Magen Boys Entertainment Looking Past Pandemic

At eighteen, the boys were forced to throw an after party for their high school fashion show,

as punishment for being late for practices. When over fifteen hundred people attended, their business Magen Boys Entertainment was launched. As for the Simcha event productions, “We were doing things our way,” explained Jian.

“That meant we brought a level of inclusivity and interaction that wasn’t seen before. We used the guests in ways that made them a part of the act. We were definitely the engine however the audience was the fuel. We were doing close to 30 simchas in a weekend when things were at their peak.” By the age of twenty, they bought their family a home and by then they were flying high.

Until March 2020. 

It is now March 2021.

When the whirlwind carousel that was their day to day existence for twenty years suddenly stopped, they finally had time to stop and think, to question, and to evaluate their lives.

It was obviously not an easy time for them, losing their livelihood and their entertainment empire through no fault of their own. Yet, they realized how much others, their friends and clients, were suffering through enforced separation from families, people getting sick and dying, loneliness and fear.

Their philosophy was a very Jewish understanding; they had an overwhelming realization they could help people because “their ‘currency’ was their relationships and their product was joy”.

As Jian explains,” One of the things we learned since the pandemic began is that we have a duty to bring joy to our community. It may not be as a party now, but we’ve learned we can do this by giving back”.

These are not just platitudes, it is really who they are. Their love and gratitude for the Jewish community is genuine and their commitment to contribute is heartfelt.

Since the beginning of the pandemic they have been doing charity events, beginning with The Joy Drive for U.J.A./  Untitled Giving done with Israel Apter, Avi Glina, Jeremy Blustein; delivering toys to thousands of children along with Toronto community leaders Tyrone Edwards a.k.a Mr. One Love T.O. , D.J. Charlie B and T.V. Gucci.

Their strong relationship with the Black community is the foundation of the Black/Jewish Alliance being created now with Warren Salmon, Darren Slavens, Darci Richler and others. 

Insatiable curiosity and a thirst for learning has led them to learn more about Judaism. Recently they’ve learned more about the depth of antisemitism and Jew-hatred in Canada and Asa  result, are now working with various Jewish organizations, including U.J.A., B’nai Brith Canada, Hasbara Canada, ISGAP (with Dennis Bennie), Stand With Us, and Simon Weisenthal Centre to help combat this pervasive evil. 

Presently, they are working on a dynamic and exciting event with Hasbara Canada, which helps young Jewish students deal with Jew hatred on campus. Called the “Golda Globes”, the boys will be the chairs of this first annual event taking place this June when young pro -Israel and pro-Jewish activists from Canadian high schools, colleges and universities will be lauded and acknowledged; it will include musical entertainment, exciting guest speakers and many surprises. 

The Magen Boys were honed by the tough times of their youth; they learned the value of hard work, commitment, focus and dedication. They are inherent survivors who have true humility, a positive attitude and an overwhelming sense of gratitude that speaks volumes of their inherent decency.

What’s next for these two? They have created a video game, are looking to produce documentaries and films focused on Jewish topics, doing concerts and are working on a range of start -ups. Their entrepreneurial spirit never dims. And of course (post-pandemic) we are looking forward to Magen Boy parties in the future!