Book Talks with Ellen Schwartz

Ellen Schwartz is an elementary school teacher, community leader, author, public speaker, and advocate for research awareness and screening for neurodegenerative diseases. As founder of Project Give Back, she links her decades of teaching with her personal passion for charitable causes. She co-founded Jacob’s Ladder, The Canadian Foundation for the Control of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Jacob’s Ladder has raised over $3 million towards research, education, and awareness into neurodegenerative illnesses.

Ellen has written two books - Lessons from Jacob: A Disabled Son Teaches His Mother About Courage, Hope and the Joy of Living Each Day to the Fullest and Without One Word Spoken. The latter was rated a national best seller by The Globe and Mail.

Ellen has the ability to move and inspire audiences due to her unwavering belief in her son’s abilities, her steadfast commitment to education and research into neurodegenerative diseases, and her heartfelt desire to help others cope with life’s toughest challenges. Ellen was honoured as a “Woman of Action” by the Israel Cancer Research Fund, as well as honoured by Ve’ahavta and Aish Toronto. She was awarded a Queen’s Jubilee medal, as well as the Meritorious Service Decoration by the Governor General of Canada, and a Canada 150 Exemplary Canadian Award. Just recently, Ellen was named Philanthropist of the Year by Brilliant Minded Women.