The Jewish Federation of Ottawa is launching its 2027 Annual Community Campaign under the theme “Here for Good. Here for All.” At its heart is Federation’s role as a catalyst for ideas and programs, a convener that brings people and organizations together, and a connector that strengthens relationships across our community.

This year, the Campaign is being co-chaired by Leila Ages and Ian Sherman. 

Ages, who is returning for her third year in this role, says she is looking forward to continuing the work.

“I truly enjoy this work,” she said. “I felt that an additional year would allow me to build on everything and apply what I’ve learned over the last two years, making my contribution in this role even more meaningful and effective, and I am also thrilled to get the opportunity to co-chair the Campaign with Ian.”

Sherman, who is entering his first year as Campaign co-chair, is stepping into this role with years of supporting Jewish communities under his belt. A longtime community leader and former Federation Board chair, Sherman said he was surprised when he received the call asking him to take on the role. 

“Federation is, at the core, working with our amazing beneficiary agencies and numerous program partners in the community, and is the engine behind it,” he said. “I recognized very quickly that it was important to continue to lead, and so I felt both honoured and blessed to have been asked to work alongside Leila this year.”

A gift to Federation, Ages explained, is a critical investment in the many ways Jewish life is supported in Ottawa today.

A gift “works to sustain and strengthen our community for the future,” she said. “All donors gain ownership and a vested interest in the continued vibrancy and stability of our shared community.”

This sentiment was echoed by Sherman, who emphasized the Jewish value of l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation, as being his mantra when it comes to showing up for the Jewish community.

The work he does “is because of all the efforts of those who came before us and those who will come after us,” he explained. “L’dor v’dor is not just a slogan, it is something that needs to be actualized. It is both our responsibility and an obligation, and I look forward to the many conversations with individuals and families who also cherish these principles.”

The J-Now young adult co-chairs, Elisabeth Levin and Aliza Itskovich, are also looking forward to getting involved. 
For Levin, who first co-chaired the Campaign last year, continues to feel a deep sense of duty and pride in this work and is looking forward to continuing to serve the community in this way.

“When we talk about young adults, we often hear that we are the future of the community,” she explained. “But we are a part of the community right now, so there is no time like the present to show up and get involved.”

Levin credits having done Federation’s young adult leadership program J-Fellows with giving her the confidence to step up and represent her peer group. 

“What I’ve realized during my time as young adult co-chair is that there’s an appetite within the young adult community to get involved. Our focus this year is to bring people back into the fold who may not have been involved in a long time or may have never been before.”

That is part of the thinking behind the relaunch of J-Now, which aims to create more opportunities for young adults to connect, participate and take leadership roles in Jewish Ottawa.

This year is the first time that Itskovich will be serving as young adult co-chair. She says she got involved out of a need to get connected with more likeminded people.

“I wanted to cultivate my own sense of belonging,” she said. “Getting involved in young adult life in Ottawa was the way for me to do it.”

Building this sense of belonging has been instrumental in Itskovich finding her place in Jewish Ottawa. 

The impact of that giving can also be seen across generations. Whether through Jewish day and supplementary schools, PJ Library, Hillel Lodge, Jewish Family Services, or the many other programs and agencies powered by Federation, community members can help support the continuity of these agencies.

The 2027 Annual Community Campaign, together with J-Now’s young adult campaign, is an invitation to take part in that work, whether through volunteering, leadership, or philanthropy.

To learn more and to be a part of this year’s Campaign, click here.