Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation

The Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation (OJCF) is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and sustaining the Jewish community in Ottawa. Established in 1971, the foundation’s mission focuses on enhancing the quality of life for Jewish people in the Ottawa region, as well as contributing to Jewish communities in North America and Israel.

History

The foundation was founded on November 19, 1971, by a group of visionary community leaders who recognized the necessity of securing the financial future of Ottawa's Jewish community. Key founding members included Bernard Shinder, Gilbert Greenberg, and Hy Hochberg, alongside the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, formerly known as the Vaad Ha’Ir. These founders and the first board of directors laid the groundwork for a financial resource to maintain the community's fiscal stability and safeguard its ongoing vitality.

Notable founders and early leaders were individuals such as Alex Betcherman, Hyman Bessin, Gilbert Greenberg, Hy Harris, David Loeb, and Casey Swedlove, among others. Gilbert Greenberg served as the foundation’s first president, and Casey Swedlove volunteered as Executive Director for over twenty years, instrumental in fundraising and community engagement.

Purpose and Activities

The Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation works collaboratively with donors to invest in the community’s future, focusing on Jewish causes and initiatives that improve community well-being and continuity. Its charitable work includes supporting local organizations, including long-term care facilities like the Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge, which serves Ottawa's Jewish seniors with culturally sensitive care.

Over the decades, OJCF has become an essential institution for philanthropy and community development, ensuring that the Jewish community’s needs are met sustainably. Its contributions have helped preserve cultural traditions, provide social services, and offer financial aid to various initiatives locally and beyond.

Impact

The foundation has played a central role in strengthening Ottawa’s Jewish community infrastructure. For example, it has allocated substantial funding—over $1.5 million in recent years—to support the Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge, the city’s unique long-term care home offering services within a traditional Jewish environment. This support is vital for maintaining a safe, culturally rich environment for seniors.

Celebrating over 50 years of service, the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation continues to be a vital philanthropic leader, protecting and nurturing the community’s future amid evolving challenges.

Business Registration Number: 136729142RR0001
Website: ojcf.ca

(Information compiled from the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation official history and community impact reports)[1][2][3][5]

[1] https://www.ojcf.ca/about-ojcf/our-history-and-our-founders [2] https://www.ojcf.ca/about-ojcf/who-we-are-and-what-we-do [3] https://cdn.fedweb.org/fed-10/2/Foundation%2520Primer_4.pdf [4] https://www.jewishottawa.com/history-of-the-jewish-federation-of-ottawa [5] https://www.ottawajewishbulletin.com/voices/hillel-lodge-the-funding-from-the-foundation-helps-us-in-everything-we-do