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 Jeff Laks.

Dear Friends,

I recently had the opportunity to participate on a Jewish Federation of Ottawa committee tasked with creating a new five-year Strategic Plan for the organization and the community. I was greatly impressed by the significant community involvement in this process whereby close to 1,000 people made the time for interviews, focus groups, surveys and town-halls. One of the key findings from this exercise was a lack of understanding as to the role of Federation. 

Answers ranged from:

• “Is the role of Federation to bring all people together?”
•  “Like the head office and they allocate funds, below them is the JCC and other community programming and orgs.”
• “A funder of the different organizations. They have some programs as well but their primary role is funding.”
•  “Their current mission is finding a way in for everyone into the community regardless of their status.”

Even more disconcerting was that the last five-year strategic plan had identified the same problem and had created actions to address it. Why did these actions fail? I believe the answer is that Federation’s role is diverse and complex. If we view Federation as our community’s precious jewel then this jewel has a multitude of facets that make it shine brightly. However, community members may only see or interact with a small number of facets resulting in an incomplete picture. So how can we address this problem, by recognizing that our jewel has three “C”s (no, not cut, colour, clarity or carat) and communicating them clearly!

Federation is the CATALYZER.

By using its unique expertise, resources, and positioning Federation drives initiatives forward, launching new programs, advocating for systemic change, and addressing urgent needs. This can be seen and felt in the community by: Federation’s ongoing commitment to the funding of key community agencies, so they can provide Jewish programming beyond their secular services, as well as funding of the Microgrants program that supports grass-roots efforts to launch new community programs and events; advocacy work with local politicians, school board officials and non-Jewish allies to fight back against antisemitism; and emergency funding for critical Jewish community resources, such as the Ottawa Kosher Foodbank during the COVID-19 pandemic. Going forward, the Strategic Plan calls for: the expansion of the successful J-Fellows program to develop and train the next generation of community leaders; and the launch of Shabbat Together 613, a program that connects potential hosts and young Jewish adult guests, breaking barriers of geography, Jewish literacy, and inclusion.

Federation is the CONVENER.

By bringing people, partners, and institutions together, Federation builds consensus, strengthens relationships, and co-creates solutions to shared challenges. This can be seen and felt in the community by Federation’s funding of various cross-agency initiatives such as: providing professional development workshops to enhance staff and agency capacity to engage interfaith families and reflect the growing diversity of Jewish Ottawa; creating tuition-incentive programs that ensure low-barrier entry for students across all five Hebrew supplementary schools, and discounts that help families afford both Soloway JCC and synagogue memberships — making Jewish life more accessible; and providing strategic, one-time investments through Federation’s capacity-building fund, to ensure collaboration amongst partner agencies, such as funding the Jewish Family Service’s van that also helps the Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge residents attend community programs. Going forward, the Strategic Plan calls for the creation of three important community councils (Aging and Vitality, Essential Jewish Services, and Grow Jewish Ottawa) that will bring together Federation staff and community professionals from issue-aligned institutions to collaboratively address these current complex challenges facing the community.

Federation is the CONNECTOR.



By linking individuals to resources, Federation helps people navigate and access the multitude of the community’s programs, social services, and other opportunities. This can be seen and felt in the community through: Federation’s newcomer engagement staff, who meet individually and in groups with those new to Ottawa, connecting them to PJ Library families and Get Together grants — creating meaningful entry points into Jewish life.; Federation’s support of Hillel Ottawa staff, so they are equipped to guide students in finding Shabbat dinners, synagogue services, and other Jewish experiences. Going forward, the Strategic Plan calls for: improving community data collection so that staff have more information on who might benefit from available services; and increased Federation resources to ensure Ottawa is connected to it’s partnership region in the North of Israel including employing an Israel Fellow for our Hillel students, and re-engaging our Shinshinim post here in Ottawa.

Of course, none of the above can happen without your ongoing support of Federation’s Annual Campaign. When you receive a call or email from one of Federation’s tireless Annual Campaign canvassers, I encourage you to remember the three “C”s and make a meaningful contribution to the betterment and continuity of our Ottawa Jewish community. You can also make your pledge online. If you have already made your pledge or donation, Todah Rabah!

Shabbat Shalom,

Jeff Laks

P.S. Learn more about the Strategic Plan’s first year goals here.