The Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal JCF held its Annual General Meeting recently at the Gelber Centre. Under the leadership of Kathy Assayag for the past eleven years, the Foundation has grown to $2.3 billion assets under management, enabling the JCF to support over 1,200 charities and registered organizations, as well as providing scholarships to worthy and deserving university students.

Paul Hirschson, Consul General of Israel opened the evening’s proceedings with a love letter to Montreal. Board Chair Anne-Marie Boucher spoke eloquently of the contributions that the JCF makes to Jewish organizations and the wider community.

Treasurer David Martz noted that this past Year $220 million was distributed to over 1,200 charities and registered organizations and $10 million was donated to the Israel Emergency Fund. Donation revenues were $342 million and the operating costs were kept to 1% of revenues. With the expertise of the professional staff and assistance from Danny Ritter, the JCF earned a 10% return for the period ending March 31, 2024.

Anne-Marie called upon Kathy Assayag, JCF President and CEO and Jonathan Wener, Person of the Year for 2023, to make the presentation to Lillian Vineberg Goodman, Person of The Year for 2024.

“Silence is our enemy. We need to speak up and stand up against hate, incitement, racism and chaos.” – Lillian Vineberg-Goodman

Here are the remarks of Kathy Assayag and Jonathan Wener.

Kathy: “Tonight, we honour a truly exceptional person – Lillian Vineberg-Goodman, this year’s Person of the Year. I’ve known Lillian for many years, and her impact in so many areas is undeniable.

“To name a few, from healthcare to the arts, Lillian has left a lasting mark. Her work at the Jewish General Hospital, leading initiatives like the Patients’ Bill of Rights and the iThrive Project through Hope & Cope, have been groundbreaking. She ensures that patients’ voices are heard and respected.

“Lillian’s contributions extend far beyond her professional achievements, embodying a true spirit of leadership and compassion. To highlight the incredible impact she has made, let me hand it over to Jonathan, who will share a few more thoughts.

Jonathan: “It’s truly a pleasure to follow up on such heart-warming words. As someone who had the honour of being Person of the Year just last year, I can say that it’s a unique and meaningful experience. It feels just like yesterday I was up here, though I have to admit, it’s a little more relaxing to be on this side of the podium! But honestly, if anyone deserves this recognition, it’s Lillian.

“If you have been fortunate enough to meet Lillian, you would know that her contributions go far beyond healthcare. She has been a powerful force in the arts, championing cultural projects and promoting artistic expression. Globally recognized for her efforts, she has also dedicated herself to humanitarian causes. Her work with the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights stands as a testament to her commitment to justice and equality.

“Closer to home, Lillian’s efforts to revitalize Concordia University’s Loyola Campus and the entire university have enriched the community, while her support of the Goodman Cancer Institute has been transformative. It’s no surprise she was awarded the 2002 Queen’s Jubilee Medal and was honoured with the prestigious 2024 King Charles Medal.”

Kathy: “Today, Lillian is supporting students on campus in a very significant way. She is a mentor, helping students and administrators to be agents of change; championing how vital it is to foster leadership, to enforce codes of conduct, to build coalitions – with the goal of creating a safe, nurturing environment free of intimidation, anti-Semitism and all forms of hate.”

“Lillian, your leadership and compassion have touched so many lives. Your dedication to improving our community and the world is truly inspiring.”

Jonathan: “And now, in celebration of this achievement, we’d like to share a special poem written just for you…”

A Legacy of Grace and GivingA legacy bright, full of grace and of giving,
Lillian’s heart makes the world worth living!With wisdom and passion, she nurtures and grows,
Her touch is as soft as the wind when it blows.

She dances through halls where knowledge gleams,
Chasing off shadows, fulfilling big dreams!

With a spark in her eyes and a smile so wide,
She leads with a grace that can’t be denied.

Her hands are quite gentle, yet strong as can be,
Leading hospitals, homes, and a university!
Writing bills and shaping the law,
She crafts them with care, without a flaw.

Her kindness flows, like a river so wide,
Touching art, health, and truth with pride.

Her name rings out, it’s clear to see—
She’s the queen of giving, for both you and me!

For years she’s been shaping the world we all see,
Guiding with wisdom, vision, and glee!
No challenge too big, no task too small,
Her courage inspires us, one and all.

And through her great talents, her love, and her art,
She shows us the beauty of a generous heart.
Lillian leaves a mark, oh, so divine,
Proving that kindness is life’s grand design!

Jonathan: “Lillian, we couldn’t think of a better way to capture the essence of your contributions. And with that, it’s our great pleasure to invite you to the stage to accept a special gift and share a few words.”

Lillian spoke passionately about her social and political activism, starting as a student in her hometown of Ottawa, where she volunteered in Charlotte Whitten’s campaign to become the first female Mayor of a major Canadian city. As a high school student, a teenaged Lillian learned in Civics class that it was important to actively participate in the political process that is the bedrock of democracy.  In an effort to drive home the importance of participation, her McGill University Political Science professor taught that, ‘We have the government we deserve.”

As a student, Lillian and a colleague read a number of books written by Holocaust Survivors, and followed up their research with in-person TV interviews. When asked by Elie Wiesel if there was a common thread to the memoirs, Lillian replied that the survivors said that the hatred and aggression started on the university campuses.

“Silence is our enemy. We need to speak up and stand up against hate, incitement, racism and chaos.” Lillian went on to thank and congratulate a group of non-Jewish Canadian business leaders who published an open letter in the Toronto Star under the headline: “Non-Jewish community leaders should stand up against anti-Semitism” The signatories included: Andrew Molson, The Honourable Paul Tellier, The Honourable Kevin Lynch, and Paul Deegan. Lillian stated, “We need the support of the wider community.”

Lillian Vineberg-Goodman is a deserving Person of the Year for the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal, and organization that supports so many worthy organizations across Canada. For more information, please visit the website: www.jcfmontreal.org or call: 514-345-6414.