Message from the CEO of the Jewish Federation Elaine Goldstine: December 2019

Site Search:

| |

RSS

Message from the CEO of the Jewish Federation Elaine Goldstine: December 2019

By Elaine Goldstine, Dec 11, 2019

Dear Community Members,

It has been an exciting and successful year at Federation. There is a sense of renewal and growth, as we strive to continually meet the needs of our community.

I would like to thank our board members, committee members, donors, community members and staff. Your support and presence has been an integral part of our success in the past year and will continue to be in the future.

As of today, the Combined Jewish Appeal campaign is at $5,007,302 and we are on our way to our $6 million goal. Thank you to all of our donors and volunteers! Help us reach $6 million by clicking here.

The Community Forward report, which outlines the plans for the future of Winnipeg’s Jewish community, is ready to be implemented based on the priorities identified in the Community Conversations and Community Forward plan. See the full report here.

We continue to create opportunities for people to create meaningful connections in Jewish spaces through education and engagement programs such as Shabbat at Home, Shalom Baby Showers, and the Pride Shabbat Dinner. PJ Library celebrated 10 years of providing Jewish-themed books to 840 children in our community, and also launched PJ Our Way, which is the next chapter of PJ Library aimed at children 8-12 years of age.

GrowWinnipeg continues to assist newcomers in the immigration and integration process, who become meaningful contributors to our economic and social fabric of Winnipeg. Each year, over 200 volunteers host families, share their experiences and provide advice regarding moving to Winnipeg. This year, we received many requests to immigrate from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and Uruguay. Promotional efforts are underway to attract immigration from Argentina, Brazil and Turkey, due to increasing political uncertainty and hardship.

March of the Living launched a “20 for 20 campaign” with a goal of having 20 Winnipeggers join the March in 2020. Due to extensive fundraising efforts, the trip’s price was reduced by $2,000 per person. Currently, 23 participants are signed up for the trip. In addition, we are planning an adult trip to Poland and Israel in October 2020 with other communities across Canada. If you are interested in participating, please contact Mara Pellettieri.

We had a record number of participants in Birthright Israel trips, with 63 young adults from the ages of 26-32 participating in this program. Hillel saw an increase in participation from students, with 210 students actively engaged through diverse programming throughout the year. Our Young Adult Division also saw an overall increase in engagement.

As in previous years, our community will be coordinating a blood drive from December 16-21. Please see here to find out how you can help save lives at a time when blood donations are at their lowest throughout the year.

This year, two very notable members retired from our board – Abby Morris and Gustavo Zentner, both of whom have contributed immeasurably to our community. Thank you both for the many years of service you have dedicated to the Federation and our community.

Thank you to outgoing President Laurel Malkin for her exemplary leadership and service to the Federation and our community over the past two years. Under her leadership, the Federation and our community have continued to flourish and her dedication to her position was beyond reproach.

I would also like to welcome Joel Lazer as our new President. I know that the community will be in good hands under his capable leadership. To the new Board of Directors, I wish you well.

I am very proud of all that has been accomplished and look forward to what the future has in store for our community.

Sincerely,

Elaine Goldstine
Chief Executive Officer

-------------------------------

Events
Save the Date for these upcoming events!