Their guests gathered April 26 at the old mansion on Docteur Penfield Avenue, which has been their home since September, as well as that of 12 other young people from around the world and Canada. The program is sponsored by the Jeanne Sauvé Foundation, which was established by the late governor general and journalist, and is affiliated with McGill University.

Although Shefler and Rivlin, both 28, have completed their year, they may be spotted in Montreal through to the end of June, in between trips back to Israel and travels closer by.

This fall, Shefler, who was a career air force officer, will be studying political science and law at the Interdisciplinary Centre Herzliya, a private college in Israel that specializes in areas that will influence the country’s political and economic agenda.

Rivlin, a Hebrew University graduate and peace activist, has been accepted at Harvard University, where he will study government and public policy.

Both hope to some day make a contribution to Israel’s development, perhaps on the international stage.

Their leadership potential was the primary reason they were selected for the Sauvé program from among the more than 1,100 applicants last year.

During their time here, the scholars, who are all under 30, are given space to reflect on what to do with their lives, study as much or as little as they want, and learn from a wide variety of opinion-makers, personal academic mentors and their fellow scholars. They’re also encouraged to get involved in the community through social-action projects.

Shefler and Rivlin were often invited to speak about Israel in different milieus. For example, they toured different Montreal area schools to talk about captured Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit and his dream of peace, using an illustrated book he wrote as a child entitled When the Fish and the Shark First Met.

“It was important for Yaniv and I to bring the Israeli side. It’s something less heard here,” Shefler said.

“I do not believe in God, but I believe in Judaism. It’s an amazing culture that we should share with others.”

“Amazing” is the word both of them repeatedly used to describe their time in Montreal. They are especially thankful for the warmth and hospitality that was extended to them by the Jewish community.

“I never felt lonely,” said Rivlin. “There was not one weekend or holiday that someone did not open up their home to us.”

“I think I had seven invitations at Passover,” Shefler added.

Over the Sauvé program’s seven years, there have been 87 scholars from 44 countries, said Harold “Sonny” Gordon, chairman of the foundation board.

“This program is a hidden asset that does not get much publicity,” he said.