Dear Friends,

Looking back on this whirlwind year since I joined Hillel Ottawa in November, I can't help but feel amazed by what we've built together in such a short time.

I truly feel privileged to guide and empower our community's' passions and ideas.

I have been struck by just how much bravery, heart and intention students bring to Jewish life on campus - it's honestly inspiring.

Through our 1,500+ student participations this year, we've created something special: a community filled with Jewish joy and belonging- a place where real connections happen.

One of my goals coming in was to help build fresh, unique ways for students to engage with their Jewish identity and community. Some of these new touchpoints have become real highlights of my year, and I'm excited to share a few of our successes with you.

Celebrating Jewish Diversity Through Food

Mexican Flavours Cooking Class and Persian Cuisine at the Hillel House

One of the ways we've been bringing variety and new perspectives into the Hillel House is through our cooking events, and they've become such a hit with our students! We've been engaging our local community through food, exploring different cuisines and learning about diverse culinary traditions across the Jewish diaspora.

The dinners have been delicious and well-attended, thanks to incredible community members like Jana Jinich, Jaqui Gezund and Tina Ahava Azarin who shared their expertise and passion with our students. We have plans for at least three more cooking events in the months to come, each touching on different aspects of our local community.

Building Community Through Local Partnerships

Hillel Students joined by Jewish Ottawa Young Adults celebrate Lag BaOmer, May, 2025

A partnership that's been particularly impactful to see evolve is our collaboration with the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's Young Adult community. We've hosted two graduate student events at Maclarens on Elgin and Manor Lounge, volunteered together at the Ottawa Kosher Food Bank, and celebrated Lag BaOmer with a community-wide bonfire.

These collaborations have been incredible for bridging the gap between student and professional life, connecting our aspiring and new professionals with Jewish professionals in the area who are just a few steps ahead in their careers.

This year we've built and sustained 27 partnerships across our 85+ events - everything from local synagogues to the Israeli Embassy, to local clubs like Zula (Young Israelis of Ottawa), InterVarsity and The Navigators.

It's been really exciting to watch how these partnership events have integrated our community with the greater Ottawa Jewish community in meaningful and fun ways.

Tu BiShvat Event with His Excellency Iddo Moed, Israel's Ambassador to Canada, February 2025

Student Leadership Development

One of the things that excites me most is watching our students step into leadership roles and really own their vision for Jewish life on campus! We facilitated a student leadership retreat at Restays Hotel with Paige Simonek from Hillel International and expanded our executive committee by introducing new roles that better match what our students are passionate about.

We've implemented new strategies and organizational methods including regular check-ins, student-led monthly meetings, and campus outreach to better support and build our community through advocacy and engagement.

Our students are now leading initiatives in everything from tabling and event planning to peer mentorship, Israel advocacy, and Jewish programming.

Seeing them bring their own ideas to life and develop their leadership skills has really filled me with hope for the future and what we can accomplish next semester.

Student Executive Leadership Retreat at reStays Hotel, March 2025,

Interfaith Leadership & Dialogue

This year, we led eight interfaith programs — including two Shabbat dinners, one of which was a Friday night dinner with Allied Voices for Israel that brought together over 120 students and faculty. We also launched collaborative interfaith panels and advocacy efforts focused on combating antisemitism and building bridges across difference.

One of the most meaningful experiences for me was co-facilitating a grassroots initiative with Ben Stone, a recent graduate from the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Education. We built this whole thing from the ground up, offering local Jewish Hillel students who grew up in Ottawa-Carleton District School Board schools — some with difficult experiences with antisemitism — the chance to share their stories with future educators.

Hearing them speak honestly about their experiences — what it meant to be Jewish in those classrooms, what they wished had been different, and their hopes for inclusive education — was genuinely moving. We plan to continue this initiative this coming year.

Shabbat dinner with Hillel and uOttawa Faculty of Education students, March 2025

Surpassed Fundraising Goals

This year's Hillel Global Giving campaign was incredible — we raised $25,000, completely surpassing our goals! Thanks to strategic planning and amazing student volunteers, we blew past our expectations. Seeing what these dollars accomplish and knowing we can keep building on this momentum gives me so much hope for next year.

Student Volunteers making fundraising calls for Hillel Global Giving Week, May 2025

Looking Ahead to Summer...

Over the summer, Jamie and I are available if you'd like to chat about your ideas, what we're working on, or just to connect — coffee is on us!

We'd also love to see you at our upcoming summer events — like our Shavuot Flower Arranging Class (expect some dairy deliciousness!), our Ottawa Bike Tour and Canoeing at Dow's Lake in mid July. Sign up through the links below!

And if you're a student, please reach out to join our "Summer Crew" WhatsApp group to stay connected.

Thank you for being part of this amazing journey with us. Your support, partnership, and friendship really mean the world to me as we keep building this vibrant Jewish community together.

With so much gratitude and anticipation for what's ahead,

Shira Stolzman,

Student Engagement and Advocacy Coordinator, Hillel Ottawa