100 years of community building - The Canadian Jewish News

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SPOTLIGHT

FEDERATION CJA 100 years of community building WRIT TEN BY HELENA MONCRIEFF

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THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS APRIL 13, 2017

Jewish community is part of Montreal’s DNA: Denis Coderre Living together is a balanced approach between openness, meaning we want to keep our way of life, our values, our freedom and make sure that we promote our universal values.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre

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ivalries between Montreal and Toronto are as old as the Habs and the Leafs, so the idea of a joint anything, never mind a trade mission abroad seems unthinkable. The Jewish community changed that. Montreal Mayor, Denis Coderre and Toronto Mayor John Tory set aside debates about Arcade Fire versus Drake to travel with 120 business, academic and community leaders to Israel last fall. That it was the Jewish community and Israel that brought the two cities together isn’t surprising to Coderre. “The Jewish community is part of our DNA,” he says of Montreal. While it’s the 100th anniversary of Federation CJA, the people have been in the city for 250 years. “This is part of our diversity. And if Montreal is so different in a great way, it’s because of living together, our diversity and vibrant Jewish community.” The mayor heard that reflected in Israel. When an affinity for Canada was mentioned, it was because of the strength of the Jewish communities that make Israelis feel that they are part of Montreal and other Canadian cities. “This is what we’re celebrating, the sense of community.” That community can’t be separated from Montreal at large. Coderre thinks of the contributions of the Jewish community that have shaped the city: the Segal Centre and the Jewish General Hospital, for example. And he thinks of the people who are considered great Montrealers:

politician, pediatrician and community bridge builder Victor Goldbloom who recently passed; and musician Leonard Cohen. Cohen’s grandfather, a business tycoon and co-founder of the first Englishlanguage, Jewish-interest newspaper, was one of the early lay leaders of Federation. In the week before Coderre and the delegation left for the Israel and West Bank mission, Cohen died, putting a spotlight on Montreal. Coderre wanted to bring back a Jerusalem rock to place on Cohen’s gravestone and he wanted to recite Kaddish. He was joined by former MP Irwin Cotler, leaders from the Montreal business community and by Jerusalem’s Rabbi Rabinowitz. The rabbi told him Cohen had been a regular visitor and recited a prayer at the Kotel each time he was there. “I’m having goosebumps talk-

ing about it,” Coderre says months later. “Something happened on that trip,” he says, that went beyond signing agreements, creating relationships with universities and with the business community. “There is a bridge between our population and that’s what’s important.” It was a poignant moment in a time when the world may seem unwelcoming. When the Hyper Cacher kosher food market in France was attacked on the heels of the Charlie Hebdo shootings in 2015, Coderre arranged an international summit called Living Together. Mayors from around the world met in Montreal to recognize cities’ roles in promoting social cohesion, providing inclusive and secure living environments and fostering open, diverse and welcoming communities. The first initiative of the summit was

the establishment of a round table on combatting anti-Semitism. Leaders from both the Montreal and Paris Jewish communities are at the roundtable. “For me, living together is a balanced approach between openness, meaning we want to keep our way of life, our values, our freedom and make sure that we promote our universal values and, at the same time, vigilance, so it’s not one over the other.” The Jewish community participates so much in the city, Coderre says. “It is Montreal. It’s not a matter of us and them. It’s all of us.” So as Federation CJA celebrates its 100th anniversary, Canada its 150th anniversary of confederation and Montreal its 375th, Coderre says it’s a moment to remember where we are from, to live our present with our diversity and to define the future. n

The late Leonard Cohen, a musical legend who hailed from Montreal, was the grandson of one of Federation CJA’s early lay leaders.

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La communauté juive fait partie de l’ADN de Montréal: Denis Coderre C’est Montréal. Il n’y pas d’eux et de nous. Il n’y a que nous.

Le maire de Montréal, Denis Coderre, à gauche, et le maire de Toronto, John Tory, signant une entente de coopération avant d’entreprendre une mission en Israël et en Cisjordanie.

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es rivalités entre Montréal et Toronto sont si vieilles – aussi vieilles que leurs équipes de hockey respectives – que l’idée d’un projet conjoint, surtout d’une mission commerciale à l’étranger, paraissait impensable. C’était sans compter sur l’intervention de la communauté juive. L’automne dernier, le maire de Montréal Denis Coderre et son homologue de Toronto, John Tory, ont mis de côté leurs divergences pour accompagner en Israël quelque 120 leaders d’entreprise, figures universitaires et acteurs communautaires. Que ce rapprochement soit à l’initiative de la communauté juive et d’Israël ne surprend pas M. Coderre outre mesure. « La communauté juive fait partie de notre ADN », dit-il de Montréal. En effet, même si la Fédération CJA fête son 100e anniversaire, des Juifs habitent la ville depuis quelque 250 ans. « La communauté juive fait partie de notre diversité. Et si Montréal est si positivement différente, c’est grâce à ceux qui y cohabitent, à sa diversité et à sa communauté juive si dynamique. » Cette image de Montréal se reflète en

Israël, a pu constater M. Coderre. Lorsque des affinités avec le Canada y furent évoquées, elles étaient liées à la solidité des communautés juives qui s’y trouvent, ce qui donne aux Israéliens un sentiment d’appartenance à Montréal et à d’autres villes canadiennes. « Ce que nous célébrons, c’est le sens de la communauté. » La communauté juive ne peut pas être vue séparément de Montréal. Lorsque M. Coderre pense à ses contributions, il pense aux institutions qui ont façonné la ville, notamment le Centre Segal et l’Hôpital général juif. Il pense aussi à ces grands Montréalais que furent, entre autres, Victor Goldbloom, politicien, pédiatre et héros du rapprochement entre les communautés et le musicien Leonard Cohen, dont le grand-père, magnat des affaires et cofondateur du premier journal anglophone juif, a été l’un des premiers dirigeants bénévoles de la Fédération. Lorsque le musicien partit pour son dernier voyage, la semaine précédant la visite de la délégation en Israël et en Cisjordanie, tous les regards se tournèrent vers Montréal. M. Coderre décida alors de ramener une pierre de Jérusalem pour la placer sur la

tombe de l’artiste, et de réciter un kaddish. Il fut accompagné dans sa démarche par l’ancien député Irwin Cotler, des leaders du monde des affaires de Montréal et M. Rabinowitz, rabbin de Jérusalem. Ce dernier lui confia que Leonard Cohen se rendait régulièrement en Israël et récitait une prière au Kotel à chaque visite. « En parler me donne des frissons », raconte le maire, des mois plus tard. « Il s’est passé quelque chose pendant ce voyage », affirme-t-il. Ce quelque chose dépasse la signature d’accords ou la création de liens avec des universités et les réseaux d’affaires. « Il existe un pont entre nos deux peuples, et c’est ce qui est important. » Il s’est agi d’un moment poignant à une époque où le monde pouvait paraître hostile. En 2015, lorsque le supermarché cacher Hypercacher a été attaqué dans la foulée de la fusillade au journal Charlie Hebdo, en France, M. Coderre décida d’organiser le sommet international Vivre ensemble. Des maires du monde entier se sont alors réunis à Montréal pour souligner le rôle des villes dans la promotion de la

cohésion sociale, la création de cadres de vie inclusifs et sûrs ainsi que de communautés ouvertes, diverses et accueillantes. La première initiative du sommet fut la création d’une table ronde sur la lutte à l’antisémitisme. Des leaders des communautés juives de Paris et de Montréal répondirent à l’appel. « Pour moi, le « vivre ensemble » est une approche fondée sur un savant équilibre entre l’ouverture aux autres, dans le sens où nous voulons conserver notre mode de vie, nos valeurs, notre liberté, et l’assurance que nous faisons la promotion de nos valeurs universelles tout, en demeurant vigilants, et ce, pour que l’un ne prenne pas le dessus sur l’autre. » La communauté juive apporte énormément à la ville, pense le maire. « C’est Montréal. Il n’y pas d’eux et de nous. Il n’y a que nous. » Cette année, la Fédération CJA fête son 100e anniversaire, le Canada, le 150e anniversaire de la Confédération, et Montréal, son 375e anniversaire. Pour M. Coderre, c’est le moment de nous souvenir d’où nous venons, de vivre le présent dans toute sa diversité et de définir l’avenir. n

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THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS APRIL 13, 2017

Reflections by Federation CJA’s first female president: Dodo Heppner D odo Heppner’s resume has a telling entry. Under occupation, after a note about her two years as a nursery school teacher, it reads, “Mother and professional volunteer (that means full time).” Heppner takes volunteerism seriously. She’s been at it since the ‘50s, giving her time to committees and organizations from Federation CJA, to the National Jewish Congress, to the National Council of Jewish Women, to Jewish Immigrant Aid Services. She has been asked more than once why she works so hard for no pay. “I feel I’m privileged to be able to do it,” she says noting that being involved in the community has always been a part of her and her family’s life. “Without volunteerism in any field, society would be greatly diminished,” Heppner says. That goes beyond the Jewish com-

munity, she insists. “We could never afford to do and provide what we do for people without volunteer involvement.” On a personal level, she feels responsible. “I’ve always felt that if I could be a small part of that, it was a very worthwhile endeavour. Of course as a Jewish person I do feel a commitment to that kind of involvement. ” Heppner was the first female president of the Herzl Health Centre. That was in 1965, more than 50 years after the centre started operations. It was a different time, for sure, but a comment from one of the elders still sticks with her, “He tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘OK, little girl, now let’s see what you can do.’” They saw. She went on to become the first female president of Allied Jewish Community Services (AJCS), the precursor to Federation CJA. That was in 1983, the

year Roberta Bondar became the first female in Canada’s space program and the year before Canada would have its first female governor general in Jeanne Sauvé. At AJCS there were rumblings about the woman at the top, so Heppner decided on a direct approach. She sat down at her first meeting and said, “I know I’m the first woman president and there’s been a lot of talk about it. But let’s get down to some real business. We have serious things to consider.” That was the end of the chatter. Several women have followed in her volunteer leadership path including Dr. Maxine Sigman and Marilyn Blumer, and immediate past president, Susan Laxer. Federation CJA is also one of only two large city federations in North America with a woman professional leader, CEO Deborah Corber.

We could never afford to do and provide what we do for people without volunteer involvement.

At 90, Heppner has seen a lot of progress for women in the world at large, but she’s under no illusions that all roads are clear. “I still think there’s a way to go. I guess we’ll get there eventually.” CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Dodo Heppner, who became the first female president of AJCS in 1983, addresses a group of women in this archival photo from the 1960s. JEWISH PUBLIC LIBRARY PHOTO

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The first wave of Sephardi immigrants began arriving in Montreal from North Africa in the mid to late 1950s. ALEX DWORKIN CANADIAN JEWISH ARCHIVES PHOTO

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On the other hand, she sees an organization that is much more professionally run. The full-time staff and others provide skilled leadership and continuity that make transitions on the Federation CJA board more seamless. That may be more important with the evolution to twoworking-people families. It’s not as easy for women to volunteer when they are at work all day. Heppner remembers when most volunteer work could be arranged in the daytime – now it’s early mornings and evenings – and she could be found at AJCS every day. She married in 1948 at a time when one income was enough to run a household. It was common for women to stay home and take care of the family. “It was a different time. My husband could put food on the table, so it was good. It was really good.” Now she sees the evolution not just of women’s roles but of new Jewish immigrants. Three major migrations from Hungary, North Africa and Russia have changed the demographics and added to

the community. “One of the big questions in the overall community was how are we going to get them to integrate; we don’t want them separate,” she says. “It’s taken a few decades but it’s definitely happened.” Today there are many from those newer waves in positions of leadership. Heppner remembers the Sephardim as an important link to Quebec’s francophone community during the upheaval of 1976. “It was a disturbing time for the Jewish community,” she recalls. “Their immigration has been a very positive one. They’ve added a lot not only to the Jewish community but to civic life.” It’s time to turn to what Heppner says is a largely ignored community – people over 65. “If you’re not involved now, it’s not too late,” she says. With more people functioning very well for longer, she says there is a wealth of experience and skills available from people who also have the time to give. They just have to be asked. n

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Lifelong friendships built on faith: Father John Walsh The Jewish community in Montreal is very strong. It makes its contribution in many areas in terms of trying to bring social justice to the fore, trying to help with poverty, speaking out against Islamophobia.

Father Walsh, left, with the late Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel before his lecture – which was organized to promote interfaith understanding – at Montreal’s Theatre St. Denis in 2009.

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tudies for the priesthood had an unexpected outcome for Father John Walsh. They led to the beginning of a rich and long friendship with Montreal’s Jewish community. Walsh was studying at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome (Gregorian University) in the early 1970s. A new opportunity opened to study in Jerusalem. It wouldn’t have been an option to first year students but because of concerns about the 1973 war, some of the upper year students had declined. There were extra spaces. Walsh was keen and spent two semesters at Hebrew University. “It was a life-changing moment,” he says. “Israel opened the hermeneutics of the scriptures as never before. The words leaped off the pages as the sacred places gave new breath to the Spirit,” he remembers, and the professors were dedicated to

learning. On an archeological expedition at Tel Mevorah, outside Haifa, his group found a Canaanite altar in situ.  He recalls the excitement of the find confirming the historical record in the scriptures. Those were academic discoveries. Another world opened to him in 1976 when he returned to Montreal. Soon after his arrival, a Sister of Zion who had heard about his Israeli studies, invited him to be part of a meeting of Jewish rabbis. “That’s how I was introduced to the rabbinate in Montreal,” he says. He built fast friendships that have endured for four decades. He was invited to address the Jewish community on special occasions such as Kristallnacht, the commemoration of the Shoah, and on study days with rabbis, priests, and ministers. He joined the Christian-Jewish Dialogue of Montreal

and served as co-president with Rabbi Howard Joseph for 10 years. The doors were open both ways. Walsh invited rabbis in to speak with the Catholic community as well, and leaders of both communities joined with Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists for annual interfaith prayer evenings. “The Jewish community in Montreal is very strong,” he says. “It makes its contribution in many areas in terms of trying to bring social justice to the fore, trying to help with poverty, speaking out against Islamophobia.” Interfaith co-operation has led to regular discussions with Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre on current issues and it has helped to secure the release of two people from foreign prisons. In the case of a Montreal businessman jailed in India, an interfaith group went to Ottawa to

plead his case. “We worked together. That changed the optic of interfaith in terms of what it meant. He could be freed because we were working together as an interfaith group, which we did.” Walsh had a radio program on CJAD AM for 16 years. When Cantor Gideon Zelermyer moved to town, Walsh was urged to have him on as a guest. They’ve been fast friends ever since. Walsh never misses Kol Nidre each year to hear Zelermyer sing. The interfaith blog faithblender.com shares the voices of Walsh, Rabbi Michael Whitman and Imam Ziyad Delic. Until he left for New York, Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz was a contributor. Their goal is simple: to share traditions on many subjects to see similarities and respect differences. An introduction to faithblender spells it out this way: “We know that people of many faiths live on the same street, work side by side, share the same cities, and are trying to build better neighbourhoods. We can no longer pass each other as strangers.” Walsh has been impressed with new rabbis arriving in Montreal embracing not just the Jewish community, but the community at large. “Many are American but have learned to speak French quite fluently,” he says. As a board member of the Jewish Public Library and a national honorary director of Magan David Adom, Walsh has seen the community at work. “There is a structure, a way to be able to do things,” he says of the library and Federation CJA. “It also offers phenomenal opportunities to people, open to the whole community.” Keeping that open dialogue is important, Walsh says. He quotes theologian Hans Kung who offers the ultimate challenge: “There will be peace in the world when there is peace among religions.” n

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The privilege of calling Montreal home: Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz

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aving seen Montreal’s Jewish community up close and from afar, Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz knows this: The people who are privileged to call the Jewish community of Montreal their home are incredibly lucky. “There is an idealism, an affiliation, a connection and a warmth that represents some of the best values of what a Jewish community can be,” Rabbi Steinmetz says from his post in the second biggest city in North America. The much-loved rabbi was born in Monsey, N.Y., but spent 19 years in Montreal as spiritual leader of Congregation Tifereth Beth David Jerusalem. The Steinmetz family, including wife Lisa and their four children, left about a year ago when Rabbi Steinmetz was appointed senior rabbi of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun (KJ) on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. On a sunny New York afternoon, he reflects on the experience. “We miss Montreal a great deal,” he says. “It is a special place.” Jewish Montrealers are engaged, involved, connected, proud and warm, he says. He thinks of Federation CJA’s role in that, whether it influences the community or is a reflection of the community. “Probably a little bit of both is true,” Rabbi Steinmetz says, noting it’s part of a communal culture unique to Montreal. Organizations are connected, something that is not seen everywhere. “American culture is silos – you’ve got your synagogue here and your organization there…” Federation CJA is the connector, he says. “It does an exceptional job of bringing Jews together,” and it has clout in terms of being able to harness that power. It takes on projects that no one else can do, it starts initiatives that no other group can and it funds projects in a manner that no other organization could. The Mega Missions are a great example. Rabbi Steinmetz led the second trip of its kind from Montreal in 2014. (The first was in 1996.) There were more than 500 participants, he recalls, and it was “electric.” The size of the group is part of what made it so. To experience Israel, not as an individual but as a community, is powerful, he says, because Israel is the inheritance of the entire Jewish community. While they were there, in an impromptu decision, a couple from the trip got married. In a matter of days, Federation CJA organized the wedding at the top of Masada, creating a wonderful experience for the group. “It was one of those moments where you have this feeling of being part of a large community, a large family, and going back to the family home.”

While you don’t need Federation CJA’s help to visit Israel, to do so in a large group provides for a deeper, more meaningful experience. The Centennial Mega Mission in May this year will include close to 900 travellers. “These are real pilgrims on an authentic pilgrimage,” Rabbi Steinmetz says, hoping they come back with the same inspiration he did, energized, inspired, and with a better understanding of their connection to community and the community’s connection to the land and State of Israel. While Montrealers might see their connection and support for Israel as normal, Rabbi Steinmetz sees it as exceptional. The Jewish community here, “works with activism, it works with street rallies. Montreal always seems to be a step ahead of everyone on those scores.” “Look at the rallies we had for Israel in the early days of the intifada,” he says. “Montrealers in Canada are always on the front lines of activism on behalf of Israel.” He knows that it might not seem that way from inside. We tend to see the challenges when we’re up close, rather than the strengths. “The very challenges that Montrealers see as threatening their community are actually the very things that make Montreal this remarkable, engaged,

connected, unified Jewish community.” Rabbi Steinmetz mentions the political challenges of changing governments. Some are more open to hearing concerns of the Jewish community than others. And he mentions the demographic challenges that started in the late ‘70s as many from the community left the province leaving a smaller Jewish population. Even with those challenges the community is strong. Rabbi Steinmetz lists the evidence. Day school enrolment levels are unparalleled in North America. Affiliation with synagogues is high and the community has bridges between all segments of the community and all denominations. “It’s one of the few communities where ultra-Orthodox Jews and Jews with absolutely no affiliation whatsoever will have warm and wonderful connections with each other.” Other federations in many other places in North America are trying to get to the place that Montreal has built. Rabbi Steinmetz, with his new outside view, can see that clearly. He sees what Federation CJA can achieve as a result: large scale events on behalf of Israel and large scale funding of day schools, for example. “Any major initiative is unimaginable without the Federation.” n

Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz speaks at the Montreal Mega Mission in 2014.

The very challenges that Montrealers see as threatening their community are actually the very things that make Montreal this remarkable, engaged, connected, unified Jewish community.

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Jewish community contributions make Montreal what it is: André Desmarais If you don’t have a new generation of up and comers, you’re not going to have a future. That’s what they’re doing. They’re investing in it day after day.

André Desmarais, president and co-CEO of Power Corporation Canada

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uebec would not be what it is as a province and Montreal would not be what it is as a city, without the tremendous contribution of the Jewish community.” André Desmarais, president and co-CEO of Power Corporation Canada can’t say enough about the mark made by the community and by the Federation over the last 100 years. Whether in culture, industry, health care, or universities, he says, “the contribution has been stellar.” Federation CJA was 10 years old when André’s father, Paul Desmarais, was born in Sudbury, Ont. The senior Desmarais’ trajectory is well known to many: he took

the reins of a failing family bus company and not only turned the business around, but grew it, and later acquired Power Corporation of Canada in the late 1960s. Today André and his brother run the organization. Among the family’s friends are the Bronfmans, successful business owners and generous supporters of the Jewish community. Stephen Bronfman and André Desmarais are great pals, with a friendship that led to Desmarais’ understanding and admiration of the Jewish community. He says he’s moved by the generosity of Bronfman financially and through his

involvement in the community. “And then you look at the Federation and what it’s doing: ensuring the community stays vibrant and important. It’s quite something.” Among the initiatives that have most impressed him are the efforts to mentor young entrepreneurs. At Bronfman’s request, Desmarais was a speaker at a networking and mentorship event. The guest list was notable, with top lawyers and top business people open to sharing their experiences and offering advice, he says. “It’s not a question whether you’ll show up. You do show up because you really have an impact.” Supporting young people is among the key focuses of Federation CJA Montreal. Last year more than 7,000 young Montrealers participated in programs that provide opportunities for social, networking and leadership development. Among other outcomes is fostering a sense of belonging among Jewish youth. This is a core driver behind the founding of GenMTL, the newly expanded young adult division of Federation CJA. “If you don’t have a new generation of up and comers, you’re not going to have

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a future,” Desmarais says, still thinking of the impact of those sessions. “That’s what they’re doing. They’re investing in it day after day.” Desmarais is a lifelong Montrealer. In addition to his admiration for support inside the community, he is struck by the contributions to the city at large, contributions that come from the Jewish commitment to give. He starts with Charles Bronfman. “Think of the Expos. Without Charles, that never would have happened in Montreal.” Then he points to the Jewish General Hospital, which, at its inception, was an affiliated agency of the precursor to Federation CJA. A fundraising campaign began in 1929 to create an institution that would meet the needs of the Jewish community and Jewish medical professionals, many of whom had been shut out of other hospitals. The founders agreed that this new hospital would welcome patients and staff from all backgrounds. A month after the campaign began the stock market crashed. Still, all pledges were honoured. Today the hospital admits almost 25,000 patients a year and charts almost half a million outpatient visits annually. The generosity of the Jewish community has allowed that institution to be what it is, Desmarais says. “They service everyone from all different communities. Everybody has benefitted tremendously.” Those benefits have gone beyond Montreal, he says, shaping the province of Quebec as well. Fantastic individuals and extraordinary families, “have continued to be very important and a stellar part of what Quebec is. And by the way, they love Quebec too and give so much to it. It’s sheer generosity.” n

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Partners in community building: Gail Small

Gail Small, CEO of Agence Ometz

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ederation CJA was born of need. From 1863, the Young Men’s Hebrew Benevolent Society had been supporting Jews in Montreal, first single men, then families. As people fled pogroms, forced military draft and economic hardships in eastern Europe, the Jewish population surged. It grew from 950 in 1881 to 2,500 in 1891. The organization needed more help. The benevolent society and others doing similar work saw a need for a philanthropic arm for the community. It would allow them to focus on their good work without having to put resources to raising money. That was the start of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, a precursor to Federation CJA. “Obviously, Federation is much more than that at this point,” Gail Small says. Small is CEO of Agence Ometz, the evolution of that early benevolent society. Small sees Federation CJA as a strategic partner with the agencies; it understands the issues and supports agencies in implementing solutions. “It’s a collaborative relationship.” Twenty per cent of the Montreal Jewish community lives below the poverty line. “Federation really gets the fact that we need to take care of the vulnerable – families or individuals living in poverty or children or youth at risk – they really get that,” Small says. But they also work to maintain a strong vibrant community. That means making sure that people have access to experiences including cultural, educational, recreational or social activities.

“They have to play the delicate juggling act,” Small says, and they do so by consulting, by treating agencies as partners and by building relationships. It’s a special relationship. Not all organizations across the country enjoy that level of respect and support. Small credits the people involved in the offices above in their shared building. “Institutions are people. I know that my partners upstairs really get the issues.” She thinks of emerging issues and Federation CJA’s response. For example, in recent years, Ometz has seen more youths and young adults at risk. They may have mental health issues or other challenges and are falling through the cracks. Small will have a conversation with her colleagues in planning at Federation CJA to talk about a new approach, a reallocation “and they get it.” Availability of affordable housing is another current concern. What started as a task force at Ometz to look at how people could be helped out of poverty moved to Federation CJA and now an agency has been created to deal with housing issues. “They are responsive to recognizing social needs,” Small says. Poverty and other social issues aren’t

unique to the Jewish community. They mirror the Montreal community at large. “What is unique to the Jewish community is that we’re able sometimes to provide a lot more support to our community than the general community can because of how organized we are.” Initiative France is a case in point. Recent anti-Semitic events in France have led to an increased interest among French Jews to relocate. Many see Quebec as a viable option. Federation CJA and Ometz responded with the new initiative to help with marketing, employment and settlement. Before any other question, the French ask, “Is it safe? Can we live here openly as Jews?” “This community rallies around itself but we also function in the greater Montreal community,” Small says. With the support of Federation CJA, Ometz added additional staff and hired someone originally from France who understands the newcomers’ concerns. Those partnerships build community and a strong community provides support for individuals. It creates protective factors for everyone. n

What is unique to the Jewish community is that we’re able sometimes to provide a lot more support to our community than the general community can because of how organized we are.

In 2009, Federation CJA, in collaboration with Ometz, the Cummings Centre and the CSUQ, established Le Café to address the needs of people most affected by the global economic crisis. Today, Federation CJA serves more than 25,000 hot, kosher meals per year.

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THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS APRIL 13, 2017

Choosing Montreal to live a Jewish life: Steve Sebag I n the world of finance, the ambitious may have their sights set on London, New York or Hong Kong. Investment adviser Steve Sebag chooses Montreal. “My family is here, my community is here, I chose to raise my kids here and build my business here and I wouldn’t change it for anything.” He knows he’s not alone. He sees a renewed spirit of potential in the city. People see Montreal as a viable place where they can build a business, raise a Jewish family and live a Jewish life. Montreal’s Jewish community has always stood out when compared to other communities in North America, Sebag says. “There is something particular and endearing about this resilient community. It’s not huge but it is certainly a model for other communities.” The city of Montreal at large and the Jewish community in Montreal, he says, are completely intertwined. “When a young person here decides on whether or not to stay in the city, I think that he views business opportunities, safety to bring up a family, and the Jewish infrastructure. It’s a whole package.” Federation CJA is an important part of that infrastructure. Sebag is a board member and chair of the advisory committee of GenMTL, the newly-structured young adult division. It puts together YAD, Hillel and Bronfman Israel Experience Centre creating a more cohesive entity that allows for seamless transitions for individuals. It takes the “what’s next” out of the picture. Young people will discover more ways to be and to stay involved, like Sebag, not just as members of the Jewish community but as volunteers. GenMTL as an organization, will “act as the concierge of volunteers,” he says, finding opportunities that fit the volun-

Broken down, little grassroots initiatives help shape the city that we live in.

Steve Sebag, speaking at an event for YAD Montreal’s Jewish Food Project.

teer’s interests, giving people a little feel for what being Jewish is, what partaking in Jewish activities means. “Broken down, little grassroots initiatives help shape the city that we live in.” Federation CJA is not a trendy cause, Sebag says, because it’s so well diversified. At the same time, “it’s a powerhouse in terms of touching as many people as possible.” The last 100 years have shown that the Jewish community has been blessed with out-of-the-ordinary leadership and generosity of money, resources and time, Sebag says. “They built something that is sustainable, something that we should all be proud of, and it’s our time to take the baton and run with it.”

Federation CJA offers a wide range of programs. “It’s so vast it reaches so many, that sometimes you feel it’s not pinpointed,” Sebag says, and to understand the piece that engages young members takes thought. “Of course we fight poverty, at the same time we give dignity to the Holocaust survivor who just needs someone to bring him to get his meds, or the kid that didn’t get a hot meal for lunch. There are programs for this and there are programs for young entrepreneurs.” As president of the Young Adults campaign in 2013, Sebag led a group of 10 Montrealers and nine Israelis to Ethiopia to participate in one of the last aliyot of Ethiopian Jews. The group helped the

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S Congratulations to Federation CJA on 100 years of community engagement and support. Mercer is proud to have been a part of Federation CJA’s first 100 years. We celebrate this momentous milestone and look forward to continuing to help Federation CJA advance the health, wealth and careers of their employees in the next 100 years. www.mercer.ca

newcomers settle in the absorption centre in Be’er Sheva, coincidentally Montreal’s sister city. “It would be impossible to say this has not helped shape or mould how I view the world, how lucky I feel having being born on the other side of the planet.” Sebag’s parents left Morocco for a new life in Montreal. It’s not lost on him. “My parents came to the right country, allowing me to study and live in a free society and to earn a living here surrounded by a beautiful Jewish community with very little hardships growing up as a Jew. I’m very thankful for that.” He’s turned that gratitude into reaching out to the less fortunate and serving the community through Federation CJA. n

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Une vie juive à Montréal: Steve Sebag

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ans le monde de la finance, les ambitieux ont souvent le regard tourné vers Londres, New York ou Hong Kong, mais Steve Sebag, conseiller en placements, a plutôt choisi Montréal. « C’est ici que sont ma famille et ma communauté, c’est ici que j’ai choisi d’élever mes enfants et de bâtir ma carrière. Je ne partirais pour rien au monde. » Il est conscient qu’il n’est pas le seul et qu’un vent de possibilités nouvelles souffle sur la ville. Les gens considèrent Montréal comme un endroit viable où ils pourront se lancer en affaires, élever une famille juive et mener une vie juive. « La communauté juive de Montréal s’est toujours distinguée des autres communautés d’Amérique du Nord, affirme M. Sebag. Cette communauté résiliente a quelque chose de particulier et d’attachant. Elle n’est pas très grande, mais elle constitue de toute évidence un modèle pour d’autres communautés. » « D’une manière générale, la ville de Montréal et la communauté juive de Montréal sont étroitement liées, dit-il. Lorsqu’un jeune d’ici se demande s’il doit rester à Montréal, je crois qu’il réfléchit aux possibilités de carrière, à la qualité de vie pour une famille et à l’infrastructure juive. C’est un ensemble. » La Fédération CJA occupe une place importante au sein de cette infrastructure. M. Sebag est membre du conseil d’administration de la Fédération CJA et président du comité consultatif de GenMTL, la nouvelle division pour les jeunes adultes. Celle-ci regroupe désormais YAD, Hillel et le Centre Bronfman des expériences en Israël en une entité plus cohésive, qui permettra aux jeunes de vivre plus facilement les transitions et de découvrir davantage de moyens de s’impliquer à long terme comme M. Sebag, non seulement en tant que membres de la communauté juive, mais aussi en tant que bénévoles.

En 2011, une nouvelle subdivision - YAD FedNext - a été lancée pour impliquer les jeunes adultes juifs âgés de 18 à 25 ans.

À titre d’organisation, GenMTL joue en quelque sorte le rôle de « carrefour des bénévoles », ajoute-t-il en spécifiant qu’il s’agit de l’endroit où les jeunes adultes pourront sélectionner des activités selon leurs champs d’intérêt, discuter du sens de ce que c’est qu’être juif et prendre part à des projets juifs. « Subdivisées, les petites initiatives locales contribuent à façonner la ville dans laquelle nous vivons. » Si la Fédération CJA n’est pas une cause à la mode, dit M. Sebag, c’est parce qu’elle est très diversifiée. En même temps, « c’est une véritable force quand il s’agit de toucher le plus de monde possible. » On peut dire que depuis 100 ans, la communauté juive a la chance de bénéficier d’un leadership hors du commun et d’une immense générosité, que ce soit en argent, en ressources ou en temps, déclare M. Sebag. « Ils ont bâti quelque chose de durable, quelque chose dont nous

devrions tous être fiers. C’est à nous qu’il revient maintenant de prendre le relais. » La Fédération CJA propose un large éventail de programmes. « C’est tellement vaste, ça concerne tellement de monde qu’on a parfois l’impression qu’on va dans trop de directions, dit M. Sebag, et il faut réfléchir pour comprendre quels sont les éléments qui poussent les jeunes membres de la communauté à s’engager. Bien sûr, nous luttons contre la pauvreté tout en préservant la dignité du survivant de l’Holocauste qui a simplement besoin que quelqu’un l’emmène chercher ses médicaments ou de l’enfant qui n’a pas de repas le midi. Il existe des programmes pour cela et des programmes pour les jeunes entrepreneurs. » En tant que président de la Campagne des jeunes adultes de 2013, Steve Sebag a accompagné un groupe de dix Montréalais et neuf Israéliens en Éthiopie pour prendre part à l’une des dernières aliyah

Le Groupe Lessard félicite Fédération CJA pour 100 ans de service a la communauté. 2025, boulevard Dagenais Ouest Laval (Québec) H7L 5V1

de Juifs éthiopiens. Le groupe a aidé les nouveaux arrivants à s’installer dans le centre d’intégration de Beer Sheva (ville jumelée à Montréal). « Il est indéniable que tout cela a façonné ma vision du monde et que je suis conscient de la chance que j’ai d’être né à l’autre bout de la planète. » Les parents de M. Sebag ont quitté le Maroc pour commencer une nouvelle vie à Montréal, et il sait ce que cela représente. « Mes parents sont venus au bon endroit, dans un pays où j’ai pu poursuivre des études, grandir au sein d’une société libre et gagner ma vie entouré d’une merveilleuse communauté juive sans connaître trop de difficultés à vivre mon enfance en tant que Juif. Je suis conscient de la chance que j’ai eue. » Il exprime cette gratitude en se mettant au service des moins privilégiés et de la communauté par l’entremise de la Fédération CJA. n

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THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS APRIL 13, 2017

Celebrating 100 years with Federation CJA: Mickey Rosenthal I was taught from childhood, if you own a farm, you give a corner to charity, no matter how poor you are.

Mickey Rosenthal

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hen the centennial edition of the Montreal Mega Mission lands in Israel this spring, there’s going to be a party, and it won’t be just for Federation CJA. Mickey Rosenthal, a stalwart of the Jewish community is also celebrating his 100th birthday. Rosenthal and 10 of his family members will join the trip, a special time but not a big deal for the centenarian, who keeps an ocean-side apartment in Florida, still drives and plays 18 holes of golf each week. It will be an opportunity to check up on his projects “in the middle of the desert,” as he describes them. He’ll lead a busload from the mission to see his pride and joy. About 25 years ago he set out to equip the small town of Mercaz Sapir with a twostorey library building. About 10 years later he added a 400-seat community hall, like Place des Arts, Rosenthal says, with red plush seats. A few years after that he heard the community’s music program had to be taught in the basement with no equipment. So when the Jewish National Fund of Canada wanted to honour Rosenthal, he suggested a music conservatory as a project in his name. “There are no community finances in this place,” Rosenthal says of the isolated town in the Arava desert, far south of Be’er Sheva. It’s just the State of Israel and Rosenthal’s efforts through Federation CJA. It is a responsibility he bears happily. “That tells you a lot about me,” he says. “I’m not boasting. I’m just proud of it.” Few people can say they literally grew up with Federation CJA. The organization

has always been part of Rosenthal’s life with a few exceptions. He studied at Bishop’s University, Harvard University and he served in England during World War II. He sees a community that has evolved beautifully with plenty to be proud of. “The people of Federation CJA have done a good job, and they do it at low cost to the community,” he says. “There’re going great places, campaigning for the next 100 years to protect the community, and they’ve raised money unheard of before. They deserve a great deal of respect – both the lay people and the professionals.” Rosenthal supports Israel and many other organizations, but has a special

respect for Federation CJA because it is so comprehensive. “It’s senior citizens, it’s education, it’s the library, they serve every aspect of the community and that’s why I think it’s number one.” He wishes more people would do the same. “I was taught from childhood, if you own a farm, you give a corner to charity, no matter how poor you are.” His metaphorical farm did well. He ran an electronics distribution company in Montreal with his father Jack. When he sold the business at 67, he was ready to take on more in the community. He served as campaign chair in 1986 and raised $30 million that year. His wife, Ruth Rosenthal, worked for

Federation CJA for about 20 years, volunteering with a team of like-minded women, doing what they could, making a difference, building up the community. When Ruth passed away, Mickey stopped by Israel Cancer Research Fund to make a donation on her behalf. Sheila Labow accepted the gift and invited Rosenthal to join her in a box seat she had for a concert that same evening. They’ve been together for 22 years. Rosenthal is optimistic looking back and forward, seeing how Federation CJA has gone from nothing to something. “There are always improvements. Look at the growth of our community in 100 years. It’s fantastic.” n

When Mickey Rosenthal joins the upcoming 2017 Mega Mission to Israel, he will also be celebrating his 100th birthday.

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Translating Yiddish unlocks Montreal history: Pierre Anctil We can’t do a history of Montreal without the Jewish component... If we don’t get to the root of the Jewish history we are missing large parts.

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ierre Anctil has just finished class at the University of Ottawa. Thirty students are taking his course this semester on the history of the Jews in Canada, in French. Anctil is a francophone from Quebec City. He’s not Jewish. But he learned Yiddish to be able to translate historical documents so he could find out more about the Jewish community in Montreal. The professor became interested in the community in the early ‘80s. At the time, it was an unknown field to francophones. “It was not known that there was a Jewish history in Montreal, that there were contributions in culture, economics, society, anything,” he says. “Some individuals were known but the global portrait was missing, so that’s what I’ve been working on for 30 years.” “We can’t do a history of Montreal without the Jewish component,” he says. There are so many contributions from the community that, “if we don’t get to the root of the Jewish history we are missing large parts. We don’t have some of the factors to explain what happened.” Jews made up the largest immigrant community in Montreal for 50 years until a large Italian immigration began, following World War II. Yiddish was the third most spoken language after French and English and the Jewish community was the first non-Christian group to arrive en masse. This part of Canadian and Quebec history teaches us a great deal about the country, and has kept Anctil researching. The history of Montreal and the Jewish community here are so intertwined that Anctil insists it’s important to define the Montreal Jewish history separately from other Jewish histories in Canada. “It has its own identity, its own language, its own defining moments.” For example, Montreal’s Jewish community has the highest level of Jewish observance of any North American city, the highest level of children in the Jew-

ish school system and the lowest level of intermarriage of all Canadian and American cities. “Because of its unique history and fact that neither francophones nor Anglo-Protestants easily welcomed Jews, they forged their own third reality.” Go to juifsdici.ca, a project of Federation CJA and you’ll see what’s changed over three decades. Anctil wrote the introduction to the site and was among the group tasked with choosing the people, places and things to profile as part of the showcase of Montreal Jewish contributions to the community, city, province and beyond. That Federation CJA produces material in French is another part of what makes the community unique in North America, Anctil says. It’s the only community that negotiates with the outside world in a language that is not English. For many years, Jews arriving in Montreal learned English and then came to terms with the rest of the population in English. The arrival of the French-speaking Sephardi community, and language skills of young Jews (80 per cent are bilingual today) make the Jewish community among the most bilingual in the country. The filter through English is “no longer the case. We’re coming to terms with each other in French.” The result is better awareness and understanding. Yiddish has become part of what French-Canadians know as a literary and cultural heritage. “We need the wealth of creativity produced by the Jewish community as part of our society not just within the boundaries of the Jewish community. “These connections are very important,” Anctil says. “We move the factor of isolation or perceptions that are negative.” The historian is happy to look back to see how far the community has come but he doesn’t look too far ahead. “To predict the future is something historians are loath to do,” he says, “because we’re always wrong.” n

University of Ottawa professor Pierre Anctil

CANADIAN ASSOCIATES CANADIAN ASSOCIATES OF BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY

OF BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY

representing Israel’s youngest and most dynamic university, BGU, salutes and says Yishar Koach to FEDERATION CJA. May you go from strength to strength and, along with the university, may both of us continue to be vital engines that are propelling the outstanding growth of Beer-sheva. And may your next 100 years be even more successful!

Gary Fine National President Larry Nachshen, President Quebec

Mark Mendelson Chief Executive Officer Ellayne Kaplan, Executive Director Quebec

To learn more about CABGU, please visit our website at www.bengurion.ca

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THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS APRIL 13, 2017

Federation CJA’s 100 year journey 1917-1926

Maxwell Goldstein, K.C., founding president of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies. Goldstein was a lawyer and prominent Jewish leader who presided over the new organization until 1920.

1927-1936

Israel’s future prime minister Golda Meir, middle foreground, on a visit to Montreal in 1929 meeting with local Zionists. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ALEX DWORKIN CANADIAN JEWISH ARCHIVES

1957-1966

Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion (left), in conversation with Samuel Bronfman.

1987-1996

Federation CJA’s 1991 Mission to Israel: “Exodus ’91.” PHOTO COURTESY OF THE JEWISH PUBLIC LIBRARY ARCHIVES

1937-1946

1947-1956

Jewish volunteers to the Canadian Armed Forces file into the YMHA

1967-1976

The March to Jerusalem, a fundraising walk-a-thon, was created in 1972. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE JEWISH PUBLIC LIBRARY ARCHIVES

1997-2006

The Cummings Centre ground breaking ceremony.

Federation CJA leadership with a “Meet Greater Needs with Greater Deeds” Poster, 1955. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE JEWISH PUBLIC LIBRARY ARCHIVES

1977-1986

Israel’s Prime Minister Shimon Peres is greeted at the Dorval Airport by leaders of Montreal’s Jewish Community: Marvin Corber, John R. Fishel, Carl Laxer and Gordon Brown.

2007-2017

In 2014, close to 600 Montrealers took part in the Montreal Mega Mission to Israel, during which a wedding atop Masada was held.

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THE SEGAL CENTRE IS CELEBRATING

10 REMARKABLE YEARS

CREDIT: Photo: Andrée Lanthier / Guys and Dolls

A part of the community since 1967, the organization was reborn in 2007 as the Segal Centre and has expanded to become a nationally recognized venue for the performing arts.

WE CONGRATULATE AND THANK FEDERATION CJA ON

100 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY The Heart of English Theatre in Montreal segalcentre.org / 514.739.7944

T_1617_Segal-Fed100_CJN_Ad_v2.indd 1

2017-03-17 1:41 PM

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The National Board & Staff of

Canadian Magen David Adom extend congratulations to

Federation CJA on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary. Michael I. Levine

Sidney Benizri

National President

National Executive Director

6900 Decarie Blvd., Suite 3155, Montreal, QC H3X 2T8 Tel.: 514-731-4400 • Fax: 514-731-2490 • Toll-Free: 1-800-731-2848 • Email: [email protected] DONATE ONLINE AT: WWW.CMDAI.ORG

“...HE WHO SAVES ONE LIFE HAS SAVED AN ENTIRE WORLD”

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MAZEL TOV FEDERATION CJA!

Congratulations

FEDERATION CJA on your

100th Anniversary

TOGETHER, SINCE 1950, HELPING PEOPLE HELP THEMSELVES.

May you go from strength to strength

ENSEMBLE, DEPUIS 1950, NOUS AIDONS LES GENS A SE PRENDRE EN MAIN.

When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you. / Tu jouis alors du travail de tes mains, Tu es heureux, tu prospères. Psalms/Psaumes 128:2

514-731-3446 www.abecohenplumbing.com

100 already?

Welcome to the club! The Jewish Public Library and the Sylvan Adams YM-YWHA are proud to be founding agencies of Federation CJA. Mazel Tov on your Centennial year and wishing you continued success.

jewishpubliclibrary.org

ymywha.com

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The Shaar Hashomayim family congratulates Federation CJA on its centennial celebration. May Federation CJA continue to be a source of blessing and strength for Montreal, serving to unify our Jewish community.

Mazal Tov!

CONGREGATION SHAAR HASHOMAYIM shaarhashomayim.org



THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS APRIL 13, 2017

MAZEL TOV ON THIS MILESTONE! Together we strengthen our community as we support education, medicine, the arts and Holocaust survivors.

WWW.AZRIELIFOUNDATION.ORG

Congratulations to Federation CJA on

years of strengthening and building community

T h e R o u t e s Tr a v e l f a m i l y i s h o n o u r e d t o h a v e p l a y e d a r o l e i n y o u r I s r a e l c o n n e c t i o n

Mazal Tov from the entire team at Routes Travel - facilitating unforgettable Israel experiences for Montreal families for over twenty years. www.routestravel.com

ron.ca rras.ca

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Federation CJA Congratulations on 100 years of service and all of your extraordinary accomplishments Wishing you great success for the next century

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est consciente de l’importance d’une première impression et fournira un service de valet professionnel afin d’assurer que chacun de vos invités vive une expérience mémorable. Valet Parking associe l’élégance et une logistique efficace pour vous offrir un service de première qualité. Cette équipe fiable s’engage à vous offrir un service de valet sur mesure lors de votre prochain événement spécial.

The Valet Parking team

knows the importance of first impressions and will deliver a professional valet service to ensure a memorable experience for each your guests. Valet Parking combines elegance and efficient logistics to offer you valet services of the highest quality. This reliable team is standing by to provide valet parking services tailored to your needs at your next special event.

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est consciente de l’importance d’une première impression et fournira un service de valet professionnel afin d’assurer que chacun de vos invités vive une expérience mémorable. Valet Parking associe l’élégance et une logistique efficace pour vous offrir un service de première qualité. Cette équipe fiable s’engage à vous offrir un service de valet sur mesure lors de votre prochain événement spécial.

The Valet Parking team

Services professionnels Touche de distinction Équipe d’expérience Haut niveau de sécurité knows the importance

Services professionnels

of first impressions and will deliver a professional valet service to ensure Touche de distinction a memorable experience for each your guests. Valet Parking combines elegance and efficient logistics to offer you valet services of the highest Équipe d’expérience quality. This reliable team is standing by to provide valet parking services Haut niveau de sécurité tailored to your needs at your next special event.

Professional services Touch of distinction Experienced team High level of security

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Mazel Tov! Congratulations to our partner on a century of community building

THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS APRIL 13, 2017

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Congratulations

FEDERATION CJA on your

100th Anniversary May you go from strength to strength

Canadian Institute for Jewish Research L’Institut Canadien de Recherches sur le Judaïsme

At the end of the day, growth is the only thing that matters. It’s not easy to cut costs and increase profit. In reality, business is wrought with logistical inefficiencies. With American Express Global Corporate Payments, your employees will get the support they need to boost their productivity. You’ll get a full breakdown of expense data in one centralized, easy-to-love system. And your business will get global reach and the rewards only American Express can offer. We’d tell you more about our consultative procure-to-pay

strategies, our multi language round-the-clock support, and our cardmember level controls, but that would require a little more time, which you don’t have. If protecting your bottom line is your bottom line, contact: Daniel Nudelman: [email protected] Stella Hayot: [email protected]

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THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS APRIL 13, 2017

Photos (à partir de la deuxième à gauche) : Survivants de l’Holocauste ayant choisi de s’établir à Montréal, au belvédère du Mont-Royal, en 1951, photo une gracieuseté du Musée de l’Holocauste Montréal. Publicité des Fédérations des philanthropies juives pour la campagne de collecte de fonds annuelle de 1935-1936. Bénévoles du Café, la soupe populaire empreinte de dignité de la Fédération CJA servant plus de 25 000 repas tous les ans à l’ensemble de la communauté montréalaise.

Photos (beginning with second from left): Polish Holocaust survivors making Montreal their home, at the Mount Royal lookout, 1951, photo credit Montreal Holocaust Museum; Advertisement for the 1935-36 annual appeal campaign of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies; Volunteers at Le Café, Federation CJA’s dignified soup kitchen, serving over 25,000 meals annually to the broader Montreal community.

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A thank you to our community

Un merci à notre communauté

Because of you, and those who came before you, Federation CJA has been able to be the driving force behind Montreal's organized Jewish community since its inception in 1917. Our Centennial year is an especially important time to recognize the countless leaders, volunteers and donors who have built and sustained our organization, and the community thereby, over the last century.

Grâce à vous, et à ceux qui sont venus avant vous, la Fédération CJA est la force motrice derrière la communauté juive organisée de Montréal depuis sa création en 1917. L’année de notre Centenaire s’avère un moment propice pour rendre hommage aux multiples leaders, bénévoles et donateurs, qui ont bâti notre organisation, et par conséquent notre communauté, et lui ont assuré sa vitalité au cours du dernier siècle.

Thank you for being the heart and soul of Federation CJA. You support our annual Combined Jewish Appeal campaign as donors and canvassers; you lead committees and chair events; you participate in volunteer initiatives; you share your expertise with us; and you continually commit to preserve and strengthen the quality of Jewish life and engagement in Montreal, Israel and the world. Thanks to you, for the past century, no other Jewish organization has helped so many people in so many ways. And our history is only our beginning.

Merci d’être le cœur et l’âme de la Fédération CJA. Vous soutenez la campagne annuelle de l’Appel juif unifié en tant que donateurs et solliciteurs bénévoles. Vous présidez des comités et des événements. Vous donnez de votre temps pour des initiatives bénévoles. Vous nous faites profiter de votre expertise. Et sans jamais vous lasser, vous travaillez à préserver et à renforcer la qualité de la vie juive et l’engagement à Montréal, en Israël et ailleurs dans le monde. Merci, pour le siècle qui vient de s’écouler, aucune autre organisation juive n’a aidé autant de gens d’autant de façons. Et notre histoire ne fait que commencer.

federationcja.org/100