Freedman to Receive Community’S Highest Honour
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Freedman affair. presented on Wednesday, June 17, at the spent 21 years as part of the Israel “My parents have always been annual general meeting of the Jewish Defense Forces, four years of active involved in leadership roles and charity,” Federation of Ottawa. service and then in the reserves. His rank, Freedman said. “And I certainly was The Freedman family has roots that by the end of his time in the reserves, was inspired by the late Gilbert Greenberg, reach deep within the Ottawa Jewish lieutenant-colonel. who was a friend of our family, and community, Freedman said. “In that sense, giving back and watched him be both a philanthropist “I’m one of the oddballs in Ottawa. The national service is part of the way of life and leader in the Ottawa community.” Freedmans arrived in Ottawa at the latest in Israel.” The award – named for the late Gilbert in 1891,” he explained. “I’m a third Freedman eventually returned to Greenberg, a past president of the Jewish generation born in Ottawa and two of my Ottawa and became involved with the Community Council of Ottawa/Vaad kids are fourth generation, which makes Jewish community here. HOWARD SANDLER Ha’Ir (now the Jewish Federation of us oddballs. There are not many of us The late Gerry Levitz recruited Jonathan Freedman, Gilbert Greenberg Distinguished Service Award Ottawa), who exemplifi ed the qualities of who have been around that long.” See Freedman on page 2 Flo Morgan: ‘The community’s been good to us; we just have to give back’ BY MONIQUE ELLIOT where they raised their three sons. Academy, and also taught Yiddish at If you have the opportunity to make “I think I got into volunteering because Akiva School. someone else’s day just a little bit I didn’t know anybody and that was a Morgan served as president of the brighter, you should take it, said Flo good way to meet people,” she said. “I’ve Agudath Israel Congregation Sisterhood Morgan, the 2015 recipient of the Shem always enjoyed what I’ve done and I just and treasurer of Negev Chapter of Tov Community Volunteer Award. fi nd that people are lovely. I’ve enjoyed Canadian Hadassah-WIZO and has been The award, which recognizes an my volunteer time.” a dedicated volunteer with AJA 50+ since outstanding volunteer who, through An eternal mother-fi gure, Morgan has its inception, serving as registrar for the many years of service, has contributed to helped guide and support the commun- organization and its programs for Jewish the enrichment of Jewish life in Ottawa, ity, at all ages and stages, as it has adults over 50. will be presented Wednesday, June 17, at continued to grow and mature through Morgan, who spoke Yiddish at home the annual general meeting of the Jewish the years. while growing up, said she also enjoys MONIQUE ELLIOT Federation of Ottawa. She taught Yiddish and Jewish history visiting Hillel Lodge and speaking and Flo Morgan, Shem Tov Morgan, a native of Winnipeg, moved at Ottawa Modern Jewish School for 28 singing to the residents. Community Service Award to Ottawa in 1968 with her husband, years, was a substitute teacher at Hillel See Morgan on page 2 Elizabeth Greenberg refl ects King David on trial in Ottawa OneFamily Fund launches inside: on March of the Living > p. 13 for Goliath’s murder > p. 15 special cookbook > p. 24 World Class Outsourcing ... and more! 613-744-6444 613-244-7225 Providing quality service 613-744-5767 613-244-4444 to the National Capital Region Publication Mail Agreement No. 40018822 since 1947! www.boydgroup.on.ca 2 May 26, 2015 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Howard Fremeth, a pillar of the emerging generation, to receive Freiman Family Award BY MONIQUE ELLIOT Ottawa Jewish community’s emerging become more involved with the Volunteerism, work, and family: Howard generation; even now, with family life community. Fremeth, the recipient of the 2015 dominating his after-work schedule. “In your 20s, you have more free time Freiman Family Young Leadership “You get so busy, especially when you to do that kind of stuff,” both going to Award, knows how to connect all three to just become a dad, and you’re not going events and volunteering, he said of his make a life meaningful. to Glebe Shul Friday night dinners or own increasingly busy schedule. The award, established in 1988 by the young adult, emerging gen, post-Yom Fremeth said he hopes more events Freiman family, recognizes a community Ha’Atzmaut parties [because] your organized through PJ Library can help member under the age of 40 for his or her schedule is totally different,” he said. connect or reconnect more new parents exceptional volunteerism and service to But, he added, organizing an event for into the Jewish social scene and create the Ottawa Jewish community. young fathers (and mothers) is doable lasting relationships. Fremeth, 34, has been a pillar of the with the right planning and mindset. “For this demographic, it’s probably community’s emerging generation, The pinball machines and arcade one of the best things out there,” he said. connecting young professionals of all games at the House of Targ bar was a After signing up for the free books, he backgrounds and affi liations through defi nite draw for the dads, bringing out said “it’s great to go to the next level and initiatives like jnet, a grassroots organiza- about 30 people to a recent Dad’s Night meet other people in the community. It tion he founded in 2008 that hosts events Out event organized in part through the reminds me a lot of the stuff we did with Howard Fremeth, Freiman Family and offers mentorship for new arrivals to Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s Emerging jnet a few years ago.” Young Leadership Award Ottawa. Generation Division. Fremeth added he hopes others will The young father, who is director of Fremeth said it is highly satisfying to also help build on existing structures and communications at the Embassy of Israel host successful events, but it is even organizations in order to keep empow- volunteer awards are presented during in Ottawa, and was a founding board more meaningful to know that he is ering the emerging generation. the annual general meeting of the member of the Glebe Shul, said he is helping to organize these kinds of events Fremeth will be in Israel attending the Jewish Federation of Ottawa on June 17, passionate about connecting the some- for young parents so they can connect Keren Hayesod-UIA 2015 World so he’s expected to speak via pre- times fragmented members of the more strongly with their peers and Conference when the community recorded video. Freedman: ‘Being chair of Federation was a great honour’ Continued from page 1 At the national level, Freedman “If we’re doing a good job, it all looks Rally on Parliament Hill in 2002, which Freedman to serve on the Vaad board represented Ottawa on the boards of very easy. For the people on the inside, stand out for him. before it became the Jewish Federation of Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, the we’re at it every day,” he said. “It’s those events that are special,” Ottawa. He served on the Vaad and Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Refl ecting on his years of community he said. Federation boards for several years, most Committee, and the Centre for Israel and service, Freedman said it is meaningful “Being able, as chair, to go out and see notably as Federation chair from 2007 to Jewish Affairs. moments, such as hearing the Tamir how diverse our agencies are, and the 2009. Freedman currently serves as chair of Choir sing, or seeing the community different works that they’re doing, and “Being chair of Federation was a great both Hillel Ottawa and Jewish Memorial coming together at events and rallies, how broad a swath of the community we honour and a very interesting position,” Gardens. especially the Stand with Israel Solidarity touch, is very, very exciting.” he said. Morgan: ‘She’s a bubbie to so many people’ Readers and advertisers Continued from page 1 volunteered at CHEO for more than 40 community, there was always that are advised “You sing songs and you bring a smile years, and at the Ottawa Public Library in dedication to family and the Jewish the next edition to their faces. It’s a good feeling,” she Centrepointe. holidays. It was all very important … She said.