Twice a month, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa shares a Shabbat greeting from a member of our Board of Directors. This Friday, we are pleased to share this personal message from SuYun Geithner.

Dear community members,

As we prepare to enter Shabbat and look ahead to the start of Purim next week, I find myself reflecting on how this season aligns so well with the Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s mission: to care for the vulnerable, deepen engagement in Jewish life, and strengthen Jewish identity and community. These guiding principles sit at the heart of what we do every day, and they resonate profoundly with my own Jewish story.

As an adult convert to Judaism, my path into Jewish life was one of intentionality, curiosity, and love. I chose Judaism because it spoke to my values, my spirit, and my sense of purpose. But as meaningful as the learning was, what truly made my Jewish identity take root was belonging — walking into a community where I felt welcomed, supported, and invited to bring my full self. Every time I sit around our family’s Shabbat table, support our children’s summer camp, or engage in communal work through Federation, I am reminded that Jewish peoplehood is something expansive enough to hold each of us, including those who arrive through different doors.

My family — multiracial, multicultural, and proudly Jewish — embodies a truth our community is increasingly embracing: diversity is not something we simply acknowledge; it is something we celebrate. It reflects the reality of Jewish life today and the vibrancy of the Jewish future we are building together. And yet, beyond diversity lies something even more precious: the sense that we all belong here. Not as guests. Not as exceptions. But as an integral part of the fabric of Jewish communal life.

The month of Adar invites us to increase our joy, and Purim reminds us that joy is not just an emotion — it is an act of resilience and community. The Purim story teaches us about identity, courage, and collective responsibility. Esther’s bravery mattered not only because of who she was, but because she stood connected to her people. Purim commands us to share gifts, support the vulnerable, rejoice together, and strengthen communal bonds. In other words, Purim is Federation’s mission in festive form. (View the community calendar of Purim events here.)

As a Federation Board member, I’m proud that our community’s work reflects these values every day — not only during Adar. We build programs that bring people in, regardless of background or entry point. We support families of all shapes and stories. We invest in education, culture, security, and care. And we strive to create a Jewish community where every person can say, with confidence and joy, “I belong.”

This Shabbat, as candles are lit and blessings are spoken, may we each feel embraced by the warmth of community. May the spirit of Adar open our hearts to joy that is deep, inclusive, and shared. And as Purim approaches, may we carry forward the message that our strength lies in standing together — with compassion, with courage, and with the conviction that every member of our community has a place.

Shabbat Shalom, and may the joy of Adar uplift us all.

SuYun Geithner,
Jewish Federation of Ottawa Board member