Canada has committed more funds to the United Nations agency overseeing Palestinian refugees, again raising the ire of Jewish organizations. Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development, announced on Oct. 12 that Canada will give up to $50 million over two years to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

The strained mental health services at Agence Ometz have been given much-needed relief with a $1-million donation from Miriam Aaron Roland. It is the largest gift Ometz has ever received from a private donor.

David Myers has been named board president of the New Israel Fund several months after stepping down as CEO of the Center for Jewish History following a controversy-marred one-year tenure. The New Israel Fund supports progressive causes in Israel. It says it has provided $300 million to over 900 Israeli civil society organizations.

Fauda actor Tsahi Halevi married Arab news anchor Lucy Aharish recently and the union has drawn ire from several prominent Jewish leaders, including Israeli Interior Minister Aryeh Deri. Halevi, 43, is a musician and actor from Petah Tikva best known for his work on the hit Israeli political-thriller Fauda, while Aharish, 37, is Israel’s first Arab presenter on prime-time television.