When you make a gift to Federation’s Annual Campaign you are improving life in your community. Here some examples of how your gift empowers meaningful Jewish experiences, builds community, supports Jewish education, and cares for the most vulnerable.

 

636 children receive a Jewish education 
Your gift supports Jewish education. The five supplementary schools receive a total of $105,473 in operating funding supporting 350 students. The two day schools receive $797,566 each year in operating funds, supporting 286 students.
 
PJ Library
Your gift helps support the PJ Library program, an important on-ramp on to the Jewish Superhighway. More than 800 children receive PJ Library books across the Ottawa area. This past year, we welcomed 209 new children to the program. Since its inception in Ottawa in May 2011, PJ has served more than 2,000 children and 1,300 families - this equals 88,895 individual books shipped 
 

Engagement
The Federation's annual allocation of $164,100 supports 15 diverse educational and engagement programs, reaching over 10,000 participants across the Jewish community of Ottawa. This investment spans initiatives serving all demographic groups - from social programs for seniors to scholarship funds for youth. The Federation's versatile portfolio of funded programs reflects its commitment to cultivating a vibrant, inclusive Jewish community. 

 

J-Fellows
J-Fellows, a flagship Federation leadership program for young professionals, selected 13 participants in 2023 and 16 in 2024. These emerging leaders were given the opportunity to develop valuable skills, enhance their leadership abilities, and make meaningful contributions to both their workplaces and the community, all while being mentored by professionals in their chosen fields.

 

 

Ensuring Access
to Jewish Life

The Federation's generous financial support of $1,864,294 provides a critical lifeline to the core institutions that sustain Jewish life in our community. This investment ensures Hillel Lodge, Tamir, and Jewish Family Services can maintain stable operational budgets, allowing them to continue delivering essential programs and services that enrich the lives of Jewish individuals and families. By buttressing these primary pillars of our vibrant Jewish ecosystem, the Federation reaffirms its unwavering commitment to preserving and strengthening the fabric of Jewish community. 

Tuition Incentive Program 
“A Place for Everyone” is Federation’s supplementary School tuition incentive program, which offers two years of tuition reduction for first time families and is open to all families raising Jewish children. 


The program is flourishing, with 71 first-time students enrolled across five schools - representing a 22% increase in supplementary school enrollment overall.   
 

 

 

Holocaust Education
This year the Shoah Committee partnered with the Atlantic Canada Holocaust Foundation, to bring an interactive Holocaust education exhibit to high school students in Ottawa. Six public high schools sent over 400 students to experience the interactive Holocaust education program, which included a talk by a local Rabbi, and Q&A period with a survivor. Additionally, educators and administrators from both local school boards were invited to view the exhibit on display and integrate this teaching tool in their own schools.  

 

Combatting Antisemitism
Through Advocacy, Education

A safe and secure community: Your gift supports our advocacy work as Federation strives to ensure that Jewish students enjoy safe and secure learning environments in public schools, on universty campuses and online. 


Federation works closely with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board at all levels: board trustees, senior board administration, board equity team, school principals, educators. We have consulted with Jewish parents and advocated for their concerns, whether on individual incidents or board-wide issues. We support the board regarding policies on religious accommodation, antisemitic harassment, Holocaust education, antisemitism education and professional development.

In collaboration with Federation’s Antisemitism Specialist, Hillel Ottawa staff regularly engage with university administrators and campus security at uOttawa, Carleton, and Algonquin to prioritize the safety of Jewish students and promptly address acts of antisemitism. 

In recent months, your support has allowed Hillel Ottawa to create a student-faculty mentorship program, “AllyU.” This program fosters relationship building between Jewish faculty, students, and their allies. Additionally, since October 7, Hillel has ensured that Jewish students on campus have access to free personal therapy and weekly group sessions with Jewish mental health counselors. This is in addition to the regular Shabbos meals and weekly programming that takes place. 


 

67 MicroGRANTS
Since July 2023, the Federation has proudly backed 67 microgrant events, allocating more than $120,000 to empower organizations to bring creative initiatives to life. These initiatives have strengthened Jewish identity, inspired engagement, and broadened our community’s reach across the National Capital Region. 


 
Innovative Capacity Building Fund
The Federation's Innovative Capacity Building Fund bolsters the organizational agility and resilience of local Jewish institutions. This year, the Federation has awarded $58,000 to 10 organizations, empowering them to innovate, adapt, and strengthen their operations.  

Through this fund, the Federation supports professional development initiatives, strategic planning, and other change management projects that equip these vital community organizations to navigate new realities and better serve evolving needs. By investing in the long-term health and adaptability of these institutions, the Federation ensures they maintain the robust capacity required to preserve and enhance Jewish life in our region.  

Far-reaching Impact

Our Jewish Journeys Community Impact Grant, of $75,000, has supported four local organizations in creating innovative Jewish engagement programs for all sectors of our community – from toddlers to seniors. For example, Hillel Lodge launched a two-year pilot called the “Java Project” to address social isolation and loneliness. Meanwhile, HaKibbutz, a Hebrew-language weekly youth program, continues to foster and enrich Israeli culture and community in Ottawa. 


1150 meals to-go

Your gift helped Hillel Ottawa and Chabad Student Network provide more than 1150 meals to-go for university students on Ottawa’s campuses for Shabbat and the Jewish holidays last school year.

 

4000+ readers

Your gift allows Federation to run specialized programs and initiatives that support meaningful Jewish experiences and connections: more than 4,000 people receive the Federation’s Ottawa Jewish E-Bulletin electronic newsletter, which helps them stay informed and connected to Jewish Ottawa.
 

 

Security enhancements
 

In response to rising antisemitism and security threats facing Jewish institutions in Canada, the Federation has stepped up to fortify community safety. To help organizations access available government funding for security infrastructure - which only covers up to 50% of costs - the Federation offers matching grants. This year, the Federation has provided over $50,000 to six eligible organizations, ensuring they can implement the robust security measures needed to safeguard their facilities and members. 
  
By bridging the funding gap, the Federation's proactive approach enables local Jewish institutions to fully capitalize on government security programs and maintain a safe, protected environment. This critical investment underscores the Federation's unwavering commitment to shielding the community from harm and preserving its ability to thrive.