Dear Fellow Community Members,
Jewish Federation of Winnipeg is a part of an important network that enables our community to have a voice in issues of interest on a local, national and international level and to work collectively to strengthen the Canada-Israel relationship. Partnerships with organizations such as Jewish Federations of Canada – United Israel Appeal (JFC-UIA) and the Center for Jewish & Israel Affairs (CIJA) offer our community an opportunity to share and benefit from a wealth of information and knowledge that strengthen our capacity to meet challenges that other Jewish communities also face.
Over the past few weeks, visiting representatives from these organizations have met with lay people and professionals from our different Jewish organizations to share their expertise and update us on important developments. Martin Sampson, Direct of Communications for CIJA spoke to various community members on a variety of subjects including that of Genetic Discrimination which is just one of the many advocacy projects that CIJA undertakes on behalf of our community and Canadians in general.
Linda Kislowicz, Executive Director of JFC-UIA, was joined by her national chair, Ralph Shedletsky on a visit to discuss various projects including the Israel Partnership (Partnership 2Gether) which is coordinated through JFC and includes the student exchange trip to Israel through Gray Academy of Jewish Education, as well as Taglit Birthright Israel and the March of the Living program.
Other visits included Adam Cohen, CIJA’s Director of Security, who came to advise Federation and a number of our local institutions on best practices and procedures to meet current security challenges.
CIJA’s CEO Shimon Fogel along with senior lay leader Joel Reitman, also met with community leadership and participated in important discussions with government and other local minority group organizations.
Our national advocacy strategy on issues such as Israel is developed by the people at CIJA, with local coordination via the Community Relations Council. I encourage every member of our community to learn more about both of these important organizations and what they do by going directly to their websites. If anyone has further questions, please email me directly. Winnipeg’s Jewish Federation and community is part of a larger world of Jewish life – Canadian, North American and world-wide, and learning about this larger Jewish world is only a click away!
Last week agency presidents and executive directors met with members of the Federation leadership. The topic of the meeting was how the agencies and Federation could work even more closely in areas such as planning, allocations, marketing, communications and campaign. In only an hour, at least a dozen ideas were discussed that everyone around the table agreed could be implemented to enhance the next Annual Campaign (2015-2016). Federation and agency leadership are working together in a very hands-on manner and are open to new ideas from you, the members of our community. I would like each and every one of you to feel you can email me on a regular basis with your thoughts and concerns. I am pleased to say that from time to time I do receive such emails and I try to respond in a timely fashion. The Federation is your organization, and we want to be as open and transparent as we can.
As has become my practice each month, below is a listing of a number of Federation and local partner agency events taking place in our community during the month of June:
- PJ Library Picnic | Jun 7, 2-4pm | Asper Jewish Community Campus Grounds | Contact Florencia 204.480.7559
- JCFS AGM with guest presenter Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov | Jun 8, 7:30pm with reception to follow | Berney Theatre, 123 Doncaster | For more info contact Al Benarroch 204.477.7433
- "A Journey through the Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter from Antiquity to 1914” Opening Reception | Jun 15, 7pm | 164 Alexander Ave | For more info contact Rhonda 204.477.7424
- Anakhnu/Chofshi (Jewish LGBTT groups) Shabbat Dinner | Jun 12 | Info & to register contact Salo
- Rady JCC 7th Annual Mameloshen | Jun 22, 24 & 29 | Winnipeg Art Gallery | Tickets at www.radyjcc.com or 204.477.7510
- Shalom Baby Shower | Jun 25, 2-3:30pm | Kanee Foyer, Asper Jewish Community Campus | Register with Rena 204.477.7473
- Young Adult Division BBQ (ages 24-45) | Jun 25, 6-10pm | Foundation Garden, Asper Jewish Community Campus | For info & to register contact Lesley 204.477.7407
- Camp Massad Chadar Ochel Dedication | Jun 28, 11am | Camp Massad | Click here for details
- Camp Massad Richard Tapper Memorial Cabin Ribbon Cutting | Jun 28, 2pm | Camp Massad | Click here for details
- Camp Massad Family Day Camp | Jul 1, 10:30am-4:30pm | Register at www.campmassad.ca
