Montreal – January 18, 2023 – Federation CJA is pleased to announce the first Jewish Disability Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM) Micro-Grant program. This program is part of the overall JDAIM initiative of which Federation CJA will take the lead as a key convener.

“For the fifth year in a row, Jewish Disability Acceptance & Inclusion Month will take place in February 2023,” says Yair Szlak, President and CEO of Federation CJA. “For JDAIM 2023, we are pleased to offer a new Micro-Grant initiative for the first time, thanks to the generous support of Arlene Fels and our many generous donors.”

“Jewish communities across North America have embraced JDAIM as a month-long celebration to raise awareness and foster acceptance of community members living with disabilities and mental health conditions, and those who love them,” Szlak adds. “For JDAIM 2023, several local organizations will participate in this important community awareness initiative that shifts minds and opens hearts.”

Local events are organized by community partners, and many are open to the public.

The new JDAIM 2023 Micro-Grant opportunity will empower organizations to lead by example by helping them to alleviate financial costs associated with running activities and program offerings in the month of February. February is marked each year as Jewish Disability Acceptance & Inclusion Month. Federation CJA will offer successful applicants up to $1,500 for their JDAIM programs or initiatives.

“The JDAIM 2023 Miro-Grant will support community impact partners as well as community members on the ground to foster synergies, collaborations, partnerships, and programs in celebration of JDAIM 2023,” says Dayna Rabin, Specialist, Community Inclusion & Belonging at Federation CJA.  “This new micro-grant opportunity is another example of Federation CJA’s ongoing commitment to delivering community care with compassion,” adds Rabin.

Federation CJA’s expected goals with the JDAIM Micro-Grant are to:

• Increase community awareness about disability inclusion, resources, and services.
• Build strong partnerships through alignment of community programs/services to Federation CJA’s commitment to its impact priorities:
  • Delivering Community Care with Compassion
  • Strengthening Jewish Life and Continuity
  • Advancing Jewish Communal Interests
• Create opportunities for community members to find the support they need to live active, engaged, and fulfilling Jewish lives.
• Convene diverse organizations in creating meaningful and impactful events and programs that raise awareness for disability inclusion and engage members of the community with diverse needs.

JDAIM Micro-Grant applications have been granted to local Montreal community organizations, schools, and synagogues in Montreal.

For more information about the Micro-Grant and JDAIM, please contact Dayna Rabin at [email protected]

About Federation CJA

For over one hundred years, Federation CJA has been at the heart of the organized Jewish community in Montreal. In partnership with a vast network of agencies and organizations locally, nationally, and internationally, Federation CJA builds and sustains this community by providing leadership and supporting the delivery of services and programs to care for the vulnerable and those in need to ensure a bright Jewish future,  represent communal interests, and positively affect issues in the wider society. 

Media Contact:

Glenn J. Nashen
Director, Media Relations and Crisis Communications | Directeur, Relations avec les médias et communication de crise
Strategic Marketing and Communications | Marketing Stratégique et communications
FEDERATION CJA
1 Carré Cummings Square | 5151 Chemin de la Côte Ste-Catherine Road
Montréal, Québec  H3W 1M6
514-734-1327
[email protected]