The Simkin Centre, under the leadership of the current chair Dr. Ted Lyons, is now a beneficiary of the Jewish Federation, David Gisser, Chair of the Federation’s Planning Committee, reported to the Federation's Annual General meeting on December 10, 2013.
For many years the Simkin Centre Board proved resistant to becoming a beneficiary of the Federation as it involves showing its financial records to the Federation, which it preferred not to do. Gisser noted that the amount of money that will be allocated to the Simkin Centre by the Federation is relatively small - from about $10-15,000. The sum is intended to be used for the purpose of “topping up” Jewish activities at the Centre. It is really a “symbolic gesture”, Gisser added
Editor's comment: I am wondering whehter this development is the carefully planned work of CEO of the Jewish Federation Bob Freedman. Was it Bob who gently encouraged two former Federation Presidents (Dr.Ted Lyons, chair) and Jonathon Kroft (Vice-Chair) to get on the Board of the Simkin Centre, and carefully work on steering the Board into the Federation fold? Neil Duboff, another former Federation President also joined the Simkin Board. Is it just an interesting co-incidence that three former Federation Presidents happened to join the Simkin Board after what can only be described as a couple of very turbulent years at the Simkin Centre following the death of Lillian Peck? My hunch is that this is no accident. And in fact, it is a very positive development. Well done, Bob! (and Shirley!).