ICRF Toronto was proud to recognize Jesse Primerano, Executive Director of StandWithUs Canada, as the inaugural recipient of the Harry Lebovic Jewish Young Leadership Award—an honour that celebrates the next generation of leaders making a meaningful impact within the Jewish community and beyond. In this special Q and A with ICRF Toronto, Primerano discusses the significance of the award and shares his connection to ICRF and its mission.
ICRF: Congratulations, Jesse, on your award! I’d love to begin by learning more about your connection to Israel Cancer Research Fund.
Primerano: I was actually first introduced to ICRF through this event, Revolving Tables, some number of years ago. RT has become a leading annual gathering for young professionals in Toronto, strengthening our community’s professional network in support of a critical cause, while also instilling a real sense of Jewish pride. Cancer is one of the few issues that impacts nearly every family, and I take real pride in seeing Israeli scientists play such a leading role in advancing life-saving work. This is what makes ICRF so special—how tangible its impact is. There is a direct line between support and outcome, which is what makes being in the room at RT so meaningful.
ICRF: Why do you feel ICRF is so important to the fight against cancer and in also in its support of Jewish scientists in Israel?
Primerano: ICRF is doing such incredible work for both the Jewish community and the world at-large. Their life-saving cancer research breakthroughs don’t stay local; they are saving lives around the world. At a time when Israel is often defined by misleading headlines and distorted narratives, ICRF’s work tells a very different story: one of excellence, innovation, and global impact. A story of world-class research with real, measurable outcomes. Supporting these scientists isn’t just about advancing medicine, it’s about backing one of the most important contributors to global progress and one of the many examples of how Israeli innovation is changing lives around the world.
ICRF: Receiving the inaugural Harry Lebovic Jewish Young Leadership Award is a huge honour. How did it feel to receive the award at the Revolving Tables event?
Primerano: Receiving this award was extremely meaningful to me, not because of the recognition itself, but because of what it represented. Harry Lebovic’s commitment to building and strengthening the Jewish community has been a powerful example of what leadership should look like, and the kind that inspires others to step forward themselves. To be associated with that example, and to be recognized by an organization like ICRF, whose work is quite literally saving lives, means a great deal to me. What makes this award so special is where it comes from. It’s a real reminder of the strength and resilience of our community, and the dedication of those who build and sustain it.
ICRF: What makes Revolving Tables so impactful?
Primerano: What stood out most to me that evening was the sense of continuity, a room filled with leaders who have built our community, alongside a next generation ready to carry that responsibility forward. The connection between those who have invested so much into building this community and those prepared to lead it into the future was powerful. That kind of strength doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built by people who choose to show up, invest, and take responsibility for something larger than themselves. That’s what makes this community so special. Organizations like Israel Cancer Research Fund create the space for that to happen, helping ensure that the next generation is proud of who they are, connected to Israel, and ready to step up when it matters most. If we continue to meet that moment with clarity and commitment, there’s every reason to feel optimistic about what comes next.
Thank you, Jesse, and mazel tov on your award!
