more & join the series here
The first part of Crossing The Bridge addresses the unforeseen challenges often encountered in end-of-life planning. Joined by Rabbi Arshinoff, Rabbi Torcyner and Ronald Appleby (Q.C.), and moderated by our very own Naomi Parness, this session focuses on organ donation, living will, power of attorney, trusts, and funeral planning.
Rabbi Dr. Rena Arshinoff
RN, BA, MHSc, MAHL, PhD
Rabbi Arshinoff completed a PhD in Palliative Care from Lancaster University in England focusing on Parkinson’s Disease. Rabbi Arshinoff sat on the Board of Directors of Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains for six years, and currently sits on the Advisory Committee of Neshama Jewish Hospice. For 12 years, she taught with the Bereavement Education Certificate program at University of Toronto in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Bereavement Education and Grief Counselling. She holds an adjunct lecturer appointment with the Division of Palliative Medicine at University of Toronto as well as the Institute for Life Journey and Aging. She facilitates seminars for medical students and wellness sessions for palliative care residents and fellows.
She also is a registered psychotherapist and registered nurse. She currently works at Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care as Rabbi/Spiritual Care Practitioner with Palliative Care, Complex Continuing Care, independent living, and Movement Disorders as well as private grief therapy practice.
Ronald Appleby
Ronald Appleby, Q.C. was born September 10, 1944, in Toronto, Ontario, the son of Moishe and Jenny Appleby. Ronnie married Bunnie Spring in 1967 and they have four wonderful children, Dawn, married to Todd Bercovich; Corry, married to Neil Greenbaum; Kyle married to Mira Margolis; and Marni married to Peter Tanenbaum and nine adorable grandchildren (and step-grandchildren), Emma, Jacob, Dylan, Ben, Noah Ryan, Justin, Abby and Sabrina.
Ronald Appleby, Q.C. is the senior partner in the Toronto law firm, Robins, Appleby LLP. He is an expert in tax and estate planning and is a legal and business advisor to many of the most prominent families in the city. Ronnie received a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto in 1965 and his LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1968 and was the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships. In 1982 he was appointed Queen’s Counsel. Over the years, Ronnie has been a frequent author and lecturer on legal topics and from 1974 to1989 he was a special lecturer at Osgoode Hall Law School. He is and was also a member of the Board of Directors of several corporations, both public and private.
Ronnie has been a prominent leader in the community for many years. He has been, amongst his many leadership roles, past Chairman of the Baycrest Foundation, National Chairman of the Canadian Friends of Hebrew University, Chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, Chairman of the Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto, and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Theological Seminary. He has chaired major fundraising events for Mt. Sinai Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, the Weizmann Institute, Reena Foundation, CHAT, the Jewish National Fund, Baycrest, the Hebrew University, Yeshiva University and the Jerusalem Foundation. In 1977, he was the recipient of the Federation Leadership Development Award. In 2001 Ronnie received the Sadowski Award of UJA Federation for outstanding lifetime contribution and the 2004 Negev Dinner, attended by 1,500 people, was held in his honour. In 2009 Ronnie received an Honourary Doctorate from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and in 2012 he received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee award medal from the Government of Canada.
