Board Members
Danya Vered
Chair
" I come from a family of proud volunteers, and it has always been easy to say yes to the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. The organization’s impact resonates in every aspect of our Jewish lives, from empowering our community’s most vulnerable, to supporting our youth in learning how to live a Jewish life, to building bridges within the greater Ottawa community to tackle anti-Semitism. I am committed to making an impact both within and for our community, and to helping others find their easy ‘yes’ to Federation and community building."
"I am honoured to join the Federation Board and sit at the table with a dedicated group of volunteers who care so deeply about the community’s well-being. Federation supports the fabric of Ottawa’s Jewish life and I am inspired to contribute to this sacred work. I feel it is our collective responsibility to secure a vibrant, relevant and sustainable Jewish Ottawa for our children and future generations."
Leila Ages
Board of Directors and Annual Campaign Co-chair
"I feel honoured to be part of the board of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, an organization dedicated to advancing and promoting Jewish life in our vibrant city, and to serve alongside such a dedicated group of engaged volunteers. I look forward to making contributions as we work together towards our shared vision of a flourishing Jewish Ottawa."
Joelle Assaraf
Board of Directors
"Volunteering is rooted in my Jewish values and the traditions I grew up with. I grew up surrounded by people giving back, and I’m proud to continue that tradition while setting the same example for my children. I believe a thriving Jewish community is essential—and that we are its caretakers, responsible for maintaining and strengthening it for today and future generations. As VP of Asset Management at Osgoode Properties, I bring deep expertise in organizational development, leadership and change to this work."
Jessica Greenberg
Board of Directors
Quote to come
SuYun Geithner
Board of Directors
"I joined Federation's Board of Directors with clear goals in mind: to help strengthen the safety and security of Jewish Ottawa; to support and expand educational opportunities for our next generation; and to build on my own communal work of the past two decades by contributing to Federation’s noble mission of uniting the diverse groups across our small city in a fuller, more sustainable way, so we can strengthen the Klal as a whole."
Evan Green
Board of Directors
"I am the husband of Ellen Goldbloom and dad to Sam (18), Ben (16), and Rachel (12). My professional background is in real estate development, land use planning and housing construction. I enjoyed volunteering with Camp B’nai Brith of Ottawa for over a decade, assisting the Board with new Capital projects and camp maintenance. I am hoping that I can assist the Board of the Federation and the Campus in these same areas. I am excited to work with a broad range of representatives from our community to help guide good decision making."
Josh Kardish
Board of Directors
"It's far too easy to take for granted the Jewish agencies and Federation services that our families benefit from and rely upon. However, these agencies and services only exist today through the dedication and effort of previous generations of staff and volunteers. It is an honour and a privilege for me to continue this work by serving on the Federation board."
Jeff Laks
Board of Directors
"The Jewish value of “L’dor v’dor”—passing wisdom, tradition, and responsibility from generation to generation—has shaped who I am since childhood. Serving on the Federation board is a privilege. We are a diverse, vibrant Jewish community, living in both rewarding and challenging times. I look forward to working with other Board members to build meaningful connections, support and strengthen our community, and ensure our commitment to Jewish life endures."
Elissa Lieff
Board of Directors
"I am honoured and excited to serve on the Board of Federation. My involvement in the Jewish community as a teenager and young adult fundamentally shaped who I am today, and I want to ensure that everyone can have such opportunities, at all stages of their life. I believe that Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh Bazeh – all jews are responsible for one another, and I am thrilled to be able to contribute to the further strengthening of an already impressive community in Ottawa."
Marina Milyavskaya
Board of Directors
“Federation brings together not only our community and its diverse agencies, but also contributes to the global Jewish community through its support of, and affiliation with, global agencies that provide relief to the vulnerable around the world and invaluable support of Israel and her people. It is an absolute honour to follow in my parents’ footsteps and serve on the Board of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa.”
Gillian Presner
Board of Directors
"My father instilled a simple yet profound philosophy into my life when I was a young child. He told me to plant seeds in my own garden to improve and create beauty in my surroundings. In this way, I would be leaving the world a better place, tying into the Jewish concept of tikkun olam.
In keeping with this, I am honoured to be a part of the Federation board, working alongside a remarkably dedicated group of individuals. I believe strongly in the core values of Federation and its commitment to support and care for every aspect of Jewish life in Ottawa, ensuring that our community remains strong and vibrant for our children and for future generations."
Karen Palayew
Past Chair
"My family has a long history of community involvement and support and their dedication inspired me to volunteer. I am honoured to have the opportunity to serve our Federation and to be involved in the continued success of our community."
Samantha Sigler
Board of Directors
"I am truly humbled to be invited to join the board of the JFO and to follow in the footsteps of many of Ottawa’s Jewish community giants. From an early age, my parents instilled upon me the importance of giving back to the institutions that have given us so much. It is an honour and a privilege to take on a role as a custodian of our community."
Adam Zaret
Board of Directors