Federation CJA paid tribute to Jewish community leaders at its annual Jewish Leadership Recognition Awards on June 17.
A total of 23 awards were presented in recognition of those who “consistently go above and beyond the call of duty, adding immeasurable value to Montreal’s schools, synagogues, health institutions, agencies and Federation CJA itself.”
Federation president David Amiel chaired the ceremony, which featured guest entertainer mentalist Spidey, star of the Netflix original series Brainchild, who astounded the crowd of almost 300.
“Each of you has defined your life by doing something extra for your community,” said Amiel. “You’ve gone beyond your daily routine and devoted time and energy to improving people’s lives. Each of you is best described by the many things you’ve done, and continue to do, on behalf of others.”
Evan Feldman, a former president of the Federation, and Rabbi Reuben Poupko, co-chair of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs-Quebec, were presented with the Distinguished Leadership Award, which is given to two individuals who have demonstrated exceptional and enduring service to the Jewish community.
The Mildred B. Lande Award was presented to Jewel Lowenstein for her inspiring contribution to the Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy division, while Michael Cape, an active community volunteer for more than 50 years, received the Manny Batshaw Award for longstanding community service.
For his dedicated service to the broader community, Alan Maislin was given this year’s RBC Dominion Securities Tikun Olam Award. Maislin is president of the board of directors of CIUSSS West-Central Montreal.
Several up-and-coming community leaders were feted, as well. Steve Sebag and Lawrence Witt were bestowed with the Gertrude and Henry Plotnick Young Leadership Award, and Amanda Abrams and Amanda Cape took home the Jon Roskies Award for New Leadership.
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The Award for Excellence in Community Programming was shared by the Limmud Centre, a homeschooling support program designed to supplement the secular education of boys in the Lubavitch community, and the Federation’s Russian-Speaking Jews Initiative, which offers cultural programming for first- and second-generation Russian-speaking Jews.
A complete list of the Jewish Leadership Award winners, along with their bios, can be found at federationcja.org.
