Koyman Galleries was a picture-perfect venue for the Jewish Federation of Ottawa to host its top donor reception, featuring Ronald Lauder, an international philanthropist and president of the World Jewish Congress.
From left, Jewish-American businessman and philanthropist Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, with Jewish Federation of Ottawa board chair Linda Kerzner and campaign co-chairs Sharon Appotive and Michael Polowin at the federation’s top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.
The American billionaire businessman of Estée Lauder cosmetics fame and former ambassador is also an art collector. In 2006, he bought Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer (also called The Lady in Gold or The Woman in Gold) for a record US$135 million. It had been part of the massive theft of art in Europe by the Nazis.
The reception, held at the loft-style commercial art gallery on St. Laurent Boulevard, was attended by some 150 of the largest donors to the federation’s annual campaign to build community, assist the vulnerable, boost Jewish education, and support Israel. Among the JFO’s partner agencies are local Jewish schools and preschools, youth groups and summer camps, social service organizations and the Hillel Lodge long-term care facility.
Michael Polowin, a law partner at Gowling WLG, is co-chairing this year’s campaign with Sharon Appotive from Howard Fine Jewellers. They’re hoping to exceed the $4.5 million raised last year.
From left, Melanie Polowin with her husband, Michael Polowin and his Jewish Federation of Ottawa campaign co-chair Sharon Appotive, and her husband, David Appotive, at the federation’s top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.
The Ottawa Jewish community, which has a population of around 14,000, is already very generous, said Polowin. “Our job is to encourage them to be even more generous.
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![From left, Debi Zaret with Steven Kimmel and Shelli Kimmel and Neil Zaret at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.]()
From left, Debi Zaret with Steven Kimmel and Shelli Kimmel and Neil Zaret at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.
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![From left, Jewish-American businessman and philanthropist Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, with Jewish Federation of Ottawa board chair Linda Kerzner and campaign co-chairs Sharon Appotive and Michael Polowin at the federation's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.]()
From left, Jewish-American businessman and philanthropist Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, with Jewish Federation of Ottawa board chair Linda Kerzner and campaign co-chairs Sharon Appotive and Michael Polowin at the federation's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.
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![From left, Sarah Gordon, Laurie Gordon and Mary and Len Potechin, at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.]()
From left, Sarah Gordon, Laurie Gordon and Mary and Len Potechin, at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.
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![Gail Victor and Stephen Victor at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on St. Laurent Boulevard on Thursday, October 6, 2016.]()
Gail Victor and Stephen Victor at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on St. Laurent Boulevard on Thursday, October 6, 2016.
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![Len Farber and Barbara Farber at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on St. Laurent Boulevard on Thursday, October 6, 2016.]()
Len Farber and Barbara Farber at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on St. Laurent Boulevard on Thursday, October 6, 2016.
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![From left, Jewish Federation of Ottawa president and CEO Andrea Freeman with its board chair, Linda Kerzner, at the federation's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on St. Laurent Boulevard on Thursday, October 6, 2016.]()
From left, Jewish Federation of Ottawa president and CEO Andrea Freeman with its board chair, Linda Kerzner, at the federation's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on St. Laurent Boulevard on Thursday, October 6, 2016.
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![That's caterer David Smith, owner of Creative Kosher Catering, slicing rib-eye roast for Sol Shinder at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.]()
That's caterer David Smith, owner of Creative Kosher Catering, slicing rib-eye roast for Sol Shinder at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.
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![From left, Melanie Polowin with her husband, Michael Polowin and his Jewish Federation of Ottawa campaign co-chair Sharon Appotive, and her husband, David Appotive, at the federation's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.]()
From left, Melanie Polowin with her husband, Michael Polowin and his Jewish Federation of Ottawa campaign co-chair Sharon Appotive, and her husband, David Appotive, at the federation's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.
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![From left, Eddie Baroud and Arlie Koyman with Ian Sherman at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.]()
From left, Eddie Baroud and Arlie Koyman with Ian Sherman at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.
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![From left, investment advisor Mark Klyman from sponsor TD with Bram Bregman at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.]()
From left, investment advisor Mark Klyman from sponsor TD with Bram Bregman at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.
“At the end of the day, if we want a strong community to continue, then the people who are here are those who understand extremely well the need for all of us to contribute to the best of our ability.”
