Our commitment To philanthropy is
seeded in our roots

Consider a tree for a moment. As beautiful as trees are to look at, we don’t see what goes on underground - as they grow roots.

Trees must develop deep roots in order to grow strong and produce their beauty.

Joyce Meyer

1971

The JCF was founded

The JCF was founded by a group of community leaders with Arthur Pascal being the first President.

These leaders set out with a mission to create a system of giving back that allows the Jewish community to continually thrive, nourish, and grow.

1967

Saidye Bronfman Centre (now the Segal Centre for Performing Arts) opens.

1972

Cummings Centre Opens.

1975

Jewish Education Council of Greater Montreal (BJEC) – The aims were “to serve as a community body for strengthening Jewish education in Montreal”.

1977

Projet Action Rapprochement (PAR) was developed to encourage greater understanding between Jews and non-Jews.

1979

First Ethiopian Jews emigrated to Montreal with the sponsorship of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Canada (JIAS, now Agence Ometz), local Jewish families and pro-Ethiopian Jewish organizations.

Committed to our

1985

JCF develops grant making process for new community initiatives , first grant launched to Hope and Cope.
Festival Sépharade is launched.

1991

Collapse of Soviet Union leads to arrival of more than 3400 Russian Jews in Montreal.

1994

JCF reaches $25 million.
Robert Kleinman Joins as Executive Director.

1996

Operation Montreal launched to create a capital fund that would serve the future of Montreal’s Jewish community.

1997

JCF reaches $50 million.
Board establishes strategy of the JCF to be an independent organization with a donor centered approach.

1999

Renovated Cummings House opens – central address of the Jewish community. Home to Federation, Gelber Centre and Jewish Public Library.

Committed to our

Community

2003

The new Holocaust Museum opens.

2008

Ometz created out of the merger of Jewish Family Services, Jewish Immigrant Aid Services and Jewish Employment Services.

2014

Kathy Assayag joins as Executive Director.
JCF reaches $366 million in assets and 1,600 funds.

2017

Federation CJA raises over $100 million dollars with the support of the JCF, co-chaired by Gail Adelson Marcovitz and Jack Hasen.

2020

JCF deploys $1.5 million dollars to respond to urgent community needs in relation to Covid-19, in partnership with Federation CJA.

2021

June 2021 strategic plan approved by JCF board.

JCF Celebrates 50 Years of success in promoting Smart Philanthropy.

1.65
0
billion
assets under management
2,300
0

number of funds
133
0
million
granted to charities and programs

Committed to our

Future

The JCF has gained the ability to have a foundation that
supports so much in and outside the community with great accomplishment.

The JCF has provided me and our family fabulous resources and guidance to establish excellent parameters for our philanthropy.

The sophisticated guidance, the genuine empathetic understanding of our needs for flexibility, knowledge of the numerous intergenerational complexities were all handled with professionalism and panache. At the outset we were giving consideration to our own foundation. However, with the depth of intellect, reporting and resources that we are able to take advantage of at the JCF, we were able to have more net funds to distribute on an annual basis rather than running a private foundation.

Jonathan Wener
Over the past years, the JCF has become a consistent ally for me in creating and fostering deep-rooted client relationships.

They not only have the highest level of technical knowledge but they understand and offer a holistic approach that speaks to my clients’ values.

Sylvie Amar
When we sold our family business, we benefited from the Jewish Community Foundation’s sound fiscal advice, which has allowed us to maximize our giving. Janie and I are particularly grateful that the JCF’s team of experts took the time to truly understand our philanthropic goals: meeting first with us, then our children and their partners, as well as our grandchildren.

Thanks to the JCF, generations of Etinsons are learning the meaning of tzedakah.

Michael Etinson
The JCF provides top-notch tax smart advice. That is why my colleagues and I rely on them for our charitable giving. We highly recommend their professional services to our clients and their advisors. The JCF is simply goodness at the highest level.

David Forest
When I was a very young girl, I would lie down in the back seat of the car when I was traveling with my family. Every once in a while I would pop up to ask,

“Am I missing anything?”

The Jewish Community Foundation is an organization that attempts not to miss anything, anything that could protect and benefit our community, especially Jewish life here and abroad.

Miriam Roland
I’ve been working closely with the JCF for over 10 years. In our practice, we strive to offer clients an impeccable wealth management experience. It is safe to say that with the JCF, we have found a partner that delivers that same level of service and dedication.

Whether it be for my for my client’s or my own philanthropic objectives, the JCF has consistently been a resource of choice – both for day-to-day donor advised fund needs but also for more advanced planning strategies.

Steve Sebag