Sept 2023
Wendy Schneider
What better time to feature newcomers to our community than in celebration of a new year. Over the last few years, Hamilton’s Jewish community has seen the arrival of many young families from across the globe. These recent arrivals represent the Jewish community’s next wave of entrepreneurial talent and skilled tradespeople who have chosen to make Hamilton home.
Josh Moskowitz
WHO HE IS
Plumber, father, people person
WHERE HE'S FROM
Toronto
FAMILY
Married to former journalist and realtor, Jessica Hume, the couple have two children, a daughter, 6 and a son, 4.
WHEN THEY ARRIVED
July 2022
WHERE THEY LIVE
They live in the St. Clair/Blakely neighbourhood near Gage Park.
HOW HE GOT INTO THE BUSINESS
“I love trade work and I just wanted to focus on one trade. To be honest I got into plumbing because it’s kind of like a mystery. It takes a certain kind of person to be a plumber. Plumbers don’t give up.”
HOW IT'S GOING
It’s going well. Moskowitz has four full-time employees. Most of his business is still in Toronto but he would like to expand more in Hamilton.
WANTS YOU TO KNOW
Moskovitz has what he calls a “community-based work ethic.”
“I learned my business ethic from my dad, a lawyer who was mostly involved in real estate. He was really good to people. My whole thing is my honesty. I care a lot.”
IMPRESSIONS OF HAMILTON
“I love it. People are really easy to get along with. I like how there’s younger kids on the street without adult supervision all over the place. I don’t see that in Toronto. It’s like all over where I live. My area is all young families.”
CONTACT
jmo@jmoplumbing.com
416-839-3653
Nadya Eremenko
WHO SHE IS
Teacher, mother, sensory kit creator
WHERE SHE’S FROM
A native of Ukraine, Eremenko made aliyah to Israel as a teenager. She met her husband in Israel.
FAMILY
Eremenko and her husband, Shlomi Linoy, have two daughters, ages 6 and 3.
WHEN THEY ARRIVED
The couple immigrated to Canada seven years ago. They moved to Hamilton from New Brunswick in December 2022 to be closer to a Jewish community.
WHERE THEY LIVE
Dundas
HOW SHE GOT INTO BUSINESS
Eremenko received her Bachelors of Education in Israel and is currently employed as a “casual supply” educational assistant with the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board. About a year ago she started an online business selling sensory bins, which she’s found helped build fine motor skills, promoted sensory development and imagination in her own children. Each of Eremenko’s bins comes with a filler made of coloured rice or chickpeas, colourful scoops, tweezers and accessories according to themes. She also offers custom orders.
WANTS YOU TO KNOW
For all children, but in particular for those with special needs, sensory bin play is “ a very calming activity,” she said. “The main thing is unstructured activity, let your children do whatever they want. You just want to keep them safe and to have fun.”
CONTACT
instagram.com/happy_childhoodgoods
Email: eremenko1386@gmail.com
Website
Soraya Chusyd
WHO SHE IS
Clean beauty advocate, mother
WHERE SHE'S FROM
Brazil
FAMILY
Married to Fabio Chusyd, a financial advisor. The couple, who are featured in Federation’s JWelcome Home promotional video, have two daughters, ages 4 and 5.
WHEN THEY ARRIVED
The Chusyd family immigrated to Winnipeg in 2016, and moved to Hamilton in 2018.
WHERE THEY LIVE
Hamilton Mountain
HOW SHE GOT INTO BUSINESS
Chusyd first heard about the Clean Beauty Movement in Winnipeg. “It really shocked me how toxic products are and how there’s no legislation to regulate it,” she said. Chusyd began slowly switching to greener personal care and cleaning products. Six months ago Chusyd started her own online business with Beautycounter, a company that specializes in selling non-toxic beauty supplies.
WANTS YOU TO KNOW
“One of the things I love about Beautycounter is how ethical they are socially and environmentally. They also track their sources to make sure there is no child labour involved in mica mines, which is a product vastly used in cosmetics and it’s a huge issue.” Chusyd says her business is doing well, particularly among Hamilton’s large Brazilian community, but she’d like to expand her reach.
IMPRESSIONS OF HAMILTON
“Hamilton is a great city. I love that it is close to bigger cities, and also big enough to have its own character. Our favorite place to visit is the Royal Botanical Gardens.”
CONTACT
beautycounter.com/sorayachusyd
instagram.com/sorayachusyd/
Caroline Erez
WHO SHE IS
Principal of Caroline Erez Design
WHERE SHE'S FROM
Toronto
FAMILY
She is married to an Israeli lawyer, who practices in Toronto. The couple has three small children and two miniature dachshunds.
WHEN THEY ARRIVED
2018
WHERE THEY LIVE
Hamilton’s Durand neighbourhood
HOW SHE GOT INTO THE BUSINESS
“A lifelong love of art and architecture led to studies at University of Toronto in art history. But I felt a strong desire to create for myself; once I began interning at some prestigious firms in New York and Los Angeles, I could see interior design at its best. Being exposed to all the resources those cities had to offer, I was hooked! I quickly transitioned into working for myself and haven’t looked back.”
WANTS YOU TO KNOW
“Good design makes life better. Beauty is nourishing, and with design intent we can live more functionally too. I’m here to help make that happen!”
IMPRESSIONS OF HAMILTON
“Hamilton quickly became home for us. The number of hikes, waterfalls and nature trails surrounding the city has been wonderful to discover too. Most importantly, the creative possibilities of the city are starting to reveal themselves to us as well—the restaurants, the art galleries, festivals, events. We’re happy here and the children are thriving.”
CONTACT
Caroline@carolineerez.com
instagram.com/carolineerezdesign
