Example of the impact of a Microgrant on community and education: creation of outdoor classroom for Ganon Preschool:
“Now we can create a space for the children to learn outside. … Learning about the world around them helps children envision what the world is about. It helps a lot with children with exceptionalities who find being confined to a classroom really difficult. It allows them space to run and be free and learn at their own pace.”
• Reesa Shinder, Director Ganon Preschool
Microgrants: Between July 2021 and June 2022, Federation funded 44 unique programs through the Jewish Experience Microgrants program, allocating a total of $77,500 to agencies and individuals in support of creative initiatives that build Jewish life in Ottawa.
The PJ Library program is an important on-ramp on to the Jewish Superhighway. Annually, more than 800 children receive PJ Library books across the Ottawa area. This past year, we welcomed 153 new children to the program.
Enriched Jewish education and learning: There is something for every student through our day schools, Torah Day, and the Ottawa Jewish Community School, and the Ottawa Torah Institute/Machon Sarah; and our supplementary schools, Chabad Hebrew School, Ottawa Modern Jewish School, OTT@KBI, Temple Israel Religious School, and Torah High.
This past year, the five supplementary schools received a total of $105,473 in operating funding supporting 276 students, while the two day schools received $797,566 in operating funds, supporting 306 students.
A gift to the Annual Campaign provides inspired Jewish experiences for all ages, with funding for agencies including: AJA 50+, Chabad Student Network, Hillel Ottawa, Jewish Youth Library Preschool, JET classes,Limmud Ottawa, NCSY Lunch Clubs, Or Haneshamah Machaneh Shabbat, Ottawa Torah Centre classes and workshops, Sephardi Association, and the Soloway JCC.