Ottawa Jewish Community Service Awards

The Jewish Federation of Ottawa annually recognizes our community's outstanding volunteers. This year's recipients will be announced and awarded at Federation's Annual General Meeting on June 25, 2025.

The following awards will be given in 2025:

The Freiman Family Young Leadership Award recognizes a member of the Ottawa Jewish Community aged 40 and under, who has demonstrated proven leadership to the benefit of Ottawa's Jewish community. The award was established in 1988 by the Freiman Family. The recipient of this award also receives the Lawrence Greenberg Young Leadership Development Award.

The Rabbi Reuven Bulka Shem Tov Community Volunteer Award recognizes an outstanding volunteer for a lifetime of service dedicated to the betterment and enrichment of Jewish life in Ottawa. In 2022, this award was renamed in honour of Rabbi Bulka Z"L, who passed away in June 2021. Rabbi Bulka, known as "Canada's Rabbi," was the spiritual leader of Congregation Machzikei Hadas for more than 50 years and was a member of the Order of Canada. He was renowned for tremendous community activism, and for dedicating his life to spreading kindness.

The Gilbert Greenberg Distinguished Leadership Award is the highest tribute which the Ottawa Jewish Community can bestow on an individual, honouring a lifetime of leadership in the Jewish world.

To be considered, nominations must include 2 letters of support, including one from an organization on its letterhead. The nomination must specifically address the award criteria.

Please note that you can save your progress and return to finish completing the form at a later date by scrolling to the bottom and selecting "Save & Continue Later"

Award Criteria:

Freiman Family Young Leadership and Lawrence Greenberg Young Leadership Development Award

must be aged 40 or under
must have volunteer experience in the Ottawa Jewish community within at least the past 3 years, and be currently involved
must have proven leadership abilities, with further potential for growth and involvement
demonstrates the ability to motivate and inspire others
positively impacts Ottawa's Jewish community
click here for further details

Rabbi Reuven Bulka Shem Tov Community Volunteer Award

must be an outstanding and long-serving (minimum 25 years) volunteer in the Ottawa Jewish community, with one or multiple organizations
must have been active within the past 3 years
positively impacts Ottawa's Jewish community
only volunteer service will be considered
click here for further details

Gilbert Greenberg Distinguished Leadership Award

must have volunteered a minimum of 15 years in Ottawa's Jewish community and continue to be an active participant in the community within the last 3 years
leadership resulted in successful community building
held volunteer leadership positions in more than one organization
serves as a mentor and role model for others in the community
positively and profoundly impacted Ottawa's Jewish community
click here for further details

For which award are you submitting a nomination?*

Is the Nominee age 40 or under?*

Is the person you are nominating an active volunteer with at least 15 years of volunteer service in the Ottawa Jewish Community?*

Is the person you are nominating an active volunteer with at least 25 years of volunteer service in the Ottawa Jewish Community?*

Has the person you are nominating been a full-time paid professional for an organization that serves the Ottawa Jewish community?*

This can be someone working for more than one organization for a total of 3 years or more

Who are you nominating?*

For which Jewish Ottawa organization do they currently work?*

Tell us briefly about their volunteer experience in the Ottawa Jewish community, including approximate dates or duration, as well as the name(s) of the organization(s) for which the Nominee has volunteered, and in what capacity:*

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Tell us briefly about their experience as a Jewish Communal Professional in the Ottawa Jewish community, including: approximate dates or duration; name of the organization(s) for which the Nominee has worked; and the Nominee's title and role:*

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In what 2 or 3 ways do they meet the specific criteria of the award? How have they impacted the Ottawa Jewish community, and how have they helped to advance the mission of the agency?*

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Who has directly benefited from the contributions of the Nominee? (Include the number of people impacted, the demographic [seniors, vulnerable, children, etc] and number of organizations or agencies who have benefited.)*

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Briefly describe how you see this person as a role model of inspiration and leadership in our community.*

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Why does this nominee stand out above all other community volunteers?*

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Why does this nominee stand out above all other community professional leaders?*

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Explain how the Nominee is not only exceptional in their professional role, but is someone who makes a significant impact in strengthening Jewish Ottawa. How have they gone above and beyond the expectations of their professional role?*

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Please attach two letters of support for this nominee:

letters of support should offer direct examples that demonstrate how the Nominee has made exceptional contributions to the Ottawa Jewish community
Letters should provide direct examples of the Nominee's active contributions and who they have worked with
At least one letter of recommendation must come, on letterhead, from an organization with which the nominee has volunteered

Upload your letters of support here (maximum 2 files)*

If you have any additional letters of support, or other documents to support this nomination, please upload them here (maximum of 3 additional files)

Your name:*

Email*

example@example.com

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Thank you for nominating someone special in our community!

If you have any questions or problems with this form, please contact rgarshowitz@jewishottawa.com

Application Deadline May 1, 2025