OUR MISSION
Established in 1986, the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem’s (CSYV) mission is to disseminate the universal lessons of the Holocaust across Canada through commemorative and educational activities.
Welcoming Arlin Markowitz as National Chair, CSYV
The Canadian Society for Yad Vashem (CSYV) is very pleased to announce the appointment of Arlin Markowitz as the new National Chair of the Board of Directors. Arlin succeeded Shael Rosenbaum as Chair as of January 1, 2026.
During very unique, and quite honestly, difficult times, we are proud of the direction and success under Shael Rosenbaum’s tenure as National Chair of the Board over the last three years. Shael is a prominent leader in the Toronto community where his history of involvement in philanthropy and volunteering, in particular with Holocaust related organizations, has benefitted our entire city, province and country. Shael’s dedication, vision and leadership have steered the organization towards increased awareness across the country and financial and organizational stability during a difficult period in the history of Canada’s Jewish community. We thank Shael for his commitment to Holocaust education and remembrance and are very grateful to have Shael remain involved on our Board as Immediate Past Chair and wish him well as Co-Chair of the Israel & Overseas Committee for UJA of Greater Toronto and as the Chair of the UJA Advisory Council.
Arlin Markowitz is the Executive Vice President and founder of CBRE Commercial Real Estate’s Urban Retail Team in Toronto and has worked in the real estate brokerage industry for 18 years. Arlin graduated from Concordia University in Montreal with a degree in Judaic Studies and spent a year and a half studying at Tel Aviv University’s Overseas Student Program, strengthening his lifelong connection to Israel. In 2025 Arlin joined the Israeli Economic Forum which convenes the foremost global business leaders and influencers to advance Israels economic interests. He and his wife, Shawna, are the proud parents of three children: Erez, Sadie, and Yael.
He previously served as a Board Member and the Vice Chair of the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem. A grandchild of Holocaust survivors, Arlin has long been deeply connected to Jewish community life and to the work of Holocaust remembrance. From a young age, the history of the Shoah has shaped Arlin’s sense of purpose. With dozens of his relatives murdered across Eastern Europe, their memory drives his commitment to Holocaust education, Jewish continuity, and steadfast support for Israel. He believes that the Jewish people rose from the ashes of destruction, and that the rebirth of the State of Israel is a profound testament to resilience, faith, and renewal. Their legacy guides him daily in his service to Am Yisrael.
The Canadian Society for Yad Vashem is thrilled to have Arlin begin his term as National Chair of the Board and we look forward to his leadership, insight, and expertise to guide us ahead.
Revitalization of the
Valley of the Communities
The Valley of the Communities at Yad Vashem is a massive 2.5 acre monument literally dug out of natural bedrock. Over 5000 names of communities are engraved on its 107 stone walls which roughly corresponds to the geographic arrangement of the map of Europe and North Africa. Each name recalls a Jewish community which existed for hundreds of years; for the inhabitants, each community constituted an entire world.
Today, in most cases, nothing remains but the name.
"This memorial commemorates the Jewish communities destroyed by Nazi Germany and its collaborators, and the few which suffered but survived in the shadow of the Holocaust. For more than one thousand years, Jews lived in Europe, organizing communities to preserve their distinct identity. In periods of relative tranquility, Jewish culture flourished, but in periods of unrest, Jews were forced to flee. Wherever they settled, they endowed the people amongst whom they lived with their talents. Here their stories will be told.."
Yad Vashem has unveiled its plan to make The Valley of the Communities more easily accessible and appropriate for all visitors including families with young children. Whereas the Museum is only intended for children over the age of 10, The Valley of the Communities which focusses on Jewish life between the two World Wars will be appropriate for all. In addition to infrastructure updates, there will be two main elements to the revitalization: an evening based interactive video and sound program shown on the walls of the Valley, and an educational centre appropriate for all ages, which will be available daily during the times that the main Holocaust Museum remains open.
