Dorothy Reitman

Dorothy Reitman (born 1932) served as first female president of the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) from 1986 to 1989.^[1]

Reitman's parents emigrated from Odessa in her infancy. She was educated at McGill University and, in 1952, married Cyril Reitman of the Reitmans retailing family.^[2][1]

She was a founding member of the Portage Program for Drug Dependency, the Council of Canadian Unity, and Auberge Shalom for Battered Women. She also helped establish Kosher Meals on Wheels in Montreal.^[1]

Among the chairmanships she has held are the honorary chair of the McGill University Centre for Research and Teaching for Women, co-chair of the Canadian Conference of Christians and Jews, chair of the Commonwealth Jewish Foundation of Canada, vice-president of the Commonwealth Jewish Council, and trustee of the Commonwealth Jewish Trust. She also served as president of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada from 1975–1977.^[1]

Reitman defeated Moshe Ronen, who would later win the position, for the CJC presidency in 1986.^[2] In 1992, she was awarded the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case for having "advocated women's equality and opened roads to their empowerment."^[3]Five years later, she was awarded the Order of Canada in recognition for her volunteer work assisting women and Jews.^[4][1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Dorothy Reitman, (biography), Jewish Women's Archive
2. ^ ^{a b} "Canadian Jewish Congress elects first woman president", Globe and Mail, May 12, 1986
3. ^ 1992 Recipeints, Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case, Status of Women Canada website
4. ^ Dorothy Reitman, C.M., The Governor General of Canada (website)

Preceded by Milton E. Harris

President of the Canadian Jewish Congress 1986-1989

Succeeded by Les Scheininger