Now more than ever, the Jewish community needs strong allies across the broader community. Antisemitism cannot be addressed in isolation; it is confronted through education, awareness, and a shared understanding of how it affects Jewish people everywhere.

The Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s Advocacy team works across multiple sectors to ensure that the concerns and experiences of Jewish Ottawa are heard by decision-makers and community leaders. Central to this work is building partnerships that expand understanding beyond the Jewish community itself.

One example of this approach is Federation’s collaboration with United Way of Eastern Ontario’s United for All program. Through this initiative, United Way recently hosted a breakfast at the Soloway JCC, in partnership with Jewish Family Services of Ottawa (JFS), Family Services Ottawa, and the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre (EORC). The event brought together more than 50 social service executives from across the region, with Federation invited to speak about antisemitism.

At the breakfast, Jodi Green, Federation’s Advocacy and Interfaith Relations Specialist, spoke about the alarming rise in hate crime in Ottawa, the historical roots of antisemitism, and the many ways antisemitism can present itself today. The discussion also included practical guidance for therapists on how to be sensitive when working with Jewish clients.

“It is important for social service professionals working with Jewish clients to understand that while a presenting issue may not relate to their Jewishness, antisemitism may be impacting them in ways they cannot or are not articulating,” said Green.

For many in attendance, the presentation was eye-opening. Several executives shared that they had not realized how serious the situation in Ottawa had become and expressed interest in bringing the training to their own organizations to better support Jewish clients.

“I was relieved to see the interest from my colleagues across the sector,” said Sarah Caspi, the Executive Director at JFS. “Many organizations have reached out about additional trainings and have connected with me and my colleagues who helped organize this event.”

The breakfast was part of United Way’s United for All program, supported by the Solicitor General’s Safer and Vital Communities (SVC) Grant. The program has hosted events, workshops, and learning opportunities designed to empower community leaders to address all forms of hate, including antisemitism.

Federation is also a recipient of this grant and is working in partnership with the Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship (CHES) to deliver specialized antisemitism training.

“We have engaged a communications firm to help create a program that will offer customized antisemitism training for different target audiences, recognizing that groups have varying levels of understanding when it comes to identifying and addressing antisemitism and hate crime,” explained Pauline Colwin, Federation’s VP of Communications. “This initiative builds on Federation’s broader efforts to enhance safety and security, while strengthening education, awareness, and allyship across the wider community.”

This breakfast is just one of many initiatives led by Federation’s Advocacy team, as conversations and partnerships continue to grow across the city.

Federation’s advocacy work is also supported by the Community Engagement Advisory Committee (CEAC), an ad hoc advisory body operating under the auspices of the Federation’s Board of Directors. CEAC was created to develop recommendations and implement approaches that increase engagement with non-Jewish allies. 

Since its launch, CEAC has convened five targeted parlour meetings, engaging almost 100 non-Jewish leaders and allies in meaningful dialogue. These efforts have already resulted in increased awareness, strengthened relationships, and a growing network of informed allies willing to stand with the Jewish community. 

As part of CEAC’s efforts, Federation Board member Jessica Greenberg has organized parlour meetings with professionals in the real estate sector. Engaging this audience is particularly meaningful to Greenberg, both because it is her field and because the statistics have been shocking to many of her colleagues.

“It is so important to remember that while our community is experiencing some of the worst antisemitism in recent memory, that reality is not as clear to those on the outside,” she said. “While we are feeling this so deeply, antisemitism isn’t on other people’s radars the way it is on ours.”

Greenberg emphasized that there are more allies than many may realize, and that the key is engaging them and keeping the conversations going.

As these initiatives show, meaningful change happens when education, partnership, and lived experience come together. Community members who would like to be part of Federation’s advocacy efforts and help advance this work are invited to contact Jodi Green at [email protected].