2012 1971 what dreams are made of are what dreams 2012 AnnUAL REPORT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MONTREAL Taking care of tomorrow... today 1971 2012 message from the president and executive director A year ago, we talked a lot about dreams – yours, ours and those Our visioning process has delivered what we hoped it would – who rely on them to live the quality of Jewish life that was built measurable results to stimulate community growth and a on the dreams of others. Our 40th anniversary has provided vibrant future. We are proud to be a partner of the Federation numerous occasions to realize how far we have come. Today, GEn J initiative to build a stronger and better community through we have much to report on the dream front. identity-building programs that support access to quality Jewish education, the camping experience and outreach and engagement Last year, we issued a record-number of 4,500 cheques to almost opportunities. 500 organizations. We distributed almost 24 million in funds to hundreds of social service, educational, religious and community We are reminded every day of the goals simply stated 40 years organizations on behalf of our donors. That is staggering. ago by Arthur Pascal z”l and other leaders like Milly Lande z”l and Boris Levine z”l, who we lost last year, to provide a safety net for It wasn’t all about the money. It was about doing good and helping the future and enhance the quality of Jewish life. others to do good. And in doing that, we fulfilled dreams – for our donors and their beneficiaries. They quietly set out to do their jobs, with passion and conviction, focussing on the future. They inspired others to share their We are so grateful for all the opportunities that brought us dreams. We hope we have sustained their vision and helped together this year. Our annual Book of Life signing event hosted realize their dreams. by Barbi and Stanley Plotnick, was attended by a diverse and enthusiastic group of individuals and families; our B’nai Tzedek Dreams imagined; dreams fulfilled. That is our mandate-and our kids demonstrated their sense of community responsibility and promise to you. did us proud; our annual scholarship presentations connected donors and grateful recipients in what has come to be a most Thank you – our donors, our leadership and our professionals – powerful and emotional demonstration of what a family can do for bringing your dreams to us and for all the Tzedakah you have for others. And our Man of the Year, David Azrieli, showed us the inspired with your example. power of dreams and its ability to bring you through darkness Shana Tovah, and chaos into a meaningful life of making life better for others. We continued to examine the way we do business, focussing a critical lens on all aspects of our operations. We learned a lot from you. Your input will help us do even better when it comes to communicating and serving you in the future. Joel Segal Robert Kleinman FCA President Executive Director 3 Barry, you brought so much to this 1 Foundation: strong leadership, grace, innovation and a positive attitude, no matter what the challenge. - Joel Segal, incoming president 2 3 The Foundation’s Annual Meeting began the yearlong celebration of the dreams of its founders, its honouree and forty years of leadership and growth that continue David you have enriched Jewish lives and transformed to enrich the Montreal Jewish community and represent the vision the landscape of Israel. It is an honour to honour you. and values of its donors. Joel Segal - Joel Segal was installed as president, Brenda Gewurz as vice-president. David Azrieli C.M., CQ, 2011 Man of the Year was recognized for his philanthropic accomplishments Other Meeting Highlights here and in Israel. Total assets of the Foundation grew In his remarks he announced from $ 253 to $ 285 million. the creation of a $1.8 million endowment fund to benefit the $40 million in gifts were received. JCF 40th annual meeting JCF 40th annual Miriam Home. $27 million in allocations were made to benefit the community. new board members include Kathy Lempert, Philip Nadler CA, Gideon 1981 Pollack and Francine Wiseman. Alyssa Wiseman and Adam Shapiro, B’nai Tzedek Council co-chairs, received the Passion for Action award for their outstanding leadership. The work we do at the Foundation is truly, as they say, 4 ‘the stuff dreams are made of’. - Barry Pascal, President 4 Barry, you brought so much to this Foundation: strong leadership, grace, Presented annually by the Foundation’s innovation and a positive attitude, no Professional Advisory Committee (PAC), the matter what the challenge. 2012 program served up a variety of current - Joel Segal, incoming president topics including cross border issues, charitable giving updates and voluntary disclosure and assessment practices; timely issues appealing to practitioners who, as part of their practice, have occasion to work with their clients incorporating philanthropy in their estate plans. Presenters included Abraham Leitner, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, new York; Steve Moses CA, PSB Boisjoli LLP; Sydney Sweibel, Sweibel novek LLP and JCF Executive Director, Robert Kleinman FCA. As in previous years, several professionals were honoured for their successful efforts to encourage bequests and gifts to the Foundation. 1 professional development seminar Together, we have been able to provide unparalleled expertise that serves personal and philanthropic goals. - Rhonda Rudick, PAC co-chair 2 1980 OPPOSITE PAGE 1. Barry Pascal, Alyssa Wiseman 2. Joel Sega, Barry Pascal 3. David Azrieli, Joel Segal 4. Mildred Lande C.M. z”l, Arthur Pascal C.M. z”l THIS PAGE 1. Robert Kleinman FCA, Joel Segal, Sydney Sweibel, Rhonda Rudick, Phil nadler CA, Abe Leitner, Steve Moses CA The work we do at the Foundation is truly, as they say, 2. Hillel Becker, Peter Wolkove, Carl Laxer, Oscar Respitz Q.C., Barry Clamen FCA ‘the stuff dreams are made of’. 3 3. Co-chairs Rhonda Rudick (2nd from left) & Phil nadler CA (far right) with 2012 honourees: Tasso Lagios, Mark Brender, - Barry Pascal, President Barbara novek, Oscar Respitz Q.C., Barry Pascal, Richard Vineberg FCA, Jayne Blumenthal, Seth Dalfen 5 book of life 2012 SIGNERS Shoshana & Joe Chemtob Miriam Cohen Dorothy Dorsey Michael Engels Beverley Friedman nancy Geller Henriette & Marcel Korner Joel Milgram Samuel Orshan Barbi & Stanley Plotnick Jane & Lawrence Plotnick Sid & Miriam Ross Harriet Saalheimer nancy & Moti Sherer Shirley & nathan Wasser 1 No one has to tell you we have an extraordinary community. One read-through of the Book of Life brings our community – and our families – to life. - Joel Segal Since 1993 the Foundation has honoured donors by inviting them to submit their family story. Every year, at the signing evening, families come to officially sign their excerpts. The 2012 event was hosted by Stanley and Barbi Plotnick. Among the Book’s authors – Holocaust survivors, war heroes, self-made entrepreneurs and grateful immigrants who have started new lives in Montreal. 2 At the same time, the Book is a testament to those no longer with us who left an enduring legacy of 2 leadership and Tzedakah. I arrived from Chicago in 1943, the bride of Louis Dorsey. We enjoyed a happy life for over 55 years. … Active in our community, Louis was particularly devoted to the Y, where he was Honourary President and active in sports well into his 80’s! I am proud to have initiated the annual Abramowitz Hadassah Art Auction. - Dorothy Dorsey OPPOSITE PAGE 1. Sam Orshan and friend 2. 1st signers of the Book of Life. Honourary presidents Oscar Respitz Q.C., Barry Clamen FCA, Mildred Lande C.M. z”l, Michael Blumenstein, Sheila Zittrer 3. Joe & Shoshana Chemtob and family THIS PAGE 3 1. 2012 Book of Life Signers 2. Stanley & Barbi Plotnick, Robert Kleinman 3. Dorothy Dorsey 6 1993 1 …My life is a long story about a Jewish boy, who succeeded with God’s help. My wish is 2 to help strengthen Jewish organizations, for future generations… - Sam Orshan book of dreams I moved from Egypt to Montreal at the age of 13… At the age of 25 I met Shoshana Dangoor, an Israeli tourist and, one month later, convinced her to marry me. We had limited language skills, few friends, no money. But we had determination. … - Joe & Shoshana Chemtob 3 7 1 The annual scholarship presentations took place in September to an overflow group of students, parents and donor families. Always a special event, it connects donors and students and puts a face on those in whose memory the scholarship was created. EVELYN JOY ABRAMOWICZ SCHOLARSHIP JACK GITLITZ CA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS Bassia & SASCHA MARMERSTEIN Sigalit Gal FOR STuDY IN ISRAEL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Sarah Berger Richardson Maria Fuller, Kevin Gan THERESE & DAVID BOHBOT SCHOLARSHIPS Elizabeth Moorhouse-Stein Anthony Cimino, Levy Corobow HENRY OELBERG MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Jennifer Elbaz, Kimberly Elbaz HARRY HOPMEYER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Angela Wilson Eli Gershtein, Chana notik Adam Plotkin DR. OSKAR & SALLY SCHICKLER SCHOLARSHIPS Eric Penney, Rebecca Rouimi MITCHELL KARPER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Ana Carina Dumitru, Tania Sasson Samantha Benlolo, David Plotkin Alisa Soukhodolskaia, Yuri Stavchanskyy MANNY WEINER SCHOLARSHIP Debbi Zeituni MITCHELL KARPER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS Florence Mudzongo FOR STuDY IN ISRAEL MARLENE BRAND MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Esther Viragh Bat El Ohayon, Ronnie Ollo MCGILL DEPT. OF JEWISH STuDIES MICKI & NORMAN KEESAL; JACK GITLITZ CA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS BERNICE & GORDON BROWN SCHOLARSHIP SAMuEL POLLACK SCHOLARSHIPS Jessica Erin Meirovici Jonathan Lazare, Michael Schwartz Rebecca Cohn SHEVA & DAVID HONIG SCHOLARSHIP HADAR CHEMTOB MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP HENRIETTE & MARCEL KORNER SCHOLARSHIPS Daniela Carolina Cymberknop Marion Becheri Leehi Yona, Jessica Yudcovitch DR. OSKAR & SALLY SCHICKLER SCHOLARSHIPS FANNY AND ERNEST FIEDERER SCHOLARSHIP LIELA KLINGER KuRTZMAN Bakinaz Khalifa Abdall, Racheli Haliva Elad Emru MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP YEHOSHuA FRIEDMAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS Amanda Beker David Abitan, Olivia Bensimon KAREN E.