The Jewish Federation of Ottawa is inviting everyone in our community to help chart our collective future. As part of the strategic planning process now underway, your voice is needed — whether you connect with Jewish Ottawa through Federation, a synagogue, a school, or any other organization. We are calling on the community to attend the upcoming Town Hall and consultation and ensure your experiences, hopes, and concerns help guide the path forward.

Federation is working with CORIPHERY, a Toronto-based consulting firm specializing in Jewish organizations, to gather broad input and ensure the process is inclusive. Founder and Chief Experience Officer Tamara Rebick explains that CORIPHERY views communities as ecosystems, where each person plays a unique and essential role.

"It is really about asking where one sees themselves in the ecosystem," Rebick said. "Whether people are participating through Federation, through a house of worship, or another part of the community, everyone is doing something that makes up an integral part of how the community works."

True to its name — a blend of “core” and “periphery” — CORIPHERY’s mission is to break down perceived barriers between insiders and outsiders, creating transparency and stronger connections community-wide.

During their first visit in late January, Rebick and her colleagues Arielle Branitsky and Cara Gold met with Federation staff to explore the "core" of Jewish Ottawa. They noted that while many people engage with Federation programs, there is often limited awareness of the full scope of Federation’s work — including its vital role in funding and supporting other Jewish organizations across the city.

Through staff-wide exercises and small group conversations, nearly 80 interviews with community leaders, Jewish communal professionals and community members, and five focus groups, the consultants gathered valuable insights and perspectives, which will inform early findings shared at the March 31 Community Consultation and Town Hall.

As part of this engagement, the wider community was also invited to share their thoughts through an online survey, now closed. Hundreds of voices were captured in this way, helping to provide a broad picture of what matters most to Jewish Ottawa.

"We have conducted a thorough and robust discovery phase, and the Federation has heavily invested in trying to reach the maximum voices and experiences that make up Jewish Ottawa," said Rebick. "One theme is indisputable and that is the diverse Jewish community of Ottawa is strong, proud and passionate about its present and ensuring a strong future."

While it is too early to share survey results, the emerging trends will be part of the discussion at the Town Hall.
"Community members attending the town hall can expect to gain insight into the overall strategic planning process, learn about preliminary themes emerging from the research, and engage in an interactive digital feedback loop that will welcome reflections and responses to the early findings presented," said Rebick.

The Town Hall is a crucial opportunity to have your voice heard — by both the consultants and Federation. Feedback gathered at this event will be directly incorporated into the strategic plan, ensuring the community’s future is shaped by those who live it every day.

For those unable to attend, CORIPHERY will return several more times to gather input from across the community. The final strategic plan will be publicly shared in June.

Now is the time to get involved. Together, we can build a strong, vibrant future for Jewish Ottawa.

Please register for the Town Hall here