THE BIG QUESTIONS

Avrum Nadigel is a marriage and family therapist and author of three books. He holds a Masters of Social Work from McGill University, a Bachelors of Commerce from Concordia University, and post-graduate training in Bowen Family Systems Theory from the Western Pennsylvania Family Center. Avrum is also a songwriter and musician. He co-composed the soundtrack for Exiles from Lotusland - an award winning NFB documentary.

Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg was born in Montreal and grew up in Vancouver. He started off on a science path at the University of British Columbia before discovering his passion for everything Jewish. Before going to Rabbinical School, Daniel worked with university students at Hillel of San Diego. As a rabbinic student, Rabbi Mikelberg served congregations in Southern California and Kelowna, BC. He completed his studies at Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles and was ordained in May 2008. After his ordination, Rabbi Mikelberg had the unique opportunity to return to the synagogue in Vancouver in which he grew up, Temple Sholom, as assistant rabbi. Rabbi Mikelberg has been with Temple Sinai since July 2011.

Rabbi Mikelberg is passionate about community building, pastoral care, adult education and spirituality. In Los Angeles, he had the opportunity to work as a community organizer doing interfaith work and advocating for tikkun olam. Rabbi Mikelberg is excited about working with the young adult community of Temple Sinai, strengthening the “Next Generation.” Rabbi Mikelberg spent two years living in Jerusalem and is an ardent voice for Israel. Rabbi Mikelberg has volunteered on work projects in El Salvador, Cuba, and Ghana. Outside the synagogue, he loves scrabble, anything to do with Mac computers and skiing. Rabbi Mikelberg is married to Zachary Paul, a high school teacher at TanenbaumCHAT. They are proud parents to Jacob.

One of the twin brothers behind the creation and success of Magen Boys Entertainment (MBE), a fully-integrated national entertainment group with over 100 staff, a first-class inventory of technical, media and staging equipment, with an 10,000 square foot office and warehouse space, multiple event spaces, and a film production division. For 19 years, MBE has managed and executed more than 20,000 events from gala fundraisers and Hollywood film launches to big-ticket concerts and over the top Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and weddings. In 2016 Jian and Page created a film production company. Together the brothers have produced two feature films and have a number of film/TV projects in development. As well, their entrepreneurial spirit has enabled them to be a part of countless startup companies. Both Jian and Page donate a considerable amount of their time, resources and entertainment services to many charities across the country.