About the Jewish Federation of Ottawa
The Jewish Federation of Ottawa works to build a vibrant, secure and flourishing Jewish community where people can connect, contribute and build their lives. For more than 90 years, Federation has played a central role in Jewish communal life in Ottawa. Today, that role is evolving to meet the needs of a community that is increasingly diverse, multigenerational and geographically dispersed.
We bring people and organizations together, help turn community priorities into collective action, connect people with Jewish life and one another, develop leaders and philanthropists, strengthen our community's institutions, advocate for Jewish Ottawa and Israel, and mobilize our community in times of challenge.
At the heart of our work is a simple belief: we can achieve more together.
Mission:
We strengthen and amplify Jewish life in Ottawa through coordinated community building strategy and philanthropic efforts that invest in our shared future. We empower community members to find authentic connections to Jewish life while uniting diverse voices and organizations to amplify priorities and influence.
Vision:
A vibrant, secure and flourishing multigenerational Jewish community that fosters belonging in our diverse community and inspires people to connect, invest and build their lives in Ottawa.
Our Role: Catalyze. Convene. Connect.
Jewish Ottawa is strongest when our organizations can focus on what they do best, supported by strong community-wide coordination, leadership and resources.
Federation has a unique role in seeing the bigger picture, identifying shared needs and opportunities, bringing the right people and organizations together, and helping turn ideas into action.
Catalyze
We help move ideas and community priorities forward.
Federation provides vision, leadership and resources to help address community needs, strengthen organizations and create new opportunities for Jewish life. We invest strategically, encourage innovation and help initiatives grow where collective action can make a greater difference.
Convene
We bring people and organizations together to accomplish more.
Some challenges and opportunities are bigger than any one organization. Federation brings together community leaders, organizations, donors, volunteers and partners to share knowledge, coordinate efforts and develop solutions.
Connect
We connect people to Jewish life, resources and one another.
We want every member of our diverse community to be able to find meaningful and authentic connections to Jewish life. Federation helps create pathways to participation, relationships, resources and opportunities — in Ottawa, in Israel and throughout the Jewish world.
Our Strategic Priorities
Our 2025–2030 Strategic Plan was shaped by the voices of more than 1,000 community members and provides a roadmap for Federation's work over the next five years.
It focuses on four interconnected priorities:
Enabling our community to achieve more together
We are sharpening Federation's distinct role and value, strengthening collaboration and ensuring people understand how Federation helps build Jewish Ottawa.
Building a culture of giving for all ages and stages
Giving is about more than financial contributions. We are creating opportunities for people to invest their time, leadership, expertise and philanthropy in our shared Jewish future.
Providing cohesive leadership and responsive support in times of challenge
Federation brings community-wide leadership to complex issues that require collective action — including antisemitism, advocacy, Israel engagement, community security, demographic change and the long-term strength of Jewish infrastructure.
Strengthening our organization to better serve our community
Strong community leadership requires a strong Federation. We are investing in our people, systems, technology, culture and accountability so that we can provide the level of service and leadership our community deserves.
What Guides Us
Our approach is grounded in four principles:
A Commitment to Jewish Peoplehood
We honour the many expressions of Jewish identity while celebrating the bonds that unite Jews across geographical, cultural, ideological and spiritual boundaries.
Our commitment to Jewish peoplehood connects us with Jews in Ottawa, Israel and around the world. We show up for one another, particularly in times of crisis or need.
We are committed to Zionism, the Jewish people's right to self-determination in our ancestral homeland, and to fostering a vibrant and multifaceted relationship between Ottawa and Israel.
People and Relationships Build an Exceptional Community
Community begins with relationships. We strive to create meaningful connections in which people feel seen, valued and an essential part of our shared story.
We measure our success not simply by participation, but by the relationships we build, the belonging we nurture and the people who choose to become long-term partners in our shared Jewish future.
Shared Responsibility Enables Collective Impact
A strong Jewish community is something we build together.
People contribute in different ways, through philanthropy, volunteering, leadership, expertise, advocacy and acts of care. Our collective strength comes from that shared sense of responsibility for one another and for the future of Jewish Ottawa.
Thoughtful Stewardship Connects Generations
We are temporary caretakers of community assets built over generations.
We have a responsibility to use those resources thoughtfully, meeting the needs of Jewish Ottawa today while safeguarding and strengthening our community for those who will come after us.
Building Jewish Ottawa's Future
Our community is changing, and Federation is changing with it.
We are listening, learning and building new ways to engage a diverse and geographically dispersed Jewish population. We are strengthening partnerships among Jewish organizations, developing the next generation of leaders and philanthropists, responding collectively to challenges and creating more opportunities for people to find their place in Jewish life.