Earlier this month, the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation proudly recognized a remarkable group of grant and scholarship recipients at its Annual General Meeting. These awards honour individuals both within the Jewish community and beyond, who are making a meaningful impact through leadership, academic achievement, community service, and a commitment to tzedakah.

From students pursuing higher education to changemakers building stronger communities, each recipient reflects the Foundation’s mission to inspire and support the next generation.

George Joseph Cooper Scholarship

This award is granted each year to support a member of Jewish Ottawa between the ages of 18 and 30 who has shown leadership and academic excellence, as well as a vested interest in the in the Jewish community. 
Awarded across various disciplines, including the arts, humanities, and law, the scholarship is valued at approximately $20,000.

This year’s recipient is Samuel Benzaquen.

Currently a law student at McGill, Benzaquen has worked to build bridges between the university’s Jewish community and other faith communities on campus, including to fight Quebec’s controversial Bill 21, which limits religious expressions and disproportionately affects religious minorities.

Post-October 7, as president of the Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA), he has worked to support students grappling with antisemitism on campus.

“These years of advocacy and community leadership have strengthened my belief in the power of community,” he said. “This scholarship will support my continued legal studies, and provide the ongoing encouragement and impetus to continue leading towards a better future for the Jewish community going forward.”

Ilana and Steven Rubin Education Scholarship

This $1,800 scholarship is awarded to high school students in Ontario and the Maritimes, and landed immigrants of three years or more, who wish to attend a post-secondary institution in Canada or Israel. 
The students who apply for the scholarship must graduate in the year that it is awarded and have an average of 60-79% in their last two years of high school.

This year’s recipients are Ayla Martin and Calvin Curry.

“I am honoured to be [one of] the recipients of this year’s Ilana and Steven Rubin Scholarship,” said Curry. “[It] has brought not only much-needed financial relief, but also the confirmation that my efforts toward supporting my community are not just personal goals—they are shared and believe in by many others.”

Curry believes that building a better society through passion and kindness is of utmost importance, and will continue to work towards this goal as he prepares for post-secondary.

Having done many activities from organizing food and clothing drives, gardening 500 pounds of food to donate to his local food bank, and being involved in the arts, Curry has contributed an immense amount of time and effort to his local community.

While Martin could not be reached for comment, we congratulate her on her award and wish her success in her post-secondary studies.

Women’s Collective Endowment Fund Grant

This award is designed to use the power of collective philanthropy to nurture and maintain a systemic difference in the status of women and children. 

This year’s recipients are Yulia Elgin’s Russian-speaking Women and Children Empowerment Initiative and the Hillel Lodge Long Term Care Foundation’s Green Thumb Club Horticultural Program.

Elgin, whose work revolves around connecting Russian-speaking women and children to the wider Ottawa Jewish community, builds bridges and tirelessly works to make space for programming to accommodate the growing number of Russian-speaking Jews in the National Capital Region.

“Receiving the WCPP Grant is a meaningful recognition of this work and will allow us to expand our efforts, create more inclusive and culturally relevant experiences, and help more families feel a strong sense of belonging in our Jewish community,” she said.

Offering programs that are designed to meaningfully engage Russian-speaking women and children in the city, some of the programs include “hike together outings,” where mothers and children explore nature and the outdoors, and connect with one another. 

Other programs include cooking classes, holiday celebrations, and informational sessions about life in Ottawa. 
“These gatherings not only celebrate Jewish culture and values, but also help families feel more at home in Ottawa by building friendships, learning new skills, and accessing community resources,” said Elgin.

The Hillel Lodge’s Green Thumb Club Horticultural Program aims to enhance quality of life by providing therapeutic gardening activities. The initiative addresses the need for social engagement and mental well-being while fostering a deeper connection with nature.

“An extra heartfelt thank you to the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation and Women’s Collective Endowment Fund for supporting the Green Thumb Horticultural program,” said Leslie Sher, Executive Director of the Hillel Lodge Long Term Care Foundation.

To learn more about Foundation and these awards, click here