Winnipegger Maxim Berent received the Leading Light Award in recognition of his leadership in promotion of Jewish identity and Israel advocacy at “The State of Our People” benefit hosted by Aish Campus Canada on December 4, 2012 in Toronto.
 
“I am truly grateful for this award. It has been privilege and pleasure working with Aish. I am proud to be part its passion and mission to create a bright future for the Jewish community worldwide,” Berent said.
 
“Berent has been a tremendous source of inspiration to the staff and fellow students at Aish, demonstrating what it means to be a leader. He has internalized the values Judaism holds dear and has stepped up to take initiative within the Jewish community and is an example of what it means to be a Jewish leader,” said Aish Campus Rabbinic Staff.

“Aish is an organization working to create a Jewish renaissance by inspiring Jewish leaders. Through our Aish Campus program, we have been privileged to work with many incredible students over the years. We, as campus rabbis, educate and inspire the future leaders of the Jewish community. Every now and then, a student comes along who understands the power of taking responsibility and as a result, they inspire us. Berent is one of those students.”

Berent is a 23 year old who recently tranferred from Architecture at University of Manitoba to study Interior Architecture at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He holds/has held numerous volunteer positions within the Jewish community.  He is a member of Board of Directors of Chai Folk Arts Council Inc., Winnipeg Chapter Executive Canadian Friends of Magen David Adom, Cultural chair of Israel Pavilion Shalom Square at Folklorama,  President, Jewish Business Network @ Winnipeg (September 2011– August 2012),  President, Hillel Winnipeg (September 2010– September 2011), and Advisory Board Member of CFJS - Canadian Federation of Jewish Students (September 2010– June 2011).

At “The State of Our People” benefit event three international experts discussed leadership, direction and strategy amongst challenging global conditions.

 “I was very impressed by the three speakers at the event. They discussed today's Jewish leadership, Middle Eastern and Israeli politics and the direction and strategy of some of the most challenging global conditions that we, as a Jewish people are faced with today.  The three international experts highlighted their views on the situation and experience. Each panelist represented a different Jewish community around the world,” said Berent.

“I think they were remarkable speakers. Very diverse thinking. It was an inspirational and educational evening,” added Berent.

 Deborah Abisror Executive Director of the European Union of Jewish Students, represented Europe. Representing the Middle East was Elan Carr, former legal advisor to Israel’s Ministry of Justice and expert on Middle East affairs and terrorism and Nathan J, Diament Director of the Institute for Public Affairs of the Union of Orthodox Jewish congregations of America represented North America.

Aish Campus Canada is a nation-wide university outreach program supporting and empowering students across Canada to advocate for Israel, take responsibility for their Jewish heritage and assume leadership positions to their universities and in the wider Canadian Jewish community. Through innovative programming such as the Maimonides Jewish leadership Project, Jerusalem Fellowships, Poland Leadership Trip and on-on-one mentoring, the Aish campus team has created a Jewish campus movement of dedicated, educated and committed students.