This year, the city of Ottawa is celebrating its 200th anniversary. What started as an unassuming lumber town grew into a strategic location along the Rideau Canal and eventually was chosen by Queen Victoria to be Canada’s capital.

In honour of this milestone, the city handed out commemorative coins to those in the community who are making a difference through their leadership and involvement.

Jewish Ottawa was well-represented in this contingent, with leaders from the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and beyond being recognized for their contributions.

From Federation, David Sachs (Director, Advocacy & Government Relations), Danya Vered (Chair of the Board), and Adam Silver (former President & CEO) received coins during a ceremony at City Hall from Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Councillor Rawlson King.

“This is a recognition of Federation's work representing our community, ensuring our voice is heard, and that antisemitism is recognized as a threat to the whole Ottawa community,” said Sachs. “What we do is more than advocacy. It's the hard work of finding solutions and working with Ottawa institutions to implement them. When we see the representation of so many members of our community for this award, it's a great illustration of how much the Jewish community contributes to the fabric of Ottawa.”

Furthermore, Rabbi Idan Scher from Congregation Machzikei Hadas received a coin for the work he does representing the Ottawa Jewish community both locally and nationally.

For Rabbi Scher, receiving this honour was deeply personal, as his grandfather received the same coin only months prior.

“There was something truly special about receiving this [honour],” Rabbi Scher said in a social media post. “To receive the same coin and to have the opportunity in my own way to continue a legacy that my grandfather began long before I arrived here … is pretty special.”

Other Jewish community members who have been recognized with this honour include Michael Polowin, Rabbi Menachem Blum of the Ottawa Torah Centre, and Lianne Laing.

If you know somebody else in the Ottawa Jewish community that we’ve missed, please send their names and a photo to Ethan Rode, Communications and Social Media Specialist, at [email protected] for a chance to have them featured on social media.

See some pictures of Jewish Ottawans receiving their coins below:

Danya Vered

Adam Silver

Rabbi Idan Scher

Michael Polowin