Randi Sherman fondly looks at her husband Ian as he is introduced at the Ottawa Negev Gala, Infinity Conference Centre on Oct. 30, 2025. Photos by Peter Waiser for OBJ.
Ottawa’s 2025 Negev Gala gathered hundreds of Jewish and community leaders on Oct. 30 for an event that paid tribute to honouree Ian Sherman, a longtime partner at EY and devoted volunteer. The sold-out affair at the Infinity Conference Centre raised $1.1 million for the rebuilding of kibbutz Holit. This year’s Negev Gala was organized by volunteers Sharon Appotive, Ron Prehogan, Aaron Smith and Salem MacDonald.
Speaking to the crowd, Sherman said his “range of emotions was endless,” calling the Negev recognition “one of the greatest honours” of his life. Invoking the memory of his late uncle Sol Shinder, Sherman said he built his life on four pillars: family, faith, community and Israel. He called on community leaders to join as allies to fight the “painful and shocking escalation in anti-Semitism.”
The gala concluded by announcing its 2026 honouree, Peter Nicholson of WCPD Inc.
Norman Viner (InocuJect Corp.), Aaron Smith (EY Canada), Salem MacDonald (Sage Urban Developments) at the Ottawa Negev Gala, Infinity Conference Centre on Oct. 30, 2025. Photo by Peter Waiser for OBJ.Ron Prehogan (Brazeau Seller LLP), Fred Seller (Brazeau Seller LLP) and John Ouellette (University of Ottawa) at the Ottawa Negev Gala, Infinity Conference Centre on Oct. 30, 2025. Photo by Peter Waiser for OBJ.Rabbi Idan Scher at the Ottawa Negev Gala, Infinity Conference Centre on Oct. 30, 2025. Photo by Peter Waiser for OBJ.Sharon Appotive (Howard Fine Jewellers) at the Ottawa Negev Gala, Infinity Conference Centre on Oct. 30, 2025. Photo by Peter Waiser for OBJ.Ian Sherman, honouree, speaks at the Ottawa Negev Gala, Infinity Conference Centre on Oct. 30, 2025. Photo by Peter Waiser for OBJ.The gala guest speaker was Erin Molan, an Australian television and radio personality, who made headlines for her public support for Israel following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks. Molan said her stance was an act of “moral courage” in a media landscape that failed to call out hate speech. Molan spoke at the Ottawa Negev Gala, Infinity Conference Centre on Oct. 30, 2025. Photo by Peter Waiser for OBJ.Adam Sherman (Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP), Felicia Sherman (KPMG), Erin Molan (guest speaker), Randi Sherman, Ian Sherman, Jonathan Sherman (Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP) and Matthew Sherman (Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP) at the Ottawa Negev Gala, Infinity Conference Centre on Oct. 30, 2025. Photo by Peter Waiser for OBJ.Ian Sherman, honouree, and Jack Silverstein (JNF Canada) at the Ottawa Negev Gala, Infinity Conference Centre on Oct. 30, 2025. Photo by Peter Waiser for OBJ.Gala guest speaker Erin Molan gathered with young attendees at the Ottawa Negev Gala, Infinity Conference Centre on Oct. 30, 2025. Photo by Peter Waiser for OBJ.
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