Getting to know your Federation Board of Directors

Name: Kevin Barwin  

Profession: Founding Partner – Clariti Group Inc.

• Moved to Canada when I was 7 years old
• Married to Jackie Barwin and have two daughters (Zahava, 25 and Meredith, 22)
• Have two dogs – Rozzie and Oakley (https://www.instagram.com/oakleyandrozzie/) and a pet rabbit named Archie
• My favourite sport is Alpine Touring/Skiing
• “Addicted” to Greco Fitness
• Love to bake/cook especially with gadgets!!
• Served on the board of Habitat for Humanity for 6 years
• Served on the Human Resources Professional Association for 6 years (President for 2)
• Love to travel and explore the world!!

How long have you been on the board?

• Serving my second term – in my third year
• In my second year chairing the Allocations and Evaluation committee
• First year on the Strategic Funding committee

Why did you join the board?

Serving on the Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s Board of Directors is truly an honour. Over the last 26 years, my family has been fortunate to experience the benefits of having a strong Jewish community, from Hillel Academy (now the Ottawa Jewish Community School) to Temple Israel Religious School, SJCC Day Camps and many swimming lessons at the SJCC. I look forward to contributing to the future of a vibrant, welcoming and inclusive community.

My areas of strategic concern: Increasing Jewish engagement

My goals are:

To create opportunities for all to increase their involvement in our amazing Ottawa Jewish community;
To educate myself in the challenges and opportunities to make better decisions in my role on the board;
and to educate friends and family about our community and all that is going on within it and how to get involved.

What is your favourite aspect of the Ottawa Jewish community?

My favourite aspect is learning about all the great things happening in our Ottawa Jewish community.  Past board members told me that the Grants & Evaluations is one of the most interesting volunteer roles in Federation because, through annual meetings with funded agencies and the grant application process, we get to see first-hand the amazing and diverse work of Jewish Ottawa.  With the new strategic funding this past year and next year we have been able to increase the “on-ramps” to the Jewish superhighway and hopefully and successfully increase Jewish engagement.