TORONTO — Natalie Berens, co-chair of Toronto Hadassah WIZO’s upcoming fundraising event, praises the organization’s mentorship program for giving her the skills to plan it.

Mind Power: An Evening with Mentalist Sidney Friedman, to be held Nov. 30 at On the Park Events and Conference Centre, is the organization’s largest fundraising endeavour of the year.

She said the event grew out of an initiative in the organization to mentor young leaders.

Sheryl Simon, Hadassah’s Toronto Centre chapter president, was mentored in 2009 by past president Sarah Granatowicz. Simon said it was Granatowicz’s vision to pair up-and-coming leaders with seasoned ones.

“They set goals together and work on such areas as fundraising, public speaking and sharing the history of the organization.”

Simon said that since its inception, the mentoring program has had 16 pairs of mentors and mentees.

“People are chosen in a brainstorming session, in which we identify those who have taken the spotlight.”

It’s unique program, she said, and Toronto Hadassah is sharing it with other cities, as well as the international organization. “It is a sure way for us to have succession.”

Berens herself was mentored by Hadassah member Vivian Sharon. She said Sharon was instrumental in helping her plan the Friedman event.

“She taught me about asking for sponsors, getting advertising for the program book, selling tickets, advertising, and speaking at meetings. She coached me and shared her experiences.”

Berens’ co-chairs, who are also mentees, she said, were trained “from A to Z about all aspects required to create a successful fundraising event.”

For more information or to buy tickets, e-mail [email protected], call 416-630-8373 or visit www.chw.ca/Toronto.