UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

The Honey and Barry Memorial Arena has announced partnerships with hockey stars Gary Roberts and Zach Hyman, building excitement for its July 2025 opening. Gary Roberts Performance will serve as the arena’s anchor tenant, offering elite hockey and training programs, with space for professional players and year-round fitness services. Zach Hyman will host his Hyman Hockey Camp, providing youth with access to world-class hockey, regardless of financial circumstances. The Vaughan JCC Warriors and Maccabi Canada will also use the arena for their programs, making it a key community hub. Fully funded by Jonathon Sherman in memory of his parents, the arena ensures ongoing accessibility and community outreach. To read the full statement, please visit https://lnkd.in/gpn2_brx

Last week, the Jewish Medical Association of Ontario (JMAO) brought several doctors to the Ontario legislature to raise concerns about a "disturbing rise in antisemitism" faced by Jewish medical professionals following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The JMAO reported that its members have encountered antisemitism through comments or remarks made by colleagues in conversations, at organized events, in clinical settings, at medical schools on university campuses, and on social media. More than 700 Jewish healthcare professionals, physicians, students, and residents across the province have already joined JMAO to take part in this vital effort. UJA encourages eligible Ontario-based health professionals and learners to apply for membership by visiting this link: https://lnkd.in/g24T2PFB

8 Nights of Giving is Here! As Hanukkah approaches, we’re excited to kick off 8 Nights of Giving—an opportunity to come together as a community and make a powerful impact. There are so many urgent causes in the Jewish world this year. Each night, we will spotlight a different cause, bringing attention to urgent needs in our community. You choose the cause (or causes!) to support during these 8 nights, and your impact will be doubled by a generous sponsor. Make twice the impact right now by donating here: 8nights.ca

At last night’s Annual Meeting, we had the opportunity for Hakarat HaTov—recognizing the good—by honouring and thanking Jeff Rosenthal for his terrific and tireless leadership as Chair of the Board of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto over the past two years. We are excited to welcome Ken Tanenbaum as our new Chair of the Board and Sarena Koschitzky as Vice Chair, as they begin their two-year terms. To read a full message from Adam Minsky, President & CEO of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, be sure to visit https://lnkd.in/gmW938gU

Today is International Volunteer Day! At UJA, we’re incredibly grateful for the amazing volunteers who help make our community stronger. You are the heartbeat of what we do! Ready to get involved and make an impact? Visit https://lnkd.in/gRzREEzR to explore our volunteer opportunities. #InternationalVolunteerDay

#GivingTuesday is here—a day all about giving back. While Black Friday and Cyber Monday kick off holiday shopping, today is about starting a season of generosity. Let’s come together to strengthen and uplift our Jewish community. By supporting UJA, you’re helping create meaningful change for those who need it most. Be part of something bigger. Make your impact today. Donate now: jewishtoronto.com/donate

Last December, we mobilized our community to travel to Ottawa for a historic rally on Parliament Hill. Among the fleet of buses we rented, 17 buses did not show up that day. This was despite the sub-contractor confirming participation and charging in advance.   We took legal action to recover our funds—defending the charitable dollars of all who give to UJA—and to hold accountable those behind this outrageous act of discrimination. We are pleased to report that the court has just issued a judgment against bus company TLC Worldwide and its principal, Ryan Singh, to pay what is owed to UJA.   We are grateful to the firm McCarthy Tétrault for providing pro-bono legal services in support of UJA, with special appreciation for the exceptional and tireless efforts of Eli Mogil, Noam Uri, and Sadie-Rae Werner.   We will continue to combat antisemitism and pursue justice, while keeping our community informed of key updates.

UJA is thrilled to share exciting news for Jewish education in the GTA! Due to rising demand and UJA’s affordability initiatives like Generations Trust, more families are choosing Jewish day schools. This year, Junior Kindergarten applications for Fall 2025 exceeded available spots.   To meet this demand, UJA worked with partner schools to quickly expand capacity, providing support for space, renovations, and busing. As a result, Bialik Hebrew Day School, Robbins Hebrew Academy, and The Toronto Heschel School are each adding a new JK class, creating space for students on waiting lists. A thriving Jewish community needs strong educational options for families—day schools, part-time programs, summer camps, Israel experiences, and more. With rising antisemitism, it's more important than ever for children to connect with their Jewish identity. We are excited to see these expanded opportunities for Jewish education in our community and look forward to supporting the continued growth of Jewish learning in the GTA.

UJA's Israel Engagement is proud to present the Parent & Educator Conference and the Jewish Student Summit. These two one-day conferences—one for parents and teachers and one for students—will explore Israel education and how to combat antisemitism in the public school system. Register now to join us: https://lnkd.in/gVEtYPkb