Dear Chaverim, 


As we welcome Shabbat, I’ve been reflecting on the latest edition of the Ottawa Jewish E-Bulletin, which was emailed out yesterday and includes several poignant stories that together paint a powerful picture of Jewish Ottawa: who we are, what we value, and how we show up for one another. 

Taken together, these stories reflect Federation’s leadership efforts as a catalyzer, convener, and connector in our community. 

We begin with a story that speaks to the heart of who we strive to be. February marks Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM), a time that calls on all of us to help build a Jewish community where everyone belongs. This top story outlines Federation’s work and how through film screenings, learning opportunities, and behind-the-scenes work to improve accessibility, Federation is helping catalyze meaningful change. JDAIM reminds us that inclusion is not a one-month initiative, but a shared responsibility that strengthens our community year-round. To learn more and access resources on disability, inclusion, and belonging, please visit our JDAIM resource page here.

The E-Bulletin also features a powerful personal reflection, “Between Three Homes: An Iranian Jewish perspective,” by Tina Ahava Azarin, who shares what it means to hold multiple identities at once as an Iranian Jew, a proud Canadian, and someone currently in Israel. Her essay invites us to sit with complexity, to listen deeply, and to lead with empathy. By creating space for voices like Tina’s, Federation helps convene our community around honest conversation, thoughtful reflection, and mutual respect, even in moments of global uncertainty. Read more here.

As we hold compassion for those suffering in Iran, I also want to call attention to CIJA’s latest action alert calling on the Canadian government to stand with the Iranian people and to advance accountability, justice, and human dignity. Advocacy is part of how we live our values, by speaking out when silence is not an option and by standing alongside those whose voices are being suppressed. Join the action alert here.

That sense of connection is echoed in another story that began unexpectedly, with a simple email from Israel asking about baby blankets that had arrived from Ottawa. What followed was a reminder of how quietly powerful our community connections can be. For years, volunteers at Temple Israel, led by Merle Haltrecht-Matte, have been lovingly creating quilts that find their way to children and families across Israel. When Israeli volunteers in Zikhron Ya’akov noticed the tags on the blankets and reached out to learn more, Federation was able to help close the circle. These blankets, described as “a hug from Canada,” became more than acts of kindness. They sparked a new relationship between volunteers on both sides of the ocean, turning care, curiosity, and craftsmanship into a living bridge between our communities. Read more here.

Stories like this remind us that meaningful change often begins with a simple act. That idea lies at the heart of this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Beshalach, which includes the story of the parting of the Red Sea. Many of us will know the story — as the Israelites fled Egypt, Pharoah had second thoughts and sent his army after them. With the Red Sea in front of their path, the situation seemed hopeless for the Israelites. A midrash (interpretation) of that story suggests that while Moses was told by G-d to raise his staff to part the sea for them to travel through, it was the faithful act of Nachshon Ben Aminadav that made him the hero and leader in that moment. Even before the sea parted, Nachshon marched forward, immersing himself in the waters. Only then, and with Moses raising his staff, did the waters part. It took that moment, that act of faith and belief, to make the miracle happen. Each of us can find moments to act with conviction and faith, to move forward despite challenging odds. There are times when a first step is all that is needed to begin a meaningful journey, and I encourage us all to find opportunities to take those bold first steps. 

Shabbat offers us a pause, a moment to remove ourselves from the noise of the week and reconnect with what matters most. The stories above remind us that Jewish Ottawa, like Nachshon, is at its strongest when we act with purpose and compassion, building a community that is truly Here for Good. 

Shabbat Shalom, 

Adam