Miriam Nisonen Oliver

Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Miriam is an educator, academic and musician. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Masters of Musicology and Jewish Studies from the University of Toronto, where her research focused on nationalism and collective memory in Israeli opera.

Miriam is a classically trained singer and pianist, who is passionate about building communities through artistic and cultural exchange. Miriam was the co-president at University of Toronto’s Hillel during her Master’s, and since graduating, has spent the last school year teaching English in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. In Mallorca, she also volunteered with the Jewish community there, learning about the unique Jewish history on the island and developing life-long connections. These experiences have taught Miriam the importance of community engaged, hands-on learning, which she is looking forward to continuing this year in Israel.

Both personally and academically, Miriam feels a deep connection and responsibility to Israel and its people(s). Spending two weeks volunteering on Israeli farms this past December strengthened Miriam’s appreciation for its inhabitants, and sparked a desire to learn as much as possible while making a real impact. She sees this year as an opportunity to deepen her understanding of Israel, its history and cultures, while also bringing her unique perspectives to the work she does.