Most recently, our talented Federation Young Adults & Families Manager, Michael Reznick, organized an initiative to connect families through Purim Mishloach Manot. More than 40 families from Gatineau to Barrhaven, and from Vanier to Stittsville exchanged Purim gift bags impacting more than 70 children, and fostering a beautiful sense of community and belonging.
One of the highlights of the PJ Library program is its accessibility. There is no subscription cost to participating families, ensuring that enriching Jewish experiences and books are available to all. While Federation takes pride in welcoming every family, our ability to sustain this program relies on the generosity of local donors. Thanks to last year's contributions, we were able to welcome 174 new children into the PJ Library family.
If you are one of the thousands who have benefitted from and know the value and joy these books bring to our children, we would appreciate your support. For only $8 a month, you can join the Pay-it-Forward initiative and help bring Jewish values, traditions and storytelling to more families. (Visit this link and select the “monthly donor” option.)
Sharing Hope and Support for the Hostages & their Families
On October 7, 2023, Hamas took hundreds of Israelis and others hostage. Many remain in captivity. For this reason, Federation has joined a project to show the hostages and their families our solidarity and support. We have created notebooks, one for each hostage still held in captivity, where community members are invited to add messages of support and hope. The books will be circulated in the community to allow as many people as possible to sign. Once ready, they will be delivered to the families in Israel with the help of the Israeli Embassy in Ottawa.
The notebooks will be available to be signed at the Soloway JCC next week. For more information, please get in touch with me at Sbeutel@jewishottawa.com.
Wishing all of our friends celebrating Easter this weekend, a happy and meaningful holiday.
Shabbat Shalom,
Sarah Beutel
Interim CEO
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