Mia Kirshner

Kirshner in 2009, photo by s_bukley/Bigstock.com

Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Date of Birth: January 25, 1975

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish, Sephardi Jewish

Mia Kirshner is a Canadian actress, writer, and activist. She is known for her roles in the films Exotica and Not Another Teen Movie, and on the series The L Word and Star Trek: Discovery.

Mia’s father, Sheldon Kirshner, is a journalist for the Canadian Jewish News. Sheldon was born in a displaced persons camp in Bad Reichenhall, Germany, the son of Polish Jews who survived the Holocaust. Mia’s mother, Etti, is a Bulgarian Jew. Bulgarian Jews are considered Sephardi. Her parents met in Israel.

Mia’s paternal grandfather was named David Kirzner/Kirshner. David was born in Łódź, Łódź Voivodeship, Poland. He fought with the Polish Army when Germany invaded the country in 1939. He spent most of the war in the Łódź Ghetto.

Mia’s paternal grandmother was named Genya/Jean. She lost her first son in Auschwitz.

Mia’s maternal grandmother was named Reni Lazarov.

Sources: Genealogy of Mia Kirshner (focusing on her father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Obituary of Mia’s paternal grandmother, Genya/Jean Kirshner – https://steelesmemorialchapel.com