Who we are
The Choice Foundation was created to meet the needs of those living with a disability.
Motivated by a desire to create a just and fair community for people with a disability.
Our mission
To have a strong, inclusive community where every member can contribute by ensuring that a person with a disability has the same opportunity to reach their potential as anybody else. We endeavour to do this by welcoming and supporting innovative ideas and programs in the disability space.
Our belief
People are at their best when contributing to society, and making the choice to strengthen our community is a true expression of our Jewish values.
Our story
Our Founders
Taryn Boyarsky
Founder
Taryn Boyarsky is married with three daughters. She has been involved in the Sydney Jewish Community for over 25 years with involvement as a participant, as well as a committee member. Taryn obtained a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Speech Pathology at the University of Sydney. She helped create Beyachad, a support group for mothers with children with disabilities who attend Moriah College, as well as establish Besimcha, a support service for these children to attend simchas in the community. Shortly after, a support group called Dad 4 Dad for the fathers of these children followed. Taryn with her husband Andrew created the first Giving Circle in Australia in 2015. She is committed to community service, and to the inclusion of all.
Andrew Boyarsky
Founder
Andrew Boyarsky is a qualified engineer and the managing director of the diversified property investment and development company Anka, founded by his parents Alex and Vera in 1968. Andrew has been instrumental in further developing the family’s philanthropic interests in the sectors of the Arts, Education, Medical Research, Israel and Jewish Life. He is currently president of UIA NSW and a member of the JCA Building and Capital Committee. He is a past board member of the Hakoah Club.
Our Board
Nicole Gamerov
Board Member
Nicole Gamerov FCA, is the Founder and CEO of MyCareSpace, an online platform which creates meaningful connections for people living with a disability, so they can build extraordinary lives for themselves. The vision of MyCareSpace is to support people living with a disability to make better informed health and lifestyle choices, by connecting them with service providers, research and personal stories. Prior to launching her own business, Nicole had a 17-year career in finance during which she held several senior and management roles in both the investment banking and reinsurance sectors.
Nicole has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting from the University of Cape Town and went on to obtain her Chartered Financial Analyst in 1999. Nicole is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Australian Centre for Financial Studies. Nicole is passionate about empowering people to reach their full potential, so they can enhance the quality of their own lives.
Daniel Grynberg
Board Member
Daniel Grynberg was the Chief Executive Officer of JCA, [and was instrumental in the creation of the Choice Foundation]. He is a lawyer, working for 11 years as the general and corporate counsel at the Meriton Group, and also worked in development at the Ariadne Group. Prior to that Daniel worked at Freehills and spent a year on secondment at the Shopfront Youth Legal Centre. He has been a long-time volunteer at the Kingsford Legal Centre. Daniel has also held a range of positions on the boards of The Shalom Institute, The Hakoah Club and Emanuel Synagogue Building Committee. He is currently an Executive Director of LongView Property Management, and a Non-Executive Director of The Bread & Butter Project. He is also a member of the advisory board of the Social Impact Hub.
Steven Gluckman
Board member
Steven Gluckman is a Paediatric Surgical Resident with a passion for community service and communal life. He has recently completed the Observership Program where he sat as an Observer on the Wolper Hospital Board, and completed the Australian Insitute of Company Directors training for Non-For-Profit Organisations. He has Medical and Medical Sciences degrees from the University of Sydney, and is actively researching Paediatric health.
His previous experience includes a significant involvement with the Special Needs Support Services in his roles as a companion, senior leader and committee member of Camp Sababa, supported by the Sony Foundation, and as a founder, director and advisor for Sababa Lagumba (now Camp Sababa Senior), supported by Raymond Weil. Steven’s aptitude for communal engagement has also been demonstrated through his involvement with JewishCare’s Big Brother Program. He has also represented the Jewish community in the broader Australian community through Stand Up’s Derech Eretz and Camp Connections program. Steven is committed to making inclusion, engagement and communal service an integral part of his career and personal life.
Our Manager
Danielle Wakerman
Foundation Manager
Danielle Wakerman is The Manager of The Choice Foundation. She studied Social Work at UNSW doing a masters in Holocaust Therapies. After studying, she went on to sit on the advisory board at Tumabtin Clinic to assist in the diagnosis and assessment of children with suspected delays and disorders in development. Later in her career Danielle worked at Jewish Care providing case management to the elderly and was later engaged by Montefiore Nursing Home to set up a private care service for older Jewish people choosing to live and/or die at home rather than in a nursing setting. Her role at JCA The Choice Foundation is to help create a hub for inclusion and disability in Sydney and to gain momentum in this space. Danielle has two young daughters at home.
