Michael Mostyn, B’nai Brith Canada’s CEO since 2014, passed away on Feb. 4 after a yearlong battle with cancer. He was 50 years old.
A statement from the charitable and advocacy organization said that Mostyn was “a dynamic leader, a passionate advocate, and, above all, a gentleman.”
“His vision and leadership revitalized B’nai Brith Canada, transforming it into a formidable voice for Canada’s Jewish community,” the nonprofit said. “Michael’s advocacy in the courts and all levels of government uplifted the rights not only of Jewish Canadians but all marginalized communities.”
The organization said that he earned accolades such as the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and that “his distinguished legacy remains above all in the countless lives he touched and the world he helped make more just and compassionate.”
B’nai Brith Canada—an affiliate of B’nai B’rith International that functions independently—touts its Israel advocacy, and “wide-ranging educational and social programming, community and volunteer services, and human-rights initiatives,” according to its website. Also under its umbrella is the League for Human Rights, B’nai Brith Sports and Community Engagement Programming.
It also issues an annual research paper that audits antisemitism and antisemitic incidents across Canada. In July 2023, Mostyn keynoted the organization’s Action Now conference. The organization also took legal action against McGill and its student clubs for promoting anti-Israel referendums.
It also called attention to various controversial speakers in Canada, including ones that have coordinated “hate rallies.”
B’nai Brith Canada’s advocacy in 2024 successfully led to the removal from a Canadian cemetery of a monument honoring Ukrainians who fought for the Nazis during World War II.
According to the organization’s website, before joining B’nai Brith, Mostyn worked as a barrister and solicitor; had served as chief strategic officer in the high-tech startup sector; and previously served as B’nai Brith’s national director of public affairs.

In February 2024, the Toronto Sun featured an article announcing Mostyn’s battle with cancer.
That month, a B’nai Brith newsletter explained that he had made a trip to the hospital after feeling ill when medical staff discovered he had COVID-19. Further tests revealed that he had cancer. Since that time, Judy Foldes, who has served as chief operating officer for nearly a decade, also was the intern director.
Daniel Koren, a one-time employee of B’nai Brith who now heads Allied Voices for Israel, said in his organization’s e-bulletin on Feb. 4 that he met Mostyn in 2016. “He radiated with this immense and unmistakable energy—for B’nai Brith, the Jewish community, human rights and Canada,” Koren said in the statement.
“Over the next four years, I saw Michael’s vision come to life. I saw the respect he received and the attention he demanded. I experienced firsthand his zest for meaningful advocacy and for a better Canada. It had an incredible impact on me.”
“Today, when I think about creating an organization based on allyship, I can tell you without hesitation that it was Michael Mostyn who gave me the idea,” he added.
‘A better place because of his unrelenting advocacy’
Longtime friend Joseph Aminian told JNS that Mostyn was “not only a dedicated community leader but a kind-hearted, spiritual man—an active advocate for the Jewish community and a champion of holistic health, well-being and dignity for all.”
“He stood firmly in support of Israel and the integrity of the Jewish state,” Aminian said. “More importantly, he was a dear friend whom I had the privilege of knowing.”
Esther Mordechai, a full-time Toronto restaurateur and friend of Mostyn’s, told JNS that “he made an impact not only on me on an individual basis. He wasn’t only my mentor. He made an impact on the world—the compassion, his fierce advocacy for our community. Nobody can replace him, nobody. We have huge shoes to fill, and I don’t think anybody can replace him.”
In recent weeks, federal parliamentarian Melissa Lantsman presented Mostyn with the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his “service and dedication to Canada.” She said on Facebook that “Canada is a better place because of his unrelenting advocacy and for the work that he has done.”
Activist Salman Sima characterized Mostyn in a social-media post as “a passionate fighter and great ally.”
Since 2018, they had worked together to lobby the government to list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terror entity. The government did so in June 2024.
Mostyn ran in several political campaigns as a Conservative candidate, though he was unsuccessful in securing election: the 2004 federal election against Liberal incumbent Ken Dryden, a former NHL player and cabinet minister; the 2006 federal election also against Dryden; and the 2011 Ontario provincial election.
Mostyn is survived by his wife, Ella, and their children, Benjy and Bella. He is also survived by his parents, Sheila and Alan Mostyn; and two siblings.