How Your Dollars Built Community in 2021 How Your Dollars Built Community in 2021

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU
FROM OUR LEADERSHIP

When UJA launched our Emergency Campaign for Community Resilience in the spring of 2020, few could have predicted how long this pandemic would last.

Numerous impacts of this global catastrophe persisted into 2021, bringing heightened challenges for our Greater Toronto Jewish community in the areas of food insecurity, mental health, and fragile access to Jewish programming. Additionally, the rise of antisemitism in the wake of Hamas’ terror attacks on Israel in May revealed how much the landscape had shifted in Canadian society. With it came a recognition that our work in this area must be adapted and strengthened, with the goal of ensuring Canada remains a secure and welcoming home for Jews.


As the community’s needs shifted, we launched UJA’s Rally for Recovery—our 2021 Annual Campaign—to build a foundation for Toronto Jewry to emerge stronger and better from this period of adversity. Just as our donors stepped up in 2020, you rose to the challenge in 2021. Our community’s ability to walk the road to recovery is only possible thanks to generous community members who donate their time and dollars. On behalf of the thousands of Jews here in Greater Toronto and around the world who are counting on the Annual Campaign, thank you for your dedicated support.

In this report, we share a window into where your dollars go, how you are making an impact across the range of communal priorities, and a few of the stories of community members whose lives have been transformed by this work. We hope you find the report to be an inspiring reminder of what our community is capable of accomplishing when we unite in moments of need.

We place a high premium on the trust our donors put in UJA. That trust has enabled us to mount a comprehensive, community-wide response that has been essential these past two years. Please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of the UJA team at any time if you have questions or would like further information about our work, our allocations, and our impact. There is much more work to be done to address the enduring effects of the pandemic and the rise of antisemitism. Furthermore, the crisis in Ukraine calls for our continued support for the country’s Jews at this time of acute need, as a part of our core responsibility to assist vulnerable Diaspora communities. Your investment in UJA enables us to meet these pressing challenges of today, while building a stronger community for the future. We are confident we will continue to do so in 2022 and well beyond, with your generous support.

Thank you for your dedication to our shared mission.

Sincerely,

Craig Walters
Co-Chair, Annual
Campaign, 2021

Leanne Matlow
Co-Chair, Annual
Campaign, 2021

Perri Kirshenblatt
Chair, Women’s
Philanthropy, 2021


Adam Minsky
President & CEO

Sara Lefton
Chief Development Officer


Corner Piece

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KOSHER MEALS ON WHEELS SERVED

THOUSANDS OF CLIENTS SERVED WITH MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS

27,000+ VOLUNTEER HOURS DONATED THROUGH UJA GENESIS

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CLIENTS SERVED BY UJA-FUNDED SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES

Corner Piece

9 WAYS YOU’RE LEADING OUR RECOVERY

You stepped up when our future was on the line. Let’s take a look at the power of your generosity.


A Woman posing for the camera

1

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KOSHER MEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERED

through UJA-funded programs

2

4,700+ VOLUNTEERS

gave over 27,000 hours of service to our community through UJA Genesis

3

THOUSANDS OF CLIENTS SERVED VIA MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS

for women facing domestic violence, individuals living with addiction, families in crisis, and more

4

JEWISH DAY SCHOOL ENROLMENT INCREASED

for the second year in a row, after nearly two decades of decline

5

OVER 200 COMMUNITY MEMBERS TRAINED

and 100 Jewish institutions supported through UJA Community Security

6

$0.53 IN MATCHING FUNDS

on average for every dollar raised, thanks to government grants, private philanthropy, and other strategic partnerships

7

OVER $1,000,000 RAISED IN SUPPORT FOR ISRAELIS

following the 2021 Hamas terror attacks, through the Walk with Israel Crisis Response Fund

8

JEWISH OVERNIGHT CAMPS REOPENED & WELCOMED 3,300+ KIDS

in 2021, many of whom received UJA-funded financial aid

9

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CLIENTS SERVED BY UJA-FUNDED SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES

accessing supports such as financial aid, interest-free loans for essentials, employment services, programs for children and adults living with disabilities, and much more

A Man posing for the camera
A Woman posing for the camera
A Man posing for the camera

SINCE 2020, WE’VE CARRIED
OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH CRISIS, TOGETHER


IN 2021, YOUR GIFT SET US ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

As the challenges we faced during the pandemic evolved, so too did our strategy. In 2021, we focused on three key priorities essential for our community’s recovery:


Supporting Jews still struggling in our local community. As the pandemic has gone on, food insecurity and mental health challenges have skyrocketed. In 2021, we worked to continue strengthening our Jewish social safety net with a particular focus on food relief and mental health supports.

An elderly woman

Mobilizing our community to counter antisemitism. Hamas’ terror attacks on Israelis last May sparked a wave of hate worldwide. In 2021, just as we bolstered our support for Israelis suffering from trauma, we strengthened community security in the GTA and moved forward with a robust strategy to push back against the rise of antisemitism.

A young man

Safeguarding access to Jewish life. Through much of 2021, access to in-person programming remained impossible. Combined with the financial effects of the pandemic on many families, an entire generation of young people is at risk of seeing their Jewish identity erode. In 2021, we continued working to ensure as many as possible could return to Jewish programs, and that every child and teen has opportunities to grow in their Jewish identity.

A little girl

YOUR GIFT IS A STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN OUR RECOVERY


Confronting a once-in-a-century pandemic and the rise of antisemitism are no small tasks. While there are many ways to make a difference, your investment in UJA’s work is uniquely impactful in bringing out the very best of our community to advance a unified strategy to address these threats. Why?

We have a big-picture perspective and community-wide reach. We support and strengthen over 100 Jewish institutions in Toronto, Israel, and around the world. This enables us to take on complex, community-wide issues that no one organization can deal with alone, like poverty, antisemitism, and Jewish identity.

We deliver a comprehensive strategy to protect and grow our community. We have a unique ability to meet the holistic needs of the community today while building a strong foundation for the future.

We have an exceptional capacity to move rapidly to address massive and urgent crises. The pandemic demonstrated that, with the generous support of our donors, we can lead the Jewish world in meeting the most pressing needs of the moment.

2020-2021
GRANT DISTRIBUTIONS*


Graph of grant distributions

$21.2M (32.5%)

Strengthening Jewish Education


$13.8M (21.1%)

Building Connections With Israel & Supporting Global Jewish Communities in Need


$9.9M (15.2%)

Strengthening Jewish Identity


$15.5M (23.7%)

Fighting Poverty & Improving Well-Being


$4.9M (7.5%)

Countering Antisemitism, Improving Community Security & Jewish Advocacy (CIJA)



*Our 2020-21 grant distributions include allocations funded by annual and emergency gifts to the 2020 Campaign, which raised a total of $86.4 million. Given the multi-year impact of the pandemic on our community, emergency funds from the 2020 Campaign are being strategically allocated on a multiyear basis. Further emergency allocations will be made in fiscal year 2021-22 and will be reported on in next year’s Impact Report.

DISCOVER YOUR IMPACT THROUGH UJA:


Poverty
Identity


Security
Israel

8 THINGS WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT

The pandemic isn’t over and we still have many challenges. But new opportunities and milestones are on the horizon for this Jewish community we all love. Here are eight things we’re looking forward to.


1

WE’RE GETTING READY TO CELEBRATE ISRAEL’S 75TH IN APRIL 2023

UJA’s community-wide mission to Israel for its 75th anniversary will be an unforgettable experience, including a special Yom HaZikaron memorial and Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration. For more information, please contact Keren Levy, Missions Department Manager, at klevy@ujafed.org.

2

MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER AND BUILD COMMUNITY

In 2022, UJA Genesis will continue engaging thousands of volunteers, from our youngest community members to our oldest, supporting critical causes like food insecurity, the fight against antisemitism, and more. Learn more at UJAGenesis.com.

3

EXPLORE JEWISH LIFE AT YOUR LOCAL JCC

With the recent reopening of the Prosserman JCC, all three UJA-funded JCCs—including the Miles Nadal JCC and the Schwartz/Reisman Centre—are expected to be open from January to December in 2022. Connect with community and explore Jewish life through these stunning centres!

4

EMPOWERING COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS TO COUNTER ANTISEMITISM

Enabling more community members to play an active role in this crucial cause is a key focus of UJA’s new Strategic Plan. In 2022, keep an eye out for new tools and opportunities to make an impact. Learn more at jewishtoronto.com/strategic-plan.

5

THE OPENING OF THE NEW TORONTO HOLOCAUST MUSEUM IN 2023

This state-of-the-art museum in the Sheff Family Building will inspire visitors to think deeply about the tragedies of the Shoah and to make connections between the Holocaust, the current rise of antisemitism, and other contemporary issues. Learn more at HolocaustCentre.com.

6

A NEW, COMMUNITY-WIDE MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE FROM UJA

In response to the enormous mental health challenges that have emerged during the pandemic, UJA will be launching a new initiative in partnership with Jewish Family and Child Service. Our mental health empowerment program will train Jewish community workers and volunteers to serve as an “early warning system,” equipping them to reach out and support those in their midst who need help, and in turn connect them with vital mental health services.

7

JOIN THE WALK WITH ISRAEL...IN PERSON!

We’re excited to share that the Walk with Israel will return to its roots as an in-person celebration. Join thousands of community members as we show the world Toronto’s solidarity and love for Israel!

8

BACK TO SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER 2022 WITH HILLEL ONTARIO

To help keep Jewish students safe, Hillel Ontario is relaunching an online incident reporting platform, whichallows students and members of the community to report antisemitism on campus directly to Hillel professionals. Hillel Ontario is working hard to combat antisemitism and ensure Jewish life thrives on campus.

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS FOR THEIR GENEROSITY AND SUPPORT

List of sponsors List of sponsors

WE SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN 100+ AFFILIATED SCHOOLS & AGENCIES

UJA FEDERATION PARTNER AGENCIES*, PROGRAMS, & DEPARTMENTS

Ashkenaz Foundation

Bernard Betel Centre for Creative Living

Beth Chabad Israeli Community Centre

BBYO

Chai-Tikvah Foundation

Circle of Care

Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company

Hillel Ontario

Jewish Addiction Community Services

Toronto (JACS)

Jewish Family and Child Service of Greater Toronto (JF&CS)

Jewish Free Loan Toronto

Jewish Immigrant Aid Services (JIAS) Toronto

Jewish Moroccan Community of Toronto

Jewish Russian Community Centre (JRCC)

Jewish Vocational Services (JVS) Toronto

Kayla’s Children Centre

Kehilla Residential Programme

Koffler Centre of the Arts

Limmud FSU

Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre

Prosserman Jewish Community Centre

RAJET – Ameinu

Reena Schwartz/Reisman Centre

Toronto Hebrew Memorial Parks

Toronto Jewish Film Foundation

The House


JEWISH EDUCATION, TORONTO

Julia and Henry Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Education

David & Syma Forberg Media Centre


UJA FEDERATION OF GREATER TORONTO

Committee for Yiddish

Diller Teen Fellows Program

Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto

Kultura Collective

Ontario Jewish Archives
(Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre)

PJ Library

Sarah & Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre

Silber Family Centre for Jewish Camping

UJA Israel Engagement ShinShinim Program


NATIONAL – IN ALLIANCE WITH JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF CANADA - UIA**

Birthright Israel

Canada Israel Experience

Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA)

Hillels across Canada

March of the Living


ISRAEL & OVERSEAS – IN ALLIANCE WITH JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF CANADA - UIA

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)

Jewish Agency

Keren Hayesod

MASA Israel


ISRAEL & OVERSEAS PARTNERS

Mosaic/Shalom Corps

Onward Israel

Reut

Maoz

Rashi Foundation

AFFILIATED SCHOOLS

DAY SCHOOLS

Associated Hebrew Schools

Bialik Hebrew Day School

Eitz Chaim Schools

Montessori Jewish Day School

Netivot HaTorah Day School

Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School

Robbins Hebrew Academy

The Joe Dwek Ohr HaEmet Sephardic School

The Leo Baeck Day School

The Toronto Heschel School


HIGH SCHOOLS

TanenbaumCHAT

Tiferes Bais Yaakov

Ulpanat Orot Girls’ School (B’nei Akiva)

Yeshiva Darchei Torah

Yeshivat Or Chaim (B’nei Akiva)


SUPPLEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Adath Israel Congregational School

Adraba High School

Ahavat Yisrael Hebrew School

Beit Rayim Hebrew School

Bet Sefer Solel

Beth Radom Congregation Hebrew School

Beth Sholom Hebrew School

Beth Tzedec Congregational School

CHAI Hebrew School

City Shul Nightingale School and Youth Group

Danforth Jewish Circle

Darchei Noam Hebrew School

Downtown Jewish Community School

Holy Blossom Temple Religious School

Jewish Heritage School at Beth Habonim

J.Roots Supplementary Hebrew School

Kachol-Lavan - The Centre for Hebrew & Israel Studies

Kol Ami Religious School

Morris Winchevsky School

Oraynu Children’s School

Shaarei-Beth El Religious School

Shoresh Jewish Environmental Programs

Temple Har Zion Religious School

Temple Sinai Religious School

The Centre for Jewish Living and Learning @ Temple Emanu-El

Torah High


UJA AFFILIATED CAMPS

B’nai Brith Camp (Kenora)

Camp Agudah

Camp B’nai Brith of Ottawa

Camp Gan Israel Toronto

Camp Gesher

Camp Kadimah in Halifax

Camp Kinneret-Biluim

Camp Massad (Montreal)

Camp Moshava Ennismore

Camp Northland B’nai Brith

Camp Ramah in Canada

Camp Shalom

Camp Shomria

Camp Solelim

J. Academy Camp

URJ Camp George

Machaneh Lev

Moshava Ba’ir Toronto

The Jack and Pat Kay Centre Camp

UJA Rally For Recovery 2021 Annual Campaign

Copyright 2021 © UJA Federation of Greater Toronto - jewishtoronto.com | United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto, Reg. 119276723RR0001 Please click here for UJA Federation of Greater Toronto's Privacy Policy

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter