The people behind
The Space.

Rabbi Meir Dubrawsky is a Co-Founder of The Space and a central force behind its vision of bringing mental health support into the heart of the Jewish community. His leadership at the Yorkville Jewish Centre, combined with his deep commitment to community care and human dignity, shaped the founding belief that mental health belongs in community, not only in clinical settings.

Rabbi Dubrawsky recognized a need for accessible, stigma-free conversations about mental wellbeing within the community and worked alongside Nechama to create The Space as a place where people at every stage of life could feel seen, supported, and less alone.

Nechama Dubrawsky is a Co-Founder of The Space, bringing her passion for community, connection, and holistic wellbeing to the initiative. Alongside Rabbi Meir Dubrawsky, she helped build the foundation for a community-based mental health initiative that is rooted in Jewish values and open to everyone.

Nechama is deeply motivated by the belief that feeling a sense of belonging and being part of a supportive community are essential to mental health and resilience. Her vision helped shape The Space as a place where people can come as they are, find support at any stage of life, and build meaningful connections.

Shir Elmaleh is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and the Director of The Space. Shir is passionate about creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported. Her work is grounded in the belief that mental health is part of everyday life and that no one should have to navigate life's challenges alone.

Through The Space, Shir hopes to bring people together, foster meaningful connections, and make mental health conversations and support more accessible. Inspired by the power of community and the importance of feeling a sense of belonging, she is committed to building an initiative rooted in the Jewish community and welcoming to all, where everyone feels there is space for them.

Diana is a Registered Psychotherapist and Certified Sex Therapist. She is the clinical director of Toronto Intimacy Counselling, a multidisciplinary clinic specializing in sexual function and relationship struggles.

She is an executive board member of the Association of Sex Therapists in Ontario and is program director of the Toronto Centre for Emotionally Focused Therapy. Her passion for education has enabled her to lecture extensively and teach seminars worldwide on the interconnection of mental health and healthy sexuality across the lifespan.

Maya is a Registered Psychotherapist, behaviour-change specialist, educator, programme developer, and facilitator. Her work is grounded in helping people recognize their strengths, navigate uncertainty, and take practical steps toward meaningful change.

Maya holds a PhD from the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto and completed postdoctoral training in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and at University Health Network's ELLICSR Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship Centre. She is also a MINT Certified Trainer through the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers.

Her experience spans psychotherapy, mental-health programming, university teaching, curriculum development, and professional training in motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy, crisis intervention, and vicarious trauma. As a member of The Space's Board of Directors, Maya brings expertise in evidence-informed programme development, behaviour change, and creating practical, compassionate approaches to supporting mental health and well-being.

Rachel Lebovic is a PhD Candidate at the University of Toronto studying suicide prevention and public mental health, with a focus on media and youth mental health. She earned a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience and behavioural biology from Emory University and a Master of Health Science in public mental health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Rachel's work is largely motivated by her lived experience overcoming mental health challenges.

Dr. Rivka Green is a clinical neuropsychologist at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), working across clinical and research settings. She earned her Master's and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Developmental Psychology with a specialization in Neuropsychology at York University.

Dr. Green completed her residency and postdoctoral fellowship at SickKids across pediatric neuropsychology and health psychology settings. Her clinical work focuses on assessment, consultation and parenting intervention for children and families impacted by neurodevelopmental disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, and associated medical and neurological conditions.

In addition, Dr. Green works as a clinical psychologist at Kayla's Children Centre (KCC) and maintains a small private practice.

Dr. Finkelstein is a Professor of Pediatrics, Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Toronto, and a staff physician at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto. He graduated from Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel, with thesis honours and completed pediatrics residency at Schneider Children's Medical Center, where he then served as Associate Department Chief.

Following Medical Toxicology training at the Chicago Toxikon, University of Illinois (2002) and a fellowship in Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (2004-2007) and Emergency Medicine at the Hospital for Sick Children, he joined the hospital's staff. He is board-certified in Clinical Pharmacology (American Board of Clinical Pharmacology, 2007) and is an appointed Senior Associate Scientist in the Research Institute (Child Health Evaluative Sciences).

Between 2008 and 2010, he was appointed an adjunct/visiting Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, Boston.