Ilana Kendal is a writer, teacher, and speaker of extraordinary gifts. Her agile approach in blending the many disciplines of psychology neurology and spirituality makes her uniquely accessible and exciting for the seasoned growth seeker and the newly seeking. With her depth of Torah knowledge and passion, she engages the soul from word one: while simultaneously stimulating and engaging the intellectual/cerebral learner in her audience. Ilana is a “sure thing” and the “real deal”: one of the most engaging speakers I have ever had the privilege to hear!

Ilana’s ability to distill important lessons from our rich heritage and inspire people to live their lives more meaningfully has made a huge impact on the Toronto Jewish community. She has drawn innumerable students to her classes and programs, and the breadth of her reach is matched by the depth of her message.

I first met Ilana Kendal at an Aish conference a number of years ago, when she was teaching a class. She won me over with her warm, infectious smile and engaging and dynamic manner. My mother in law had told me about a new young speaker who had been the MC at the Aish Toronto dinner that year and was just so fabulous. I wasn’t surprised when I realized she was talking about Ilana! Since then I have gotten to know Ilana as a speaker and friend: she is authentic, sincere, learned, engaging and practical, and conveys her message with clarity and humor. She often peppers her talks with personal anecdotes which gives students a sense of how to live with and internalize Torah values into their lives.

We have had the honour of having Ilana Kendal speak in our community on many occasions and her talks are truly transformative. Ilana has a unique talent of crafting inspiring messages for her audiences. Her delivery and communication styles are exemplary, and incredibly moving for every listener.

Authentic inspiration grows from genuine connection. When you feel connected to a teacher or speaker by the power of their passion, honesty, empathy and meaningful messages of hope and growth, the inspiration to step into your future becomes real. Ilana Kendal moves her audiences and students by connecting with them through her thoughtful, sensitive and compelling presentation style as well as through her uplifting and thought-provoking message of personal growth. Often combining Jewish wisdom and sources with the benefits of insightful research and discovery, she expertly leads her audiences to a place of self-discovery and revealed potential.

Ilana is not simply a skilled orator, she is an extremely engaging teacher, enabling her messages to not simply be heard, but internalized, due to her unique combination of passion, wisdom, and empathy

I had the privilege of hearing Ilana during a Limmud FSU event. If you’ve ever attended such events you’d know just how diverse the audience can be, and how much the needs, knowledge and interests of the attendees can vary from individual to individual. Yet Ilana successfully captivated her entire audience, drawing us all – despite all our differences – into a narrative that combined personal experiences, professional insights, and heart-felt Torah scholarship. It was a pleasure to listen to her and explore emotional resilience from a new angle.

We were thrilled to have Ilana speak at our challah bake. She has the gift of teaching and connecting to the people in her audience, and we could have listened to her for much longer!

Ilana’s passionate presentation about Judaism and how it relates to everyday life mesmerized her audience. She brought real life examples, filling the room with radiance about the topics she covered. Her friendly and open demeanour welcomed questions from participants and left us all inspired to grow.

We were blessed to have Ilana come speak at our Annual Mother-Daughter Melave Malka. She is a breath of fresh air! She brought such great energy, wisdom, and inspiration to all who were present. She has a unique ability to connect and build a rapport with women and girls of all ages. IYH we look forward to having her back soon!