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IT'S MOMENTS LIKE THIS

Advocacy impact in the schools: 

"Thank you for taking the time to support our students and to address this critical topic [antisemitism]. We appreciate your support." - St. Francis Xavier H.S. staff and students 

 

"Our commitment to responding to antisemitism and addressing the impacts will be strengthened as we continue to learn with our families and staff about their experiences. I recognize the need for continued discussion and collaboration and am grateful for your offer to participate in conversation about how we approach this work." - Mary Jane Farrish, OCDSB Superintendent of Equity and Human Rights 

 

Advocacy and community relations: 

  • Advocacy meetings were held at every political level: with MPs, MPPs, mayor, city councillors, as well as school board trustees 
  • Political leaders, as well as school trustees and leaders, joined community events, including Pride Shabbat, Chanukah party, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Israeli flag-raising at City Hall, and Jewish Heritage Month event 
  • Roundtable talks with mayoral candidates and surveys of candidates for council 
  • Relationship building with other minority groups 

 

Events in support of Jewish community 

  • Jewish identity and pride were celebrated at several events with guest speaker, antisemitism expert Ben Freeman 
  • Fighting antisemitism workshops held for graduating Ottawa Jewish Community School students; Kehillat Beth Israel youth groups and congregation; and March of the Living participants  
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COUNTERING ANTISEMITISM


Federation has increased our efforts in the realm of advocacy and countering antisemitism. From hiring additional advocacy staff to approving $50,000 in strategic funding to further support advocacy efforts, Federation is ensuring a safe space for everyone to participate in Jewish life. 


The most recent success of our advocacy was the hiring of a Jewish equity coach at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB).
 
In addition, Federation’s advocacy partner, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, (CIJA), is at the forefront of the countering antisemitism, making sure Jewish voices are heard at all levels of government. Currently, Federation is partnering with CIJA for a fall antisemitism conference, Face It Fight It. which is the launch of a sustained campaign to push back against antisemitism.
 
Federation has also hosted and facilitated antisemitism workshops and speakers with resources for young people. Other education initiatives, supported by our Shoah Committee and such community partners as the Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship (CHES), included specialized programming to teach about the legacy of the Holocaust in the broader Ottawa community.
 
Meanwhile, Federation provides security to our agencies with matching grants as part of the Security Infrastructure Program (SIP) and we are part of the Jewish Federations of North America’s LiveSecure security campaign to ensure the safety and resiliency of all Jewish communities across North America.
 
 

A gift to the Annual Campaign provides the training, tools, and resources needed to keep Jewish Ottawa vibrant and safe.