Shalom Life is proud to present our 2nd annual ”Top 20 under 40” list. This list encompasses 20 individuals of diverse occupations and backgrounds from businessmen and businesswomen and innovative entrepreneurs, to philanthropists, entertainers, doctors and more, the list places a spotlight on the myriad of talented, creative and passionate Jews, all under 40, who call Canada home.

Top 20 under 40 – Elana Waldman

Age: 38

There are those who talk the talk, others who walk the walk. Toronto’s Elana Waldman personifies the latter with her unique combination of strength, courage, compassion and inspiration.

Waldman, a 38-year-old native of Montreal, continues to show the leadership and commitment to her community – through volunteerism and generous philanthropy – that is a vital part of what makes Jewish Toronto one of the Diaspora’s most envied, and often emulated Jewish communities.

And, Waldman continues to make a difference in the lives of so many while she continues to stage a Herculean fight against ovarian cancer.

Married to Mark in 2002, and the mother of eight-year-old Sydney, Waldman, who earned her BA at McGill in Political Science and Law degree from Osgoode, practiced family law at McCarthy Tetrault until Feb 2007 when she was forced to take leave to undergo her first round of cancer treatment.

During her working days, Waldman became involved with the one Family Fund – an organization that provides direct financial, legal, and emotional assistance to victims of terrorism in Israel. she was the organization’s president for four years.

Along with volunteering her valuable time, Waldman continues to support a number of organizations financially as well.

Since her diagnosis, Waldman has used her unique skill set and uncommon commitment to helping others.

“While I was going through my first line of treatment I decided that I wanted to do something that would bring more awareness to the issue of ovarian cancer within the community at large. I reasoned that if someone who was relatively well informed about cancer and the BRCA mutations was so lacking in knowledge, most people probably knew even less.”

Shortly after that realization, Waldman, true to form, turned her words into actions after reading an article about an event that takes place in the Hamptons. Waldman decided to create a similar event in Toronto to benefit ovarian cancer research at Toronto’s Princess Margaret Hospital. and, with that, aWEARness was born.

“The first year of aWEARness was 2008,” says Waldman. “It was a huge success and I really believed that I had reached a large number of people who would otherwise not know about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. we also raised over $200,000 for research that year. we put the event on two more times. Unfortunately, with the turn in the economy and the continued health issues that I have, I had to make the decision not to do the event any longer.”

Not one to rest on her laurels, Waldman also became involved with an initiative called “It’s Time to Shout”.

“Ovarian cancer is called the cancer that whispers and this is a campaign of empowerment for those whose lives have been touched by the disease, either directly or indirectly,” she explains. “The website, itstimetoshout.com is the brainchild of Leigh Himel, one of Mark’s high school friends. Essentially, it is a website where people can upload their stories so that we have a critical mass of people raising their voices. the goal is to raise awareness and money for research into an early detection tool.”

In addition to the website, Waldman has a video blog on chatelaine.com, also called Time to Shout.

“I post every week or so about my journey with cancer. My aim is to educate about ovarian cancer but also to show that you can live with cancer. while it is challenging, there are still many wonderful things to enjoy in life and cancer doesn’t have to take those away.”

An inspiration to all who know her – and countless others who have never met her – Waldman maintains a happy, positive outlook on life.

“I have generally always been a fairly happy person. My disposition is just naturally optimistic and while at times that optimism has been tested, it has helped me focus on the light at the end of the tunnel when things get hard. People tell me that I am very strong. I don’t believe that. I am a mother. I do what I have to do to be here for my family. I do what I can to enjoy the time I have. whether I die from cancer, get hit by a bus or live a long life – no one knows. I can choose to worry about that or I can choose to make the most of whatever the time is that I have. I choose the latter.”

Shalom Life is currently searching for the best and brightest Jews under 40 in new York who have gained recognition in business, entertainment, philanthropy, technology and more. please send suggestions to

For some time, Melodie Henderson-Magouirk knew the day would come that she would lose a part of herself forever. When that day came, she never thought twice.

She donated one of her kidneys to her best friend Jennifer Jacobson, whom she met when the two were undergrads at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1994.

“We were both theater majors in a small department, and we did several shows together, becoming best friends in the process,” Melodie said. “When we graduated with our BA in acting/directing in 1997, we didn’t know what to do next. We decided to both apply to one graduate school, and decided if we didn’t both get in, we wouldn’t go anywhere. Cal State Fullerton accepted both of us, and we packed what we could fit in our cars, and I followed Jennifer all the way out here. She’s always been the leader – I have a terrible sense of direction.” ’3 ON THE EDGE’

What: Chino Community Theatre’s Weekender Seriesfeaturing three cutting-edge plays:

Parallel Lives. All-female sketch comedy. Some adult language.

When: Saturday and June 17

At Home at the Zoo. two strangers cross paths and meet their cruel fate on a bench in Central Park. Recommended for mature audiences only; contains explicit sexual dialogue and content.

When: June 12 and 18

Closer. the struggle between a quartet of strangers to find intimacy in 1990s London. Recommended for mature audiences, due to explicit sexual dialogue and content.

When: Today and June 16 and 19.

Where: Seventh Street Theatre, 13123 Seventh St., Chino

Cost: $15 adults, $12 students and seniors age 55 and older

Information: 909-590-1149, chinocommunitytheatre.org in 2002, following the birth of her daughter Madilynn, Jennifer was diagnosed with Familial Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, FSGS, a disorder in the blood-filtering parts of the kidney.

“It is a scary thought,” said Jennifer, thinking back to when she first heard she would eventually need a transplant. “I was so sick at the time that I would be grateful to anything that would make me feel better. I tried everything before a transplant. I did chemotherapy for years, plasma exchange through a central port in my neck, etc. in five years my kidneys were just gone but I kept on. I still worked and went on with my life because I wasn’t going to let it define me.”

On April 10, 2008, Jennifer received a new kidney donated by her best friend.

Now, three years later, in a twist of irony worthy of the theater, Melodie’s kidneys will appear together on the same stage as both women perform roles in Chino Community Theatre’s “Parallel Lives,” part of the group’s “3 on the Edge” Weekender Series at Chino’s Seventh Street Theatre through June 17.

“Theater was what brought us together, but we haven’t been on stage together in about 10 years,” Jennifer said.

“Parallel Lives” is a sketch comedy. a cast of five women plays 18 parts in several vignettes about women’s issues. Other cast members include Chino residents Gracie Arvizu, Cindi B. East and Michelle Knight Rhinehardt.

When the need for transplant surgery became apparent, it turned out that Melodie was more than a best friend to Jennifer. she also was a perfect match, as far as being a donor.

“I told her I would give her a kidney when the time came,” Melodie said. “I just knew I would be a match.”

In 2006, Jennifer’s symptoms increased as her energy level faltered.

“She was tired all the time, had bad headaches frequently, and just didn’t feel good,” Melodie said.

When Jennifer’s kidney function dropped below 20 percent, the doctors said it was time for the transplant.

Melodie was the first one tested. Doctors mixed hers and Jennifer’s blood together for an idea of tissue compatibility.

“Ours were so closely matched, they said we could have been sisters,” Melodie said.

Melodie spent the next five months going through medical testing and psychological evaluation.

“If I failed one of the tests, they wouldn’t accept me as a donor,” she said. “That was tough for both of us, and our families. my husband and I had three children at the time, Julianna, who was 9, and Tate and Tucker, who were 4. Finally, I got the green light. a couple of weeks later, we met with our surgery teams and they told us they would call when they had a date for us.”

Surgery was set for April 10, 2008.

The transplant was an immediate success, and both recovered quickly. Jennifer’s anti-rejection medications quickly were reduced because of the closeness of the match.

“I will always feel grateful and believe that I have never done enough to pay it back. You just can’t pay back the gift of life,” Jennifer said. “I felt guilty that someone I loved so much had to do something like that for me. I still feel guilty. I knew there were things she wanted to do with her life, like have another baby, and I didn’t want to be the cause of her not fulfilling her dreams. it is such a huge gift that it takes you on a roller coaster. Grateful and guilty, that is what you feel. I swore that I would live my life to the fullest and do my best everyday. it gives me motivation to be as healthy as I can.”

Jennifer needn’t have worried about Melodie not fulfilling her dream of another child. Though possibly waiting a little longer then planned, last fall the Henderson-Magouirks welcomed daughter Aislan.

All’s well with the Jacobson family, too. “I can get up everyday and live my life,” Jennifer said. “I get to play with my husband and daughter. I can spend wonderful moments with my family and my friends and not have to worry about being so sick. it is a new chance of life; the most precious gift ever. it is like a redo. the best redo ever. Melodie and I have been best friends for 17 years. We have both changed and our focuses are different, but inside we are the same two kids that wore cut-off shorts under our college graduation gowns. I love her not because she gave me a kidney but because she is my sister. We have lived more at the age of 30-something than most people ever get to live. the giving of the kidney was just a stop in our journey. a great stop.”

diana.sholley@inlandnewspapers.com, 909-483-9381

I am experiencing to problem,a BM 3 times a day,not
normal for me,could it be my Gall Bladder?I am feeling weak from it all.Feel like my electrolytes are gone.can anyone professional give me advice.Could it be Epstein Bar Syndrone?

I am an RN and have to say noone on here is qualified to give you a diagnosis. Neither of these diagnosis have a relationship to the symptom of 3 stools a day. it could simply ba a change in your diet, medication, fluid intake. If it continues you will need to see your Dr. for a correct diagnosis and treatment.

with gall bladder problems you are more likely to be constipated than going frequently, and you will be bloated and very uncomfortable with that bloat.
what you describe sounds more like simple gastroenteritis.
your gut needs a chance to calm down, so, don't eat or drink for 8 hours, then take only clear liquids for another 24 hours, then start with soft foods, make sure one of them is yogurt.
If that doesn't clear up your difficulties, it is time to seek a doctor's opinion

see your doctor for a diagnosis it could be anything
gall bladder attacks cause persistent pain in the area of the rib cage below the right breast

What foods­ are­ m­ajor firs­t an­d / or we­b­s­ite­s­ to us­e­ for a child alle­rg­ic to m­ilk­?

My­ age o­­f­ six mo­­nt­h­s t­o sl­ow­l­y­ in­ fo­o­d, but a­l­s­o­ ha­s­ a­ mil­k a­l­l­e­rg­y a­n­d I w­a­s­ l­o­o­kin­g­ fo­r fo­o­d fo­r fa­mil­ie­s­ a­n­d bra­n­ds­ o­f ba­by fo­o­d a­n­d s­n­a­cks­ tha­t w­o­ul­d be­ g­re­a­t fo­r it. A­n­ythin­g­ fre­e­ mil­k w­o­ul­d be­ g­re­a­t.

H­e­llo­, m­y ch­ildre­n are­ alle­rgic t­o­ dairy p­ro­duct­s, like­ m­e­ (b­ut­ did no­t­ kno­w unt­il wh­at­ m­y so­n gav­e­ p­o­sit­iv­e­ t­o­ m­any fo­o­ds). We­'re­ o­ut­ o­f t­h­e­ t­o­p­ 8 alle­rge­ns (and o­t­h­e­r t­h­ings). Ge­rb­e­r h­as a lo­ng line­ o­f fo­o­d co­nt­aine­rs (E­g, v­e­ge­t­ab­le­s and fruit­) v­e­ry we­ll, b­ut­ o­f co­urse­, t­h­e­ fo­o­ds m­o­st­ se­co­nd and e­v­e­n m­ilk and o­t­h­e­r t­h­ings t­h­at­ m­y ch­ildre­n can no­t­ no­t­ h­av­e­. If yo­u h­av­e­ a nat­ural h­e­alt­h­ fo­o­d st­o­re­ (ie­ Wh­o­le­ Fo­o­ds) ne­ar yo­u, t­h­e­re­ are­ diffe­re­nt­ o­p­t­io­ns and addit­io­nal b­ab­y fo­o­d, t­h­at­ o­rganic m­at­t­e­r fro­z­e­n … b­ut­ I t­h­ink t­h­e­ m­ain t­h­ing is t­o­ use­ e­quip­m­e­nt­ t­h­at­ is safe­ and Ge­rb­e­r sup­p­le­m­e­nt­ wit­h­ fre­sh­ fo­o­ds e­v­e­ry wh­e­ne­v­e­r p­o­ssib­le­. M­y daugh­t­e­r is 14 m­o­nt­h­s o­ld and e­at­ing t­h­ings like­ fre­sh­ b­ro­cco­li, saut­e­e­d o­r st­e­am­e­d (yo­u can m­icro­wav­e­ wit­h­ a lit­t­le­ se­a salt­ and ch­icke­n b­ro­t­h­ safe­ fo­r 4 m­inut­e­s, o­r le­t­ co­o­l and co­o­k we­ll). B­ro­cco­li is o­ne­ o­f t­h­e­ b­e­st­ v­e­ge­t­ab­le­s and difficult­ t­o­ ach­ie­v­e­ wit­h­ t­h­e­ righ­t­ t­ast­e­ and t­e­xt­ure­ fro­z­e­n fo­o­ds in j­ars. Safe­ snacks – fo­r a 6M­B­, it­ is ne­ce­ssary t­o­ driv­e­ t­h­e­ so­lids, h­o­we­v­e­r, so­ if int­e­re­st­e­d, yo­u can t­ry t­h­ings like­ p­ast­a o­r sup­e­r rip­e­ fruit­, grains disso­lv­e­ in t­h­e­ m­o­ut­h­ .. m­ixe­d v­e­ge­t­ab­le­ so­up­ … do­ no­t­ kno­w wh­at­ yo­u're­ lo­o­king. first­ fo­o­ds are­ usually fo­o­ds t­h­at­ o­ne­-o­n-a-t­im­e­, ie­, gre­e­n b­e­ans, squash­, carro­t­s, p­e­ars, m­ash­e­d Ap­p­le­ .. Re­m­e­m­b­e­r no­t­ int­ro­duce­ slo­wly – A ne­w fo­o­d .. I t­h­ink it­'s at­ le­ast­ 3-5 days, p­re­fe­rab­ly o­ne­ we­e­k if yo­u're­ wo­rrie­d ab­o­ut­ o­t­h­e­r alle­rgie­s. Go­o­d lucky! If yo­u are­ int­e­re­st­e­d in a sup­p­o­rt­ re­so­urce­, t­ry kidswit­h­fo­o­dalle­rgie­s.o­rg – T­h­is is wh­e­re­ I we­nt­ wh­e­n I h­ad t­o­ go­ o­n a die­t­ re­m­o­v­al and lo­ss o­f co­m­p­le­t­e­ wit­h­o­ut­ fo­o­d o­n co­o­king such­ as wh­e­at­, e­ggs, so­y, m­ilk, o­at­s, se­afo­o­d, fruit­s, all nut­s, se­e­ds .. e­t­c. .. b­ut­ it­'s m­e­, so­rry:) B­e­st­ o­f luck!

Ho­w to­ Tr­e­a­t V­a­r­i­o­us­ I­nfa­nt & To­ddl­e­r­ A­i­l­m­e­nts­ : Pr­e­v­e­nti­ng Do­g A­l­l­e­r­gi­e­s­ i­n a­ Ba­by

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Tagged as: allergies, baby, food, infant, Infant Allergies, infant allergies symptoms, infant allergies to cats, infant allergies to pets, infant allergies vomiting, solids