Message for the month of January from the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg

As we welcome 2017, I hope you are enjoying our Winnipeg weather or warmer weather down south.

Winnipeg and our Federation have much to be proud of. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight a few of our accomplishments over the last year.

We are partnered alongside multiple faith groups and community organizations for Operation Ezra, our Yazidi refugee relief project. Over the past year, our partnership has advocated for and worked diligently to provide an opportunity for 5 Yazidi families to make Winnipeg their home with more families to join in the coming months.

In 2016, we joined together with Federations across Canada to raise funds for the Fort McMurray Fire Relief and the Israel Fire Emergency Fund. Through the generosity of our local community, over $2,700 went to support the Fort McMurray community and $158,233 to Israel. For a full report on the funds raised for the Israel fires, click here.

As we move forward, I am excited to say that we made changes to our reporting timelines so you get the latest information as soon as possible. Starting this year, we will produce two separate reports on our organization. Our Annual Report, containing our audited financial information, will be available in the early part of the year following our Annual General Meeting. A Case for Giving and honour roll will be available in the fall, coinciding with the launch of the Combined Jewish Appeal Annual Campaign.

With the support of so many people in this caring community, the Combined Jewish Appeal has raised $5.65 million to-date. With your help, we can reach our goal of $5.8 million, to provide the much needed funds to support our local, national, and international partnership agencies and programs. Donate online now.

We continue to reach out and ask for your input into the vision for our community’s future as part of the community planning process. Your input is needed. Only a few weeks left to attend a Community Conversation! Register for one now.

Do you want to know more about what CIJA (The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs) does for you and for us? They want to know what your advocacy needs are; in fact they want to know about what everyone across all Jewish communities in Canada need. Please attend an "in person policy consultation" to help shape our advocacy priorities for 2017 this Sunday morning, January 22 at 9:30 am in the Kanee Foyer, Asper Campus. A light breakfast will be served. RSVP here, or contact Shelley Faintuch with any questions.

We look forward to receiving your nominations for the Kavod Evening awards to be presented on May 17, 2017. Please click here to make a nomination before January 31. Thank you to all of our outstanding community volunteers. Without your energy, dedication and passion for our community, where would we be?

We hope to see you at the following upcoming Federation events: