Montreal – September 23, 2022 – Federation CJA held its 105th Annual General Meeting last night and celebrated the achievements of the past year along with its outstanding volunteer leaders.

The evening kicked off with greetings from the Consul General of Israel for Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces, Paul Hirschson. “This community is something special,” he said, emphasizing the close ties between the Israeli consulate and Federation CJA as the central hub of the community.

President highlights challenges and community response

Joel Segal, President of Federation CJA, indicated that the war in Ukraine reminded us of the importance of the Federation System in mobilizing world Jewry in times of crisis.  Federation CJA raised and deployed over $2 million.  So far over 100 Ukrainian Jews have made Montreal their new home and we continue to monitor the situation and work with our international partners to help those depending on us. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people still in Ukraine, Jews and non-Jews alike,” Segal said.

Segal noted the sharp rise in antisemitism and remarked that combatting antisemitism is complex and requires multiple strategic investments. “To meet this challenge, we continued our multimillion-dollar investment in our Community Security Network - training volunteers and installing critical infrastructure.  We are also launching a new donor collaborative to invest funds, prototype new initiatives, and scale successful strategies, all in an effort to mitigate and isolate the toxic intolerance directed toward our community.”

Commenting on Bill 96 and its numerous challenges for our community, Segal stated that while we continue to advocate and assist our institutions to adjust to the new law, we must also ensure that the next generation of the Montreal Jewish community has the necessary skills to thrive in Quebec. “Once again, we are seeking to address these challenges through a donor collaborative to invest in new initiatives to ensure that our community continues to thrive in Quebec for generations,” he concluded.

Presentation of the Samuel Bronfman Medal

The Samuel Bronfman Medal is the most prestigious award granted by Federation CJA in recognition of extraordinary service and leadership to the Jewish community. Since its inception in 1971, it has been awarded to individuals who are significant role models within our community.
Charles Bronfman presented the award to this year’s recipient, Sylvain Abitbol, a passionate philanthropist, inspiring role model, and distinguished leader. Sylvain has been the President of Federation CJA, Co-President of the Canadian Jewish Congress, President of the Communauté Sépharade Unifée du Quebec, and has been involved with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs since its inception.

As Worldwide Co-President of Justice for Jews from Arab Countries (JJAC), an NGO that has worked with the United States Congress to get official refugee status granted to Jews from Arab Lands, Sylvain was a speaker at the United Nations in New York and Geneva and has made presentations in the United Kingdom’s House of Lords and the Canadian House of Commons. Under his tenure, JJAC successfully lobbied to have the Israeli Knesset adopt November 30th as the day to commemorate the exodus of Jews from Arab lands.

“Our incredible Montreal community was built by a remarkable group of lay and professional leaders who have come before us and have given their time, wisdom, and energy,” said Joel Segal, President of Federation CJA. “One such giant is the recipient of the Samuel Bronfman Medal, Sylvan Abitbol. He is a charismatic leader who emits a contagious optimism that brings out the best in people and is truly a worthy recipient of this distinguished award.”

Consul General Hirschson also congratulated Abitbol, “You’re someone who makes a difference.”
Abitbol told the assembly about his harrowing personal journey in fleeing his native Morocco, his pursuit of Jewish identity, integration into the Montreal Jewish community and tremendous success in business. Proudly surrounded by children and grandchildren he accepted the medal saying his dream had been accomplished.  

CEO notes the community’s resilience

Yair Szlak, CEO of Federation CJA, highlighted that the community is entering a powerful time in the Jewish calendar, a time for reflection and renewal, and a time that we take stock of the year that was and connect to our hopes and aspirations for the year to come. “As we witness, once again, war in Europe, and a rise in antisemitism to levels unseen in generations, we must remember that throughout our history, Jews have experienced extensive trauma and catastrophe, and we have survived and thrived. We have repeatedly breathed new life into the Jewish people. We have found ways to cultivate resilience, both individually and communally.   Through every tragedy, we have risen more resilient and more determined to overcome and celebrate life.  This is the Jewish way,” Szlak said.

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 by supporting the delivery of services and programs to care for the vulnerable and those in need to ensure a bright Jewish future, to represent communal interests, and to positively affect issues in the wider society.

Additional information:

• Federation CJA 2022 Annual Report and Board Slate

Attached Photo:

For interviews, photos or more information, please 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
[email protected]