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The Rabbi Reuven Bulka Shem Tov Community Volunteer Award


This award recognizes an outstanding volunteer for a lifetime of service dedicated to the betterment and enrichment of Jewish life in Ottawa. 

Mazel Tov to our 2025 recipients
Rabbi Reuven Bulka Shem Tov Community Volunteer Award: Esti Fogel
Esti Fogel is the visionary founder of Ten Yad, a grassroots volunteer organization that supports vulnerable members of the Jewish community. For over 16 years, Esti has led efforts to deliver meals, care packages, hospital visits, and personal connection to those in need. Her humility and tireless leadership have mobilized hundreds of volunteers, ensuring no one is left behind.

 

Toby and Yan Fogel 1000 x 1310Mazel Tov to our 2025 recipients
Rabbi Reuven Bulka Shem Tov Community Volunteer Award: Toby and Joel Yan
For more than 30 years, Toby and Joel Yan have brought joy, warmth, and Yiddishkeit to the Ottawa Jewish community. Whether leading Oneg Shabbats and holiday celebrations at the Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge, entertaining and uplifting seniors through AJA 50+ and Creative Connections, or supporting organizations like Jewish Family Services, Tamir, Hadassah-WIZO, and Early Beginnings, the Yans give generously of their time and their hearts.

 

“There are three crowns: the crown of Torah, the crown of priesthood, and the crown of kingship; but the crown of a good name excels them all.”

- Rabbi Shimon


• nominees must be an outstanding and long-serving (minimum 25 years) volunteer in the Ottawa Jewish community, with one or multiple organizations

• must have been active within the past 3 years
• positively impacts Ottawa’s Jewish community
• only volunteer service can be considered
 
 
Nominees must be a member in good standing of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa (minimum gift to the Annual Campaign) and cannot previously have received this award. 
 
To be considered, nominations must include 2 letters of support, including one from a local Jewish organization. The nomination must address the above criteria and describe how the individual’s volunteer work has been sustained and is meaningful.


Questions? Please contact us by email at [email protected]

Past Recipients:

2003   Evelyn Greenberg
2004   Naomi Lipsky Cracower
2005   Hy Bloom
2006   Lily and Jerry Penso
2007   Sam Ages z"l
2008   Mayer Alvo
2009   Estelle Gunner
2010   Blanche Osterer
2011   Morris Kimmel z"l
2012   Issie Scarowsky
2013   Ruth Aaron
2014   Henry Molot
2015   Flo Morgan
2016   Merle Haltrecht-Matte
2017   Hyman Reichstein
2018   Michael Landau
2019   Charles Schachnow
2020   Sharon and David Appotive
2021   Barbara Levinson and Joel Diener
2022   Harold Feder
2023   Sandra Zagon
2024   Sabina Wasserlauf