Mark Berlin: 'I will no longer be the silent Jew.'

July 16, 2026 • Jewish Federation of Ottawa

Ottawa's Mark Berlin on resigning from

the Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Human rights expert and former public servant Mark Berlin recently, and very publicly, resigned from his role as member of the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Being the only Jew left on the board, Berlin didn't take the decision lightly, but knew that his voice and expertise were no longer being heard when the museum decided to go ahead with its controversial exhibit Palestine Uprooted: Nakba Past and Present.

Federation celebrates recipients of Community Service Award winners at AGM

The Jewish Federation of Ottawa recently honoured three community members with Community Service Awards at its Annual General Meeting in June. The award recipients are some of the many people in Jewish Ottawa who serve their community day in and day out. Here, they share why they get involved, what receiving the award means to them, and why the work they do is so personally meaningful.

Jewish Canadians asked to reflect

on what it means to be Jewish in Canada

What does it mean to be Jewish in Canada? That's what Joshua Tapper and Jesse Toufexis from the Association of Canadian Jewish Studies (ACJS) are hoping to uncover with the Canadian Jewish Life Writing Project. Open until the end of October this year, the project is looking for people to write about their experiences growing up Jewish in Canada. Submissions will be archived and available to view online for future generations.

Ottawa's Maccabiah legacy continues with Bill Izso's lifetime achievement honour

The Maccabiah Games, often called the “Jewish Olympics,” bring together athletes from around the world to compete in Israel while strengthening Jewish identity and connection. This year, Ottawa’s Bill Izso was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for nearly five decades of dedication to the Maccabiah movement, from athlete and coach to leader and volunteer.

New summer program helps students

stay connected to Jewish education

The Ottawa Modern Jewish School's (OMJS) new Shemesh summer learning program provides a unique opportunity for kids in senior kindergarten and Grade 1 to continue learning over the summer. A critical age for retaining new concepts, the Shemesh program will be a space for students to continue their Hebrew education in a more relaxed, summer camp-style atmosphere.

Marking life's milestones

The Board of Directors of the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation acknowledges with thanks contributions to the following funds as of July 2, 2026.

Click here to view fund contributions