Microgrants make your ideas become a reality

September 24, 2026 • Jewish Federation of Ottawa

Creating new ways to connect through Microgrants

From bilingual tennis lessons to community-wide challah bakes, Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s Microgrants are helping turn grassroots ideas into meaningful Jewish experiences. In 2025, Federation distributed approximately $100,000 through the program, supporting 58 events and initiatives. Learn how community members are using Microgrants to create new opportunities for connection, engagement, and Jewish life across Ottawa.

613Archives podcast to be relaunched

this November

The Ottawa Jewish Archives and the Ottawa Jewish E-Bulletin are teaming up to relaunch 613Archives, a podcast exploring the artifacts, people and stories that have shaped Jewish Ottawa. Archivist Teigan Goldsmith Hitsman and E-Bulletin writer Ethan Rode will co-host the revamped series, connecting fascinating pieces of the Archives’ collection to the present day and bringing community history to life.

At 100 years old,
Max Sternthal is still singing

Max Sternthal, who turned 100 on Wednesday, is still sharing his love of music with the Ottawa community. From discovering his voice in Montreal to becoming Temple Israel’s first cantor and performing with the Sunset Singers community choir, Sternthal has spent nearly nine decades singing. His musical legacy also includes teaching about the Holocaust and preserving its memory through music.

Mega Challah Bake builds intergenerational connections

With support from a Jewish Federation of Ottawa Microgrant, the Ottawa Torah Centre’s Mega Challah Bake brought women together ahead of Rosh Hashanah. The event combined a beloved Jewish tradition with music, entertainment and opportunities to connect, creating an intergenerational gathering that made Jewish community accessible, welcoming and meaningful for participants.

Local historian spearheads campaign

to honour Ottawa's first Jewish clergy

As Ottawa marks its 200th anniversary, historian David C. Martin is working to ensure the city’s early Jewish history is remembered. He is advocating for a public space in Lowertown to be named in honour of Jacob Mirsky, a foundational Jewish community leader who helped connect generations of Jewish residents and newcomers. Martin is seeking community support for his proposal.

Marking life's milestones

The Board of Directors of the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation acknowledges with thanks the contributions to the following funds as of September 17, 2026.

Click here to view fund contributions