Leadership, legacy, and community impact took centre stage at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s 91st Annual General Meeting (AGM), held last night.

The evening marked a significant leadership transition, as the community honoured outgoing Board Chair Karen Palayew for her exceptional service and warmly welcomed incoming Chair Danya Vered. This also marked President and CEO Adam Silver's first Federation AGM. 

As Palayew ended her tenure as Chair, she shared the ups and downs of what happened locally and globally in the Jewish world and spoke to the importance of the role that Federation continues to play through the good times and the bad. 

Above all, however, is the immense gratitude she feels for having had the opportunity to serve in this role.

“As I reflect on the past two years in my role as Chair of the Board of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, I feel a deep sense of gratitude,” she said. “I value the opportunity I had to work alongside such a dedicated, passionate group of professionals, volunteers, and lay leaders, working tirelessly, often behind the scenes, supporting every aspect of Jewish life in Ottawa. Despite the many challenges, I am in awe of our accomplishments and the extraordinary support, strength and resilience of our community. May we move forward from strength to strength, with hope and prayers for peace."

Vered also reflected on the responsibility she feels in her role as a leader within the Jewish community.

“I grew up surrounded by volunteers who were invested in the infrastructure and institutions of our Jewish community,” she said. “This is what my siblings and I grew up seeing: parents who spent their extra time in service to others, giving a helping hand at an event, or leading a community discussion about kashrut or Jewish education.”

Vered comes from a long line of community leaders, including her father, Arnie Vered z”l, who chaired Va’ad Ha’Ir from 2003-2005, who have inspired her as she undertakes this new role.

“I am grateful for these role models, who said yes to so many volunteer community initiatives that contributed bit by bit to the strength of our community fabric,” she said.

Another highlight of the evening was the recognition of the many individuals making a meaningful impact here in Ottawa and beyond through the presentation of this year’s Community Service Awards.  

The highest honour of the evening, the Gilbert Greenberg Distinguished Leadership Award, was awarded to Linda Kerzner.

Having spent more than 40 years serving the Jewish community, her leadership has been felt across countless organizations and initiatives from local grassroots efforts to national platforms.

She served as Federation Board Chair from 2015 to 2017, co-chaired the annual campaign, and led the community’s first strategic planning process, helping to chart a bold and inclusive future. 

She has also volunteered much of her time at the Soloway JCC, Hillel Ottawa, Hillel Lodge, Jewish Family Services, and the Jewish National Fund, among many others. She continues to serve as a Canadian representative on the Jewish Federations of North America Board of Trustees.

Having worked across generations and supported vulnerable community members, she has led with integrity, warmth, and a clear vision. 

During her acceptance speech, she spoke of her uncle, Hy Hochberg z"l, as one of her biggest inspirations for community involvement. Speaking of his many contributions to the community through leadership roles starting from a very young age, Kerzner was exposed to the importance of giving back from an early age.

“Life only starts when we live on the edge of the unknown,” she said. “We never know what tomorrow will bring, but I am grateful everyday to have the warm arms of our community around me, both here and worldwide, to face all the unknowns with strength.”

This year’s Rabbi Reuven Bulka Shem Tov Community Volunteer Award was given to Esti Fogel and Toby and Joel Yan. The award honours outstanding and active volunteers for their lifetime of service dedicated to the betterment and enrichment of Jewish life in Ottawa. It was recently renamed in honour of Rabbi Bulka z”l.

Fogel founded and currently chairs the Ten Yad of Ottawa, a grassroots, volunteer-run organization dedicated to providing assistance to individuals and families facing acute care situations. 

Ten Yad provides a range of services, including delivering kosher meals, hospital visitations, transportation assistance to family members or caregivers, and coordination of errands and shopping for individuals.

Fogel’s work with Ten Yad exemplifies what it means to give back to your community.

“This award not only serves as an acknowledgement of my achievements but also represents a testament to the tireless efforts of the entire Ten Yad leadership team,” she remarked. “I am moved time and time again by the exceptional generosity of the Ottawa Jewish community who will donate and offer support to those in need, even if they don’t necessarily know who the recipient is.”

The second award was presented to Toby and Joel Yan. 

From leading Oneg Shabbats and holidays celebrations at the Bess and Moe Greenberg Hillel Lodge, to volunteering with Active Jewish Adults (AJA 50+), the Yans have given much of their time and effort back into the community to foster joy, compassion, and Yiddishkeit into the lives of others.

Their generosity shines through in their unwavering support of numerous community organizations, including Jewish Family Services, Tamir, Hadassah-WIZO, and Early Beginnings. Whether offering hands-on help, advocating for causes, or working quietly behind the scenes, the Yans give freely of their time and energy—driven by a profound sense of purpose and a deep love for their community.

“Soon after we moved to Ottawa, Joel joined … B’nai Brith Bytown Lodge where we forged our connection with Hillel Lodge and I became an active member of Canadian Hadassah-WIZO,” said Toby. “We joined a shul, sent our three children to Hillel Academy, and became actively involved in many aspects of the Jewish community. Perhaps our participation in so many agencies would not have happened in a larger centre like Toronto.”

“This involvement we have had in the Ottawa Jewish community over the years has enriched our lives and given us many opportunities to grow as individuals, as a couple, and as a family,” said Joel. 

Finally, Jasmine Kranat won this year’s Freiman Family Young Leadership Award, established in 1988 to honour the Freiman family for their exceptional contributions to Jewish life in Ottawa and across Canada. 

The award recognizes a member of Ottawa’s Jewish community under the age of 40 who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and active involvement.

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

Kranat has done a lot for Jewish communities across Canada and the world. Originally from London, England, she moved to New Brunswick and founded the Atlantic Canada Holocaust Education Foundation (ACHEF) in 2022 and serves on Federation’s Shoah Committee. 

On the day of the AGM, Kranat was unable to attend the event in person to accept her award. She sent in a short speech that was read by Karen Palayew on her behalf.

“I am honoured to have received this award,” she wrote. “Since moving to Ottawa, it has been a true privilege to work alongside a passionate and inspiring community.”  

To learn more about the Community Service Awards, click here

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