Dear Community Members,
As we reflect on the past year, we are immensely proud of what we have accomplished together. This annual report presents a snapshot of our activities over the past year. It underscores the impact of your generosity – and the power of a community coming together to be there for one another, Kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh (all of Israel are responsible for one another).
None of it would have been possible without the generosity of our donors, who continue to support the Federation’s work and mission as well as the vital work of our 12 beneficiary agencies. We meet with the beneficiary agencies regularly to ensure a collaborative approach to serving our community through direct lines of communication and support, when needed. Our agencies play a unique and pivotal role in the continued prosperity of our community.
We have achieved two historical milestones that will serve the Jewish community and the community at large for generations to come. The establishment of Jewish Heritage Month annually in the month of May celebrates the immense contributions that the Jewish community brought to Manitoba and highlights a positive outlook for Manitoba’s Jewry. The Provincial adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Definition of Antisemitism in October cemented our advocacy efforts and engagement with the Government of Manitoba, and positions our community at the forefront of standing up against hatred, discrimination, and antisemitism. We will continue to build upon this momentum in the coming year and leverage our relationships with elected officials at all levels.
We have increased our programs and relationships with Israel and our overseas partners. Our participation at the Canada-Israel Summit, held in Ottawa earlier this year, resulted in more visibility for our community across Canada and Israel. Winnipeg became a destination to many dignitaries this year, including the Consul General of Israel, the Mayors of Jerusalem and Sderot, the Executive Director of the Tel Aviv Foundation, and the Federation CEOs from across Canada. They all left with a greater appreciation for our community and all that we have built together.
The strength and well-being of our community’s next generation is critical to our sustainability and continued prosperity. This year, our board of directors visited both Camp Massad and BB Camp, to see first-hand the immersive Jewish experiences they both provide. Going forward, we will continue to have a strong focus on youth engagement, experiential education, and empowering young people to become involved and stay invested in our community.
Our community is strengthened by its diversity, and it is a key part of our mandate to ensure that we serve the entirety of the Jewish community – and we recognize that all forms of self-identity and Jewish identity enrich us as a community. This year, we were excited to begin our participation in the Jewish Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiative, spearheaded by the Jewish Federations of North America, which aims to better Federations’ ability to meet the needs of increasingly diverse Jewry.
Tikkun Olam is what we do. The war in Ukraine caused a humanitarian crisis that required an immediate response. Your donations and call to action resulted in more than $200,000 being raised in Winnipeg and directed to those directly affected in Ukraine. Our partner agencies, the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) delivered support where needed and continue to work with us on immigration and settlement services.
We are shaping the future of our Jewish Federation through our recently announced Strategic Planning Initiative. We will chart a new trajectory for our Federation by looking internally at how we do business, and adjusting our priorities based on the evolving needs of our community. We look forward to consulting with you directly as we outline the Federation’s priorities to anticipate and address the needs of the Jewish community into the future.
Driven by our shared commitment to a vibrant future for the Winnipeg Jewish community, we will continue to deliver on our mission of nurturing and furthering Jewish life locally, in Israel, and around the world.
With our sights set firmly on the next year, we humbly ask for your continued involvement and support. Our community is stronger together.
Sincerely,