Do you know someone in the Ottawa Jewish community who exemplifies what it means to be an active participant in the city’s Jewish life? This year’s Ottawa Jewish Community Service Award applications are now open, with three awards to be given out at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s 92nd Annual General Meeting to be held on June 24.

This year, the Freiman Family Young Leadership Award, the Rabbi Reuven Bulka Shem Tov Community Volunteer Award, and the Jewish Communal Professional Leadership Award will be awarded.

The Freiman Family Young Leadership Award

Last year, Jasmine Kranat won this award. Recognizing people under the age of 40 for their contributions to Jewish Ottawa over three years and continuously participating, the award was inaugurated in 1988 to honour the Freiman family for their contributions to Jewish life in Ottawa.

Recipients of the award also receive the Lawrence Greenberg Young Leadership Development Award.

“I believe it is important to give my time to the community because our Jewish community is something truly special,” said Kranat. “Volunteering is not only a way to support and strengthen it, but it is also a reflection of our Jewish values.”

An ideal candidate for this award also has strong motivational capabilities and has proven leadership abilities, with further potential for growth and community involvement.

The Rabbi Reuven Bulka Shem Tov Community Volunteer Award

Esti Fogel and Toby and Joel Yan received this award at last year’s Annual General Meeting. Designed to recognize 25 years or more of dedicated volunteerism in Jewish Ottawa, the award recognizes exemplary service to the community over decades and continues to make an impact.

As with the Young Leadership Award, candidates must have been active within the last three years and have made an impact on Ottawa’s Jewish community.

The Jewish Communal Professional Leadership Award

Presented every other year, this award recognizes an outstanding professional working for a Jewish organization in Ottawa who is dedicated to advancing an exceptional quality of Jewish life in the city.

At the 2024 Annual General Meeting, Andrea Gardner of Jewish Family Services (JFS) was given the award. Having worked at JFS for over 25 years, she has dedicated her career to championing the needs of others. From supporting people with disabilities, newcomers, and those battling substance abuse issues, to spearheading community response programs, her care for the community is evident.

To be considered for this award, nominees must have at least three years of full-time, paid professional service for an organization that serves the Ottawa Jewish community. Nominees can also be at any level within their respective organization, however a senior executive may only be nominate if there are five or fewer full-time employees. 

“It was a great honour to be selected, and a privilege to be recognized for the work I do at JFS,” said Gardner. “I am deeply dedicated and committed to the agency, and to be able to represent them through this award really meant a lot to me.”

To learn more about this year’s Community Service Awards, visit Federation’s website here or email Federation’s VP of Operations Rena Garshowitz at [email protected].