The Jewish National Fund of Canada – Manitoba/Saskatchewan Regional Branch is pleased to announce that Robert “Bob” Freedman will be the 2015 Negev Gala honouree.
 
“Our branch is extremely pleased that Bob will be our honouree for the 2015 Negev Gala”, stated regional president Karla Berbrayer. “He has done so much to foster a strong and united community in order to provide for the culture, continuity, spirituality, survival and welfare of Jewish life.”
 
The soon to be retired CEO of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg was hired in 1986 and is widely regarded as the visionary leader of the Winnipeg Jewish community. Before joining the Federation, Freedman served as the executive director of Legal Aid Manitoba (1979-86). Mr. Freedman has an extensive record of national and local community service, including leadership positions with B’nai Brith Central Canadian Council, Winnipeg Board of Jewish Education, Winnipeg Jewish Community Council and Main Street Project as well as board member duties with Manitoba Immigration Council, St. Boniface General Hospital and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.
 
“ I am truly humbled to be included among the outstanding leaders of our community who have been honoured by JNF over the years”, remarked Freedman. “My family and I wish to thank everyone in our outstanding community for their support and encouragement. We very much look forward to the event next year.”
 
Mr. Freedman’s considerable achievements include the Harry Silverberg Young Leadership Award (1981) and the UIA/Federations Canada “Chai” Award (2003) in recognition of his dedication and commitment to strengthen Jewish life and Jewish identity in Canada, Israel and throughout the world. In 1997, the Asper Jewish Community Campus recognized his significant involvement in the conception, planning, implementation and capital campaign, which helped bring the Campus into being.
 
 Founded in 1901, the Jewish National Fund has evolved into a global environment leader, planting over 240 million trees, constructing more than 250 reservoirs & dams and developing over 250,000 acres of land while creating more than 1000 parks and providing stable infrastructure for over 1000 communities.
 The Negev Gala has honoured outstanding leaders from within the Winnipeg community since 1953. This gala is the Jewish National Fund’s most important fundraising event of the year. All proceeds generated are directed to environmental research and development projects in the State of Israel.
 
For more information please contact Rob Berkowits, Executive Director of JNF Manitoba/Saskatchewan at 204.947.0207 or [email protected].