Dorothy Reitman

Who is Dorothy Reitman?

Dorothy Reitman, CM served as first female president of the Canadian Jewish Congress from 1986 to 1989.

Reitman's parents emigrated from Odessa in her infancy. She was educated at McGill University and, in 1952, married Cyril Reitman of the Reitmans retailing family.

In 1958, her infant son, Joel, was kidnapped by his nanny, who was later sentenced to seven years in prison.

She was a founding member of the Match International Centre, the Portage Program for Drug Dependency, the Council of Canadian Unity, and the Auberge Shalom for Battered Women. She also helped establish Kosher Meals on Wheels in Montreal.

Among the chairmanships she has held are the honorary chair of the McGill University Centre for Research and Teaching for Women, co-chair of the Canadian Conference of Christians and Jews, chair of the Commonwealth Jewish Foundation of Canada, vice-president of the Commonwealth Jewish Council, and trustee of the Commonwealth Jewish Trust. She also served as president of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada from 1975–1977.

Reitman defeated Moshe Ronen, who would later win the position, for the CJC presidency in 1986.