H. Arnold Steinberg, CM

Arnold Steinberg embodies the essence of this award as a Jewish leader making a positive impact in both the Jewish and non-Jewish world. Arnold has been involved with numerous charitable, educational and cultural organizations and has been a major philanthropist and community leader for decades.

Arnold served on the Federation Executive Committee from 1992 through 1996. During that time, he also served as Vice President and Treasurer. He now serves as Chair of the Investment Committee of the Jewish General Hospital Foundation and is a long-time member of the Investment Committee of the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal. He has been a leading supporter of Combined Jewish Appeal and a long-term major donor to the Jewish General Hospital. In addition, Arnold and his son, Adam, took a leading role in facilitating the recently-opened Child Development Mental Health Building at the JGH.

Among the scores of Jewish philanthropic organizations Arnold supports, major gifts have gone to the Canadian Friends of the Israel Museum, the Jewish Public Library, Shaare Zion Congregation, Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors, Mount Sinai Hospital and the YM-YWHA.

Arnold was appointed to the Governing Council of The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and, since 2007, has served as Vice-Chair of CIHR. He also served two terms as a member of the Canada Council for the Arts and as a member of its Executive Committee for four years. His other current federal government appointments include being a core member of the Selection Boards of the Canada Excellence Research Chairs, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship Program and the Banting Post Doctoral Fellowship Program.

Arnold was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 1993. In 2000, he was awarded an Honourary Doctorate from McGill University and, in 2009, an Honourary Doctorate from the Université de Montreal. In 2009, Arnold was appointed the 18th Chancellor of McGill University.

Arnold is married to Dr. Blema Steinberg, Professor Emeritus, McGill University and is the father of Margot, Donna and Adam, and grandfather of five.