Thursday, April 11, 2024 • 3 Nisan 5784
7:00 pm

Soloway JCC, 21 Nadolny Sachs Pvt

Please join us as we reflect on the past years accomplishments, look to the future of the SJCC and pay tribute to some outstanding community members. All are welcome to attend!

Mazel Tov to Our Award Winners!

Grossman Klein Teen Leadership Award

Presented to two teens (grade 11 or 12) who have shown outstanding dedication and service to the Jewish community and the community at large, throughout their teenage years.

Anneke Goodwin, a grade 12 student at Nepean High School, is an example of commitment, leadership, and community engagement. 

Anneke has dedicated several summers as a counselor at SJCC Summer Camps, PD Day Programs, and Break Camps and after school she walks children from the OJCS to their swim lessons at the SJCC. Anneke’s volunteerism extends to Purim and Chanukah Celebrations for the SJCC, Tamir, and PJ Library.

In Spring 2023, Anneke was part of The March of the Living. Before her expedition to Poland, she underwent training and team-building sessions with her group. Upon her return, Anneke shared her life-changing experiences by contributing to newsletters for the JFO and the Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship (CHES). Her dedication continued as she volunteered at the CHES exhibition on the Kindertransport at City Hall.

Beyond her involvement in the Jewish community, Anneke extends her altruism to Awesome Ottawa, a charity offering supported, cost-free sports programs for children with autism. She served as the Co-Chair of Nepean High School’s Relay for Life for the past two years and volunteers for the West Byron Avenue Annual Pumpkin Walk.

Her leadership journey began in the early years of high school as the Student Council representative for her respective grade. Currently serving as one of Nepean co-presidents, Anneke plays a pivotal role in planning and organizing special events and fundraisers. In the current school year, she is as a member of the Presidents Council, collaborating with co-presidents across the Ottawa Carleton District School Board to plan board-wide events and share valuable resources and ideas.

Anneke is part of her schools LINK Leadership Group, a student mentoring program where Grade 12 students guide Grade 9 students through high school transitions via orientations, sports, and various activities.

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Benjamin is a grade 12 student at Sir Robert Borden High School who is committed to leadership, community service, and advocacy. Over the past two years, Ben has been Co-President and then President of the Jewish Cultural Club at SRB. In these roles, he orchestrated club meetings, set agendas, and emerged as a respected leader among peers, faculty, and administrators.

Beyond the school grounds, has attended and volunteered at the JFO’s Mitzvah Day, and worked as a camp counselor at SJCC Summer Camps. Ben is an active participant in NCSY programs and devotes his time volunteering at synagogue community events.

Ben has not shied away from addressing important issues, especially those related to anti-Semitism. In a powerful video distributed to all SRB students in grades 7-12, he emphasized the Jewish Cultural Club as a “safe space” for Jewish teens. He took further initiative by meeting with SRB and OCDSB leadership to educate them on the realities of anti-Semitism at school, advocating for the well-being of Jewish students. Ben’s commitment extended to public speaking engagements, including addressing the audience at the 2023 Holocaust Memorial event and attending International Holocaust Remembrance Day with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.

He has hosted a stand for the Ottawa Cancer Foundation’s Lemonade Standamonium for many years and actively participates in SRB’s Relay for Life, for cancer research. During the school year, Ben works with children at the Pinecrest Recreation Centre, leading sports activities, and in the summer, he has excelled as a counselor, earning the title of Counsellor of the Year.

With over 10 years of competitive soccer experience, he not only dedicates time to practices and games but also actively engages in tournaments, leadership sessions, and team-building activities.

Ben Karp Soloway JCC Volunteer Service Award

Presented to a volunteer who best exemplifies communal ideals and sets an ongoing example for others. 

Allan Shefrin has been a member of the SJCC Board of Directors for an impressive 13 years. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Allan has strong Jewish values and a deep connection to the Ottawa community.

After completing medical school in Ottawa in 2004 Allan, a Pediatric Emergency Physician at CHEO, left Ottawa and returned in 2010 with his wife Stephanie. Despite the demands of his medical career, Allan made it a priority to contribute to the Jewish community.

Allan’s journey with the SJCC began in 2011, and his dedication and commitment to the organization propelled him through the ranks. In 2020, he assumed the role of Chair of the Board, just before the Covid-19 shutdowns began. The SJCC was in good hands with a seasoned physician at the help, and Allan’s leadership was instrumental in guiding the SJCC Board and staff through these tumultuous times.

With a focus on creating a better community for his two daughters and their peers, Allan worked to foster a sustainable, thriving, and inclusive Jewish community. He attributes much of his success and dedication to the SJCC to the unwavering support of his wife, Stephanie.

Beyond his professional and community commitments, Allan finds joy in family time, relishing the opportunity to watch his daughters grow. An avid sports enthusiast, he plays in the SJCC’s Jewish Men’s Hockey League. Recently, Allan added another dimension to his skill set by becoming a mohel.

Sharon Koffman Memorial Athletic Award

Recognizes outstanding sportsmanship, participation and dedication to personal goals of excellence by a Jewish university-level athlete. 

Morgan is a member of the Cape Breton University Capers Women’s hockey team in Sydney, Nova Scotia where she is in her second year of the Bachelor of Emergency Management program. Her journey in competitive hockey began with the Nepean Girls Hockey Association, where she not only showcased exceptional athletic prowess but also demonstrated outstanding qualities in sportsmanship, personal team contribution, academic achievement, and community participation.

Before heading east, Morgan received the Mary Lou Zywicki Bursary, a testament to her well-rounded excellence. Additionally, she earned the Les Banks Bursary in 2022 for her outstanding volunteerism, community participation, and leadership. Her commitment to humanitarian efforts was further recognized in 2018 when she received the Sir Robert Borden High School Humanitarian Award.

Throughout the current school year, Morgan actively engaged in the Kraft Hockeyville festivities at the Canada Games Complex at Cape Breton University. As an ambassador for the hockey team, she participated in various events, contributing to the vibrant spirit of the university community.

Whether on the ice or involved in community events, she approaches every task with determination and respect, earning her a reputation as a dedicated young athlete striving for excellence.

Morgan’s outgoing and hardworking nature extends beyond the hockey rink. Her ability to motivate teammates through leading by example and embracing a team spirit has set her apart. Demonstrating empathy and sportsmanship, she has become a dependable and well-loved member of both the university and hockey communities.

In the summers, Morgan has been a beloved counselor at SJCC Summer Camps. Between hockey and her studies, she works in the hard goods department at SportChek, actively encouraging young girls in sports in both Ottawa and Sydney.

Morgan envisions a future in Ottawa, where she aspires to become a firefighter and serve the community that shaped her.