Board of Directors

Dr. Jonathan Afilalo (Herzliah Class of 1997) is a cardiologist at the Jewish General Hospital and the founding director of the Geriatric Cardiology Training Program at McGill University. After completing his fellowship in advanced cardiovascular imaging at Harvard University, Jonathan established a cutting-edge clinical research laboratory specializing in artificial intelligence. His innovative work focuses on developing technologies to improve care for older adults with heart disease.

Beyond his medical and research achievements, Jonathan has a creative side. He is an avid basketball player and a DJ, blending his passions for sports and music. A dedicated Herzliah alumnus, Jonathan was named Coach of the Year in 2001 for his impactful leadership of the Herzliah basketball team.

Jonathan and his wife Alexia are the proud parents of four children: Nathaniel (15) and Olivia (13), both current students at Herzliah, along with Zoë (8) and Sasha (3). Their family’s deep connection to Herzliah continues to inspire Jonathan’s commitment to the school and its community.

Paul Amsellem is the proud father of three children: one currently in Secondary 3 at Herzliah, a graduate of the school, and another who will begin high school in a year. His connection to the school community and his dedication to education make him a valuable member of the Board of Directors.

Paul has extensive experience serving on boards, including MMA, IAB, and currently Technion’s Board of Directors. He is passionate about instilling principles and values in future generations, drawing on his unique perspective shaped by living in France and Israel.

As an entrepreneur, Paul has successfully led numerous teams and navigated complex crisis situations. His vision, shaped by his global experiences and leadership roles, brings a dynamic and thoughtful approach to the Board. Paul is excited to contribute his expertise and passion to support Herzliah’s mission and future growth.

Saguy Barchichat is a father of three children; one is currently attending UTT elementary (grade 2) and the two younger ones will eventually join the UTT family. Saguy has extensive board experience; he served on the Boards of Centre Hillel and Hillel House for many years as well as numerous committees at the CSUQ and the Federation.

He is an immigration lawyer. He lived in Israel for 4 years after completing his law degree and held the position of Program Manager for a new project run jointly between Birthright Israel and the Center for Leadership Initiatives called ROI 120. This program gathered young Jewish leaders from around the world for conferences in Israel to tackle major issues facing the Jewish World.

He also served as a consultant for the Montreal-Beer Sheva Partnership with the task of training the Beer Sheva youth delegations prior to their missions to Montreal. These roles and experiences coupled with his legal expertise will be very valuable for the board; Saguy will bring a different perspective.

Fanny Caron is a proud parent of both Talmud Torah and Herzliah, with children in Grade 4 and Grade 10, as well as an alum currently completing their studies at Marianopolis College. With an extensive background in marketing, Fanny has been serving as Senior Marketing Advisor at Desjardins since 2019. Previously, she held the role of Marketing Director at Banque Nationale, where she played a pivotal role in the bank’s strategic decision to invest in the CSUQ.

Fanny is eager to join the board, leveraging her marketing expertise to highlight the schools’ unique values and position them distinctly within the Jewish educational landscape. Her goal is to develop a compelling and differentiated offer that resonates with our target families and strengthens our community’s connection to the schools.

Danielle Dichter, along with her husband Gilad, is the proud parent of three children—Rafaella, Nessa, and Shaya—all enrolled at Talmud Torah.

A General Contractor by profession, Danielle brings a wealth of experience in construction and interior renovations. She works with her family’s construction company, which specializes in high-end residential projects and real estate development. Her expertise in project management and creative problem-solving adds valuable skills to the Board.

Danielle is deeply committed to the community and views her role on the Board as a meaningful opportunity to give back to the school that holds a special place in her heart. She is excited to contribute her energy, expertise, and passion to support Talmud Torah’s continued growth and success.

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Elisa Gross is deeply committed to giving back to the Montreal Jewish community where she was raised. After studying at UBC in Vancouver, Elisa moved to Los Angeles, where she ran a successful catering business serving Hollywood’s elite. Ultimately, her love for family brought her back to Montreal, where she immersed herself in community service.

Elisa currently serves as Program and Volunteer Coordinator for MADA Community Center’s Shabbat to Share program and has been working with the Hebrew Free Loan Association since July 2022. Her extensive experience in Jewish non-profit organizations has instilled a strong understanding of the importance of collective goals in fostering a vibrant and evolving Jewish community.

The Gross family has long been dedicated to advancing Jewish education and community initiatives. Elisa shares this passion, striving to support and strengthen Jewish education to nurture bright minds and preserve traditions, community, and identity.

As Special Advisor to the President, Elisa will focus on addressing the diverse needs of our school. She views this role as an opportunity to contribute to decision-making, problem-solving, and shaping the future of Jewish education and socialization for the next generation. Elisa’s enthusiasm and vision make her a tremendous asset to our leadership team. In her words, "Jewish education is essential to preserving traditions, community, and Jewish identity."

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Audrey Hadida Wald is the Vice-President of Finance and Administration at the Jewish General Hospital Foundation, bringing over 20 years of experience in both the private and non-profit sectors. She began her career in Audit & Assurance at PSP Boisjoli before transitioning to the non-profit world in 2013, where she served as Senior Advisor for Planning and Allocation and Director of Finance at Federation CJA. In her current role, Audrey applies her expertise to strengthen the financial stewardship of the Jewish General Hospital Foundation.

A dedicated community volunteer, Audrey has contributed her time and skills to numerous organizations, showcasing her unwavering commitment to giving back.

Audrey and her husband, Danny, are proud parents of a son currently in Secondary 1 at Herzliah. Her professional experience and passion for community engagement make Audrey a valuable addition to the Board.

Mathieu Licari, born and raised in Montreal, is proud of his rich heritage, blending Sephardic and Italian cultures.

As an entrepreneur with diverse experience in retail, design, real estate, and construction, Mathieu founded Madev Construction over 15 years ago. His company specializes in large-scale commercial, industrial, institutional, and medical renovations, earning a reputation for excellence and expertise in the industry.

Mathieu and his wife, Laura, are the proud parents of three children—Emma, Joseph, and Lea—who are all part of the Talmud Torah | Herzliah family. Mathieu’s entrepreneurial background and commitment to the community bring a fresh and dynamic perspective to the Board.

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Jason Martin is a lawyer and a member of the Barreau du Québec since 2012. He has been actively involved in the real estate industry from the beginning of his career, founding Ziemia Capital in 2017. This Montreal-based real estate investment and development firm specializes in multi-residential properties.

A strong advocate for community engagement, Jason views volunteerism as a core part of his identity. He has held numerous leadership roles with local charitable organizations and recently completed his term as Chair of the GenMTL Philanthropy Campaign for Federation CJA. In 2024, he was appointed the first President of GenMTL.

Jason and his wife, Sabrina, are the proud parents of two young children currently enrolled at Talmud Torah. Jason’s professional expertise, combined with his dedication to community service, make him a valuable addition to the Board.

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Stephane Perez, a proud alumnus of Talmud Torah ('90) and Herzliah ('95), was born and raised in Montreal. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Math and Computer Science from McGill University.

With over two decades of experience as a technology leader and entrepreneur, Stephane has developed a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the impact evolving technology can have on both daily life and children's education. His expertise positions him to contribute valuable insights into the intersection of technology and learning.

Stephane and his wife, Lindsay, are the proud parents of two boys currently enrolled at Talmud Torah and Herzliah, with a third son set to join the school in a year. Stephane’s background in technology and his commitment to education make him a valuable asset to the Board.

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Didier Serero is a proud Herzliah alumnus who later attended Marianopolis College in Health Sciences before being accepted into the Pre-Med program at McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine. He is currently a full-time ER physician at the Jewish General Hospital’s Emergency Department, where he is dedicated to providing compassionate and exceptional care to all of his patients.

Outside of his medical career, Didier was an elite athlete, excelling in both soccer and hockey. His commitment to sports taught him the value of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork. As captain of the U-18 AAA Laval soccer team, Didier led the team to a provincial championship and represented Quebec at the national level in 1990. Despite receiving an invitation to try out for a professional soccer team in Italy, Didier chose to pursue his studies at McGill University, where he became a starter for the McGill Redmen soccer team and earned the Academic All-Canadian award during his medical school years (1993-1997).

Didier and his wife, Stacey—also a Herzliah alumnus and lawyer—have three children: two currently enrolled at Herzliah and one recent graduate. Didier’s leadership, commitment to excellence, and passion for community make him a valuable addition to the Board.

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Dr. Axel Tosikyan was born in Istanbul and immigrated to Canada with his family in 1981 at the age of six. He completed his secondary education in the French system at Collège Notre-Dame, followed by John Abbott College, before pursuing medical studies at McGill University, specializing in hematology and medical oncology. In 2004, Dr. Tosikyan earned a Master’s degree in Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Since 2006, Dr. Tosikyan has been practicing at the Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, where he serves as a clinician, associate professor, and principal investigator for several oncology research protocols. He is a member of both the pharmacology and clinical research committees at the hospital and actively contributes to the education of his peers by organizing scientific meetings.

Outside of his professional accomplishments, Dr. Tosikyan is a proud father to Sasha, a sixth-grade student at Talmud Torah, and Leah, a secondary 2 student at Herzliah. His extensive expertise in healthcare, research, and education adds a unique and valuable perspective to the Board.

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