Experience

Canadian Jewish News (The CJN)

• Canada
• Media Production
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Podcast Host, The CJN Daily

  • Apr 2021 - Present

  Created, produce and host a bite-sized daily podcast covering Canadian Jewish news as part of the CJN Podcast network. We cover news and current affairs impacting the country's 390,000 Jewish residents, and those who work and live abroad in Israel, Arizona and Florida in the winters, of course, and anywhere Canadian Jews are making news. Created, produce and host a bite-sized daily podcast covering Canadian Jewish news as part of the CJN Podcast network. We cover news and current affairs impacting the country's 390,000 Jewish residents, and those who work and live abroad in Israel, Arizona and Florida in the winters, of course, and anywhere Canadian Jews are making news.



Double Threat: Canadian Jews, the Military and World War ll

• Toronto, Canada Area

• Author

  • Aug 2015 - Present

  "He died so Jewry should suffer no more." These words on a Canadian Jewish soldier's tombstone in Normandy inspired the author to explore the role of Canadian Jews in the war effort. As Prime Minister Mackenzie King wrote in 1947, Jewish servicemen faced a "double threat"-they were not only fighting against Fascism but for Jewish survival. At the same time they encountered widespread antisemitism and the dangers of being identified as Jews if captured. Bessner conducted hundreds of interviews and extensive archival research to paint a complex picture of the 17,000 Canadian Jews-about 10 per cent of the Jewish population of wartime Canada-who served, including future Cabinet minister Barney Danson and future game-show host Monty Hall, comedians Wayne and Shuster, and Senator David Croll. Added to this fascinating account are Jews who were among the so called "Zombies"- Canadians who were drafted, but chose to serve at home-the various perspectives of the Jewish community and the participation of Canadian Jewish women. Show less



Freelance Journalism

• Toronto, Canada Area

• Freelance journalist

  • 2009 - Present



Video training

• Ontario

• Workshop leader

  • Jul 2011 - Present

  I train reporters and editors at local media outlets to perform better when they appear on camera. I also conduct script writing workshops for print reporters who need to make the transition to video. I conduct video analysis of demo tapes and coach clients how to be their best selves on air. Some of my clients include the Globe and Mail, and Annex Media. I train reporters and editors at local media outlets to perform better when they appear on camera. I also conduct script writing workshops for print reporters who need to make the transition to video. I conduct video analysis of demo tapes and coach clients how to be their best selves on air. Some of my clients include the Globe and Mail, and Annex Media.



Centennial College

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Journalism professor

  • Sep 2004 - 2021

  Full time faculty in the School of Journalism mainly responsible for the broadcasting and multi media courses. I spend most of my week as managing editor of the Observer Radio and TV News courses, plus I also teach Advanced Interviewing, Contemporary Journalism, Podcasting, Vertical Storytelling, and live blogging/Tweeting. Full time faculty in the School of Journalism mainly responsible for the broadcasting and multi media courses. I spend most of my week as managing editor of the Observer Radio and TV News courses, plus I also teach Advanced Interviewing, Contemporary Journalism, Podcasting, Vertical Storytelling, and live blogging/Tweeting.



CBC Radio News, Toronto

• Reporter and announcer

  • 2006 - Aug 2009

  Wrote, lined up, operated control room, announced live hourly national newscasts, announced the news for Metro Morning and Here and Now, field reporting for World at Six, The World This Hour, World Report, and CBC News Toronto. Wrote, lined up, operated control room, announced live hourly national newscasts, announced the news for Metro Morning and Here and Now, field reporting for World at Six, The World This Hour, World Report, and CBC News Toronto.



Seneca College

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Instructor

  • May 2003 - Sep 2006

  Taught hands on courses in on air TV anchoring and performance. Some of my successful students include Alex Mihailovich of SUN News, and Michelle Jobin of Global News Taught hands on courses in on air TV anchoring and performance. Some of my successful students include Alex Mihailovich of SUN News, and Michelle Jobin of Global News



CTV News, Report on Business Television

• Toronto

• Writer, Editor, Business anchor

  • Jul 1997 - Dec 2005

  Wrote and performed hourly live to air market updates, interviewed newsmakers and business executives, worked at the TSX studio location as well as ROBTV (now BNN) news studios, researched financial statements. When I wasn't on air as a business anchor, I worked in the CTV News Net newsroom as a story editor, and also on weekends as a writer for the CTV National News with Sandie Rinaldo. Wrote and performed hourly live to air market updates, interviewed newsmakers and business executives, worked at the TSX studio location as well as ROBTV (now BNN) news studios, researched financial statements. When I wasn't on air as a business anchor, I worked in the CTV News Net newsroom as a story editor, and also on weekends as a writer for the CTV National News with Sandie Rinaldo.



University Instructors (UI)

• Education Administration Programs
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Ryerson Unversity

  • Sep 1999 - Sep 2003

  Television News instructor, Ryerson Journalism and also at the Ryerson Radio and Television Arts program. Some of my students who have gone on to great success include Ross Hull, now weather anchor with CBC, Farrah Nasser, anchor at CP24, and Naomi Parness, reporter at CTV Toronto. Television News instructor, Ryerson Journalism and also at the Ryerson Radio and Television Arts program. Some of my students who have gone on to great success include Ross Hull, now weather anchor with CBC, Farrah Nasser, anchor at CP24, and Naomi Parness, reporter at CTV Toronto.



CBC Radio News

• Europe and Africa

• Freelance foreign correspondent

  • Aug 1989 - Oct 1994

  Lived and worked in Italy as a freelance foreign correspondent, mostly for CBC and The Canadian Press covering Italy, the Vatican and UN agency news including the FAO and WFP. Covered several African wars including Liberia, Sierra Leone and Mozambique. Worked as a fixer for international news media when I wasn't covering stories myself. Covered the assassinations of two anti-mafia judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, the corruption trials of politicians such as Benito Craxi and Guilio Andreotti, the World Cup of Soccer in 1990, the eruption of Mt. Etna, and much much more. Show less