The Board of Directors of Congregation Shaarey Zedek is pleased to announce that Ran Ukashi PhD will be joining our organization as our new Executive Director beginning Monday, July 12.

Ran comes to us with an impressive professional background within non-profit organizations in the Jewish and broader community, as well as in government. His expertise includes non-profit organization management, philanthropy, communications and public relations, and stakeholder, community, and organization relations. His most current tenure was with B’nai Brith Canada as National Director of the League for Human Rights where he worked with private citizens, organizations, and government to advocate against Antisemitism. He has also served as a Policy Analyst for various departments within the Government of Manitoba and has also worked for the Manitoba Métis Federation.

Ran Ukashi holds a Master’s Degree in Political Studies, as well as a PHD in Peace and Conflict Studies, from the University of Manitoba.

Ran is no stranger to the Winnipeg Jewish Community and has been an active community member since childhood. He has a lifelong knowledge of Jewish Practice, Ritual, and Customs, and is fluent in Hebrew. In recent years he married his wife, Melanie Baruch, at the shul.

Shaarey Zedek President Gary Hyman shared that “The person that we were looking for as the new ED was to be a forward thinking person. This falls in line with the direction that the synagogue is striving for. Ran has shown us that he is that kind of person. His references expressed the same and that he is the ‘real deal’. We are excited to have him onboard.”

“After an extensive search and interview process, we were pleased to identify Ran for the Executive Director position” said Anita Neville, chair of the Search Committee. “Ran was impressive and thoughtful. His education and professional work are well suited for Congregation Shaarey Zedek.”

Join us in welcoming Ran to the Shaarey Zedek community!