The Jewish Federation of Ottawa is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing and promoting an exceptional quality of Jewish life in the Ottawa region. Established as a central fundraising and community planning body, the Federation plays a vital role in supporting Jewish individuals, families, and institutions locally, nationally, and internationally.

Mission and Vision

The Federation's mission is to advance and promote an exceptional quality of Jewish life. Its vision is to foster a thriving Jewish community in Ottawa that is inclusive, accessible, educated, and engaged. The organization translates Jewish values into social action through four key pillars:

• Building community
• Educating Jewishly
• Helping the vulnerable
• Supporting Israel

Core Values and Principles

The Jewish Federation of Ottawa is guided by foundational Jewish values such as Torah, chesed (loving-kindness), k’lal Yisrael (Jewish peoplehood), tzedakah (philanthropic giving), and tikkun olam (repairing the world). It also maintains an enduring affinity and support for the Jewish State of Israel.

Its corporate principles emphasize collaboration and partnership, care, acceptance and respect for every individual, as well as transparency and accountability in its operations.

Activities and Impact

Through its Annual Campaign and collaborative community planning, the Federation raises and allocates funds that provide life-saving, life-changing, and life-enhancing experiences for Jews in Ottawa and around the globe. Historically, Jewish federations, including Ottawa's, have been instrumental in rescuing persecuted Jews worldwide and supporting the development and security of Israel.

The Federation has also played a significant role in human rights activism, exemplified by its Ottawa Committee for Soviet Jewry, which was active in the 1970s and 1980s advocating for the freedom of Soviet Jews to emigrate and protesting antisemitic policies in the Soviet Union.

Historical Context

Marking its legacy stretching back nearly a century, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa is commemorating its 90th anniversary, highlighting its enduring commitment to communal support, advocacy, and philanthropy.

The Federation operates alongside other local Jewish institutions such as the Ottawa Jewish Historical Society and Jewish Family Services of Ottawa, contributing to the preservation of Jewish heritage and the provision of social services in the region.

This nonprofit organization is registered under business number 833229743RR0001 and continues to be a cornerstone institution in Ottawa’s Jewish communal life.

[1] https://www.jewishottawa.com/wwwjewishottawacom/about-us [2] https://www.jewishottawa.com/a-brief-history-of-the-federation-system [3] https://www.ojhs.ca/history [4] https://www.ottawajewishbulletin.com/jewish-ottawa/federation-plays-historic-role-in-defending-jews-worldwide [5] https://www.networkjhsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/JFS-Ottawa-ED.pdf