CHW in Canada

Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) is known for the good work that is being done for Children, Healthcare, and Women in Israel. However, CHW also partners with many different organizations in Canada, and CHW members in Centres from coast to coast participate in these charitable activities. Here is a peek at a few organizations or initiatives that were recently supported by CHW in our local communities.

CHW Calgary Centre
Chanukah Toy Drive
For over 17 years, CHW Calgary Centre has held a toy drive prior to Chanukah. The toys are given to Jewish Family Services (JFS) and the Alberta Children’s Hospital (ACH) for distribution to families who cannot afford any extras. CHW Calgary Centre is proud that the 2019 Toy Drive provided toys, movie passes, and gift cards at the ACH and JFS. This mitzvah project supports the local community and reflects CHW’s values in investing in Children, Healthcare, and Women. 

Scholarship at Mount Royal University
CHW Calgary Centre has established a scholarship at Mount Royal University to enable a full-time student enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in Social Innovation and Non-Profit Studies to continue their program. The first award was presented in September 2017, in honour of CHW’s Centennial year.

CHW Edmonton Centre
Terry Horwitz Memorial Bursary
Since 2009, CHW Edmonton Centre has proudly sponsored the Terry Horwitz Memorial Bursary. The Bursary celebrates Terry’s life, and honours her work with children in the early learning years. The $1,500 annual bursary is awarded to full-time, second-year students enrolled in the Early Learning and Child Care Program at MacEwan University in Edmonton. Terry Horwitz z’l graduated from the program in 2004.

Award in Women’s and Gender Studies
For over 25 years, CHW Edmonton Centre has provided the University of Alberta with $4,000 annually to support student bursaries and scholarships. The Hadassah WIZO Canada Award is bestowed upon undergraduate students, enrolled in the Women’s and Gender Studies program at the University of Alberta, based on academic achievement and financial needs.

CHW Montreal Centre
CHW Montreal Pro-Am Supports Camp Erin®
A portion of the proceeds from the 2019 Pro-Am For Kids will be donated to Camp Erin. Camp Erin® is the largest network of free bereavement summer camps in North America, designed for children and teens aged 6-17 who have experienced the death of someone close to them. CHW Montreal Centre takes pride in the new partnership with Camp Erin. Camp Erin® Montreal brings hope into the lives of bereaved children and teens by providing a safe environment to share their story, process their grief in healthy ways, and honour the memory of the person who died.

MADA Community Center
MADA is a local community centre whose central purpose is fighting poverty in the Montreal community. CHW Montreal Centre collected non-perishable food items for Chanukah in December 2018, and most recently packaged food for the Shabbat to Share Program. CHW supporters also recently served dinner at Le Café. Le Café provides hot, kosher meals twice weekly in a warm, respectful environment.

CHW Ottawa
Maureen O’Neil Award in Women’s Studies
Offered through Carleton University, this award was endowed in 1985 by CHW in honour of Maureen O’Neil, Coordinator, Status of Woman Canada. It is awarded annually, when merited, to a student enrolled in the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research who is doing work in Women’s Studies.

CHW Toronto
Canadian Young Judaea (CYJ) JOLT Program
CHW Toronto Centre supports the JOLT Program at CYJ. JOLT, or Jewish Outreach Leadership Training, is CYJ’s flagship program for youth tikkun olam, or community outreach. Participants in the program receive a minimum of 20 hours of community service and have the opportunity to engage in active, social causes and receive hands-on experience volunteering in the community. The main educational objectives of the JOLT programs are: leadership, tikkun olam, development of Jewish identity, and developing ties to their kvutza/community. CHW Toronto Centre is proud to be connected with CYJ and helping to make a difference in the lives of so many young adults.

Jerome D. Diamond Adolescent Centre (JDD)
CHW Toronto Centre announced a new collaboration with the Jerome D. Diamond Adolescent Centre (JDD) in 2019. CHW Toronto Centre’s commitment will help ensure local youth mental healthcare needs are met and will support the Experiential Learning Programs for JDD students.
The JDD is a mental health centre that provides services to youth between the ages of 12 and 17 who are experiencing psychological, behavioural, and/or academic challenges. On average, counselling services are provided for approximately 50 family members each academic year. The JDD is staffed by a multi-disciplinary professional team consisting of special education teachers, social workers, child and youth workers, a transition support worker, and a consulting psychiatrist/psychologist.

CHW Vancouver Centre
Jewish Family Services Agency
CHW Vancouver Centre has proudly partnered with various local organizations over the years. CHW Vancouver Centre continues to provide new cosmetic items to women in need through the Jewish Family Services Agency in Vancouver.

CHW National
Canadian Young Judaea
Each year, CHW provides funding to Canadian Young Judaea summer camps in Canada, which aim to strengthen young members’ Jewish identity and principles. CHW is honoured to have grown alongside such a wonderful organization, and enjoys serving children and youth in Canada and Israel together.