Welcome to the WebSite of the Windsor Jewish Federation and Community Centre, 
          Windsor, Ontario, Canada. We are the southern - most city in Canada, located
          on the Canada-USA border, across from Detroit, Michigan. Windsor has been home
          to a small but vibrant Jewish community for over 100 years. Built on waves of Jewish
          immigration, Windsor developed into a center of rich Jewish tradition and culture.
          Windsor continues to maintain a strong sense of identity, and an impressive list of
          diverse Jewish institutions and organizations which date back to the late 1800s.

HISTORY:

The Windsor Jewish community began in the late 1800s with the arrival of Jewish
immigrants from Eastern Europe. The largest groups emigrated from Russia and
Poland. These Jewish immigrants built the first synagogue in Windsor in the
early 1900s. The Shaarey Zedek on Mercer Street was the focal point of Jewish
life in Windsor in these early years. By 1911, just over 300 Jews lived in
Windsor, and by 1921, the community numbered 980.

The second wave of Jewish immigrants, primarily from Russia, arrived in the
1920s and settled in Windsor predominantly because of its proximity to the
United States. They established the Peretz school in the 1920s which stressed
Jewish culture and history.
In 1929 the Shaar Hashomayim synagogue was built in Windsor. At this time the
community had grown to 2200 persons.
In the late 1930s, Jewish efforts focused on saving European Jewry. In 1938,
the Jewish Council was formed in order to raise funds and coordinate efforts.
Between 1945 and 1962 the Windsor Jewish community worked to raise money for the establishment and maintenance of Israel. Several Zionist organizations were
represented in Windsor, and all worked towards this common goal.
By 1951, the Windsor Jewish community had almost reached its peak population
size, numbering over 2300.

Beginning in 1953, the Windsor Jewish community began fundraising to build a
Jewish Community Centre for all members of the community. By 1959, the Centre
was built. The Centre housed many local organizations as well as the offices of
the Jewish Community Council. The Council was organized in 1938, and became
known as the Windsor Jewish Federation in 1989.
The Federation acts as the organizing arm of the Windsor Jewish community,
including the United Jewish Appeal (UJA), planning and allocations, and
advocacy, and as the local voice on Jewish issues and concerns in the general
community of Windsor. Today there are 14 organizations represented on the Board
of  the Federation, and they include B'nai Brith Men, Jewish Women
International, B'nai Brith Youth Organization, Hadassah-WIZO, Jewish National
Fund,  Jewish War Veterans, Windsor Jewish Students Association, Windsor Jewish
Community Centre, and the three synagogues which are located in Windsor.
The largest of the Federation agencies is the Jewish Community Centre which
underwent a complete renovation of its facility in 1996.

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Windsor Jewish Community Centre provides social, educational, recreational,
and cultural programming to the Jewish and general communities of Windsor and
Essex County. Its programs embody concepts of charity and social justice
contained in the Jewish tradition. Consistent with this philosophy, Centre
programming places a special emphasis on the elderly, immigrants, children, and
those in need. The WJCC promotes social interactions which strengthen family
unity, and bind one generation to another as an interdependent community.

MEMBERSHIP:

As a member of the Windsor Jewish Community Centre, you will have access to our
quarterly newspaper "News and Views" and regular community mailings, which
outline services, programs, and activities.
In the area of recreation, we provide a Fitness Centre, open gym, outdoor
swimming pool, and recreation programs such as basketball, karate, yoga, Qigong,
floor hockey,dance (hip hop,swing), as well as a Youth Lounge with pool table,
games, and computers.
In the area of education, we provide a licensed preschool for children ages 18
months to five years, with a Jewish resource teacher, a  Library/Lounge with a
computer centre with Internet access, Hebrew Collegiate Institute for high
school students, Holocaust Education, and community relations (media, political,
and community advocacy).
In the area of culture, we provide Holiday programming, such as the Family
Chanukah celebration, concerts such as the annual Katzman Concert, lectures,
films, book fair.
In the area of social programming, we provide kosher congregate dining and
Meals on Wheels , canasta and bridge, movie nights and day trips, all for
seniors through the I.L.Peretz Seniors Apartment building attached to the JCC.
We also have an active  BBYO,  a Young Adult Division, and Camp programs for
children and youth in winter, spring, summer, and P.A.days.

We have been a United Way agency since 1963, and are currently funded by all
three levels of government (municipal, provincial, and federal) and the Trillium
Foundation.
Our Governance model includes an Executive Committee and Board of Directors, as
well as twelve standing and ad-hoc committees, and a corps of volunteers.
Our Management model includes an Executive Director, four professional staff,
with additional preschool, office, kitchen, maintenance, and sessional staff
supporting the infrastructure of the WJCC.

We look forward to meeting with you!

Dr. Sharon Horlick,                                                          Harvey Kessler, MSW, RSW,
President                                                                        Executive Director