June 2025
Jazmin Rymberg and Wendy Schneider
On May 28, the Hamilton Jewish Federation welcomed community members to its Annual General Meeting and Shem Tov Award ceremony — an evening marked by warmth, connection, and meaningful updates.
CEO Gustavo Rymberg shared several important announcements, including a remarkable $1 million anonymous donation dedicated to post-trauma and mental health initiatives in northern Israel. He also unveiled the Sandra F. Witelson Enrichment Fund, a new initiative aimed at ensuring that Jewish children in Hamilton and the surrounding areas have access to enriching after-school programs in music, arts, science, and sports — for families of limited financial resources.
The Federation recognized the Sherman Foundation for its impactful support in eliminating the PJ Library waitlist, allowing more families to enjoy this beloved program. Special thanks were extended to Lesley Sherman, who was present at the event.
Rymberg also acknowledged the generosity of the Allen and Milli Gould Family Foundation, for its ongoing commitment to Federation priorities, including antisemitism education, the Hamilton Jewish News, and scholarship support for Kadimah JCamp.
Security continues to be a central focus. In partnership with Jewish Federations of North America, Federation has welcomed Glenn Mannella to its staff as its new community security director, who has been working with local institutions, the Hamilton Police, and the Secure Community Network to strengthen safety protocols.
Rymberg also reported that more than 1,600 individuals have visited the Margaret’s Legacy Holocaust Learning and Jewish Advocacy Centre since its opening last year — including students, educators, civil servants, and the broader public.
The meeting concluded with Federation treasurer Lorne Rochwerg and secretary Jacki Levin presenting the financial report, which included a compelling visual: the Federation’s annual campaign has nearly tripled since Rymberg took the helm in 2017.
The second half of the evening was dedicated to honouring this year’s recipients of the Shem Tov Community Leadership Awards — a heartfelt celebration of outstanding volunteers who embody the values of character, integrity, and service. Nominated by community organizations, each honouree carries a Shem Tov — a “good name” — earned through their unwavering dedication and meaningful contributions to Jewish life in Hamilton.
This segment of the program began with a moving tribute from Jazmin Rymberg, Federation’s director of communications, marketing, and public relations, honoring her father, CEO Gustavo Rymberg, who was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. The award recognizes his leadership, commitment to community building, and steadfast advocacy against antisemitism.
Jazmin reflected on her father’s lifelong dedication to Jewish communal life — a journey that began during their early days as new immigrants from Argentina to Winnipeg, when he worked as a graphic designer at the JCC. That same passion carried through to his current role as CEO of the Hamilton Jewish Federation.
Throughout the years, she said, her father’s devotion was never just about a job — “it was to the Jewish people.” It was the Jewish community that gave him a chance, she said, and he has made it his mission to pass that opportunity on to others, especially young people.
Jazmin shared how her own path was shaped when her father asked her to coordinate Federation’s international conference on antisemitism in 2022 — an experience that sparked her career in Jewish communal work.
She also recounted a pivotal moment during the crisis following the October 7 attacks. Exhausted after hours of working on messaging to the community, Jazmin reached her limit — until her father looked at her and said, “You are a community leader. Step it up and be strong. They need us.”
“He shows up. He stays up,” she said. “He leads when it’s easy — and when it’s excruciating.”
Jazmin’s heartfelt tribute set a powerful tone for the rest of the evening, which many described as deeply meaningful and uplifting. Among them was Georgina Katz, who called it “a warm, beautiful evening” that left her feeling profoundly moved.
“My heart felt very full,” she said. A Toronto native who moved to Hamilton 12 years ago, Katz said the event reaffirmed her pride in being part of the local Jewish community. “I was just so proud to be part of this community,” she said. “We may be small, but we’re strong here in Hamilton.”
That sense of strength and unity was evident in Gustavo Rymberg’s closing remarks, where he thanked all the members of his dedicated staff and emphasized Federation’s focus on cultivating the next generation of Jewish leadership. He announced the appointment of five new board members under the age of 45, reflecting a deliberate effort to empower emerging leaders.
Rymberg also highlighted new leadership development opportunities now available through partnerships with the Shalom Hartman Institute and the Wexner Foundation, while applauding the energy of Hamilton’s growing BBYO chapter and record-breaking enrolment at this summer’s Camp Kadimah.
“We recognize the challenges that may arise, but we are ready to meet them — confident in the support of our dedicated board, staff, and community,” Rymberg concluded, expressing gratitude for the community’s ongoing support.
