Written by Nathalie Gelineau, Communications Lead, Hillel Lodge
On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, around 80 members of the Ottawa Jewish community gathered at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre for Hillel Lodge's 71st Annual General Meeting — an evening defined by celebration, reflection, and an inspiring look ahead. The mood was joyous, the company wonderful, and the speeches uplifting.
The evening unfolded around two central themes. The first was recognition — honouring some of the individuals and an organization whose dedication has made an enduring difference in the lives of our residents. Their acceptance speeches were truly touching, each a heartfelt reflection on what it means to give their time and devotion to the people who call Hillel Lodge home. The second theme was reflection and vision — our speakers looked back on a year of meaningful accomplishments and forward to the opportunities that await. We invite you to browse our 2025 Digital Annual Report for highlights.
2025/26 AWARD PRESENTATIONS
Four awards were presented on at our 71st Annual General Meeting, each recognizing a unique form of dedication to Hillel Lodge and its residents.
Shalom Perel President's Award of Merit — Evelyn Greenberg
The Shalom Perel President's Award of Merit is given annually to an individual who works diligently, often behind the scenes, to make an outstanding and lasting contribution to Hillel Lodge and its residents. The award is named in memory of Shalom Perel, a quiet, unassuming gentleman whose profound generosity — endowing the Lodge with nearly his entire estate — reflected a lifelong desire to make life better for those who would call Hillel Lodge home.
This year's recipient, Evelyn Greenberg, embodies that spirit fully. For approximately forty years, Evelyn has been a cherished and constant presence at the Lodge, enriching the lives of residents through music, celebration, and genuine human connection. Her monthly birthday celebrations have become a beloved tradition, bringing residents together through song — Hava Nagila, Oseh Shalom, Hevenu Shalom Aleichem, and Tumbalalaika — and ensuring each resident feels truly honoured and celebrated. She has served as accompanist for visiting artists, performed at landmark moments in the Lodge's history, and helped mark cultural and Jewish occasions throughout the year with warmth and professionalism.
Thelma Steinman Direct Service Award — Dr. Ralph Paroli
Named in honour of Thelma Steinman, of blessed memory — a woman of tremendous warmth, energy, compassion, and humour — this award recognizes an individual whose direct engagement with residents meaningfully enhances their quality of life.
Dr. Ralph Paroli has been an unwavering presence at Hillel Lodge's synagogue for approximately eleven years, faithfully attending Shabbat and Yom Tov services and helping to form the minyan that makes communal prayer meaningful and complete. He ensures residents can participate fully — helping them don a kippah or tallit, assisting them in following the Torah reading, and ensuring siddurim and ritual items are always available. His contributions also include facilitating the acquisition of new siddurim through the Beth Shalom Legacy Fund. Beyond the service itself, Ralph extends the same warmth and attentiveness at Kiddush, ensuring every resident and visitor feels welcomed and included.
Outstanding Service Award — Ottawa Paramedic Service
The Outstanding Service Award is presented periodically to a group or organization that has made a significant contribution to Hillel Lodge and its residents. This year, the award was presented to the Ottawa Paramedic Service in recognition of its exceptional partnership with the Lodge and its profound impact on resident well-being.
Hillel Lodge had the privilege of serving as a pilot site for the City of Ottawa's Community Paramedicine Program — an innovative model enabling paramedics to assess and treat residents directly in the home, avoiding unnecessary hospital transfers. The program has benefited countless residents by improving clinical outcomes, preserving dignity, reducing anxiety, and supporting a more person-centred approach to care. The Ottawa Paramedic Service demonstrated not only clinical excellence but also a genuine willingness to collaborate, adapt, and refine the program alongside the Hillel Lodge team. The award was accepted on behalf of the Ottawa Paramedic Service by Chief Pierre Poirier.
Sarah Lithwick Green Award — Yulie Smolensky, student at OJCS
The Sarah Lithwick Green Award honours a young individual who embodies the spirit of compassion, leadership, and civic engagement that defined Sarah Lithwick Green's remarkable legacy.
This year's recipient, Yulie Smolensky, a student from the Ottawa Jewish Community School (OJCS), was selected for her heartfelt and deeply personal essay reflecting on her experience in the L'dor Vador intergenerational program. Through her participation, Yulie formed a genuine and meaningful bond with one of our residents, discovering the extraordinary value of cross-generational connection. Her essay demonstrated rare maturity and empathy — recognizing the loneliness that can affect both seniors and teenagers, and choosing to do something about it. Yulie received a certificate of distinction and a $500 prize, generously provided by the family of Sarah Lithwick Green.
VOICES OF THE EVENING
Dr. Janet Dollin, President of the Board
Outgoing Board President Dr. Janet Dollin shared Hillel Lodge's new Strategic Plan for 2026–2031, reflecting on two years of progress rooted in the Lodge's core Jewish values of dignity, compassion, and community. Key achievements included Ontario's designation of Hillel Lodge as a cultural home, the restoration of the Jewish resident population to pre-pandemic levels, the launch of the Hillel Lodge Academy, and CARF Accreditation — while looking ahead to the future of seniors' care and the Lodge's continued leadership role.
"It will be because of everyone here today — your generosity of spirit, of time and of money — that these opportunities are realized."
Ted Cohen, CEO
Ted Cohen spoke of a year defined as much by purpose as by achievement — reminding attendees that residents come to Hillel Lodge to continue living lives of meaning, connection, and dignity. Ted spoke of clinical excellence, the launch of the Hillel Lodge Academy, and paid tribute to Janet Dollin for her dedicated board leadership. He closed with a reflection that captured the spirit of the evening:
"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."
Adam Silver, President & CEO, Jewish Federation of Ottawa
Adam Silver affirmed Hillel Lodge's place as a cornerstone of the Ottawa Jewish community, noting its lead role in Federation's Aging and Vitality Sector Roundtable. He underscored the vital importance of community philanthropy in sustaining the Lodge's work for generations to come.
“It is often said a community is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members. Hillel Lodge embodies that principle every day."
David Baker, President & CEO, Hillel Lodge Foundation
David Baker delivered a moving speech, drawing on a personal injury earlier in the year that gave him a profound new appreciation for the care and kindness Hillel Lodge extends to its residents every day. He reported another strong year for the Foundation, with investments in therapeutic bathing tubs and elevator repairs, the furniture campaign nearly at its goal, and Biking for Bubbies & Zaidies, now in its 18th year, having raised over $2.4 million for the Lodge over its lifetime.
"When you need help — really need help — what you remember isn't the task. You remember the kindness. You remember the hand that reached out, the person who preserved your dignity when you felt vulnerable.“
Fran Ross, President, Auxiliary of Hillel Lodge
Fran Ross brought warmth and humour to the podium, summing up the Auxiliary's mission with characteristic simplicity: raise as much as possible, spend as little as possible, and put every dollar to work for residents. The all-volunteer organization provides Shabbat flowers, birthday gifts, holiday celebrations, lounge refurbishments, fish tank care. She reminded everyone that the annual Great Games Event will take place on October 18th. Fran noted with delight that interest from members in their 50s has never been stronger — a wonderful sign of the Auxiliary's growing appeal across generations.
"We are present at the monthly birthday parties where Evelyn plays the piano, and everyone feels like dancing — even from their wheelchair."
A Community United
The 71st AGM was a reminder of everything that makes Hillel Lodge so much more than a long-term care home. It is a community — one shaped by the generosity of volunteers, the professionalism of staff, the vision of its leadership, and the deep commitment of everyone who believes our residents deserve to live with dignity, joy, and a sense of belonging.
As Hillel Lodge looks ahead to its next chapter, it does so with a clear mission, a strong team, and a community that continues to show up in the most meaningful ways. The spirit in that room on May 26th said it all: when a community comes together with purpose and heart, extraordinary things happen.
Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, and celebrated with us.