What dreams are made of

In 1971 a group of Montreal Jewish leaders, headed by the late Arthur Pascal C.M., recognized the need for the Jewish community to have a contingency fund in case of emergencies. Their goal was to build an endowment fund, the interest from which would be used to support innovative and necessary new programs, while leaving the capital in place for future generations.

On June 11, 1971, The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Montreal was incorporated - a charitable organization established to raise and accept funds through endowments, bequests and other planned giving programs. 14 presidents and 3 executive directors later, we have evolved from being the recipient of charitable bequests from people we may never have met, to designing new and diversified donor directed, Jewish ways of giving that reflect our values, hopes and dreams for families and community.

Our assets now total over $280 million and we have had the pleasure of building lasting relationships with our donors and community.

" The creation of the JCF occurred during my administration as Federation Exec Dir. And the appointment of the late Harry Berger as the first Executive Director and Arthur Pascal as the first President of the Foundation. This happened as I returned from the Conference of the Council of Jewish Federations in New York. Arthur Pascal gave it stellar leadership as its first President and put the Foundation. on a firm foundation. It has developed as being the leading Foundation in North America."  
   
Manny Batshaw 
                                                                                    
                                                                             Manny Weiner, Manny Batshaw

Foundation at 40: The 1st decade

Arthur's Dream

We at the JCF like to think the work we do is truly, as they say, “the stuff dreams are made of.” It is certainly what our community was built on and what the late Arthur Pascal had on his mind when he created the JCF 40 years ago. He looked around at this extraordinary community and the network of support and cultural enrichment that set it apart from so many others.                                                                                                        

His dream was to make sure it would always be here for future generations. No matter what. Whatever the challenges, however the world changed around us, the Foundation would provide a safety net.

“My father was the most disciplined person on the planet,” says daughter and long time JCF Board member, Susan Levine.

                                  Pascal family at plaque dedication

"He set very high standards for himself and
was determined to build this Foundation for his community.”

While he may never have wanted the recognition or his name on a plaque, the rest of the family did. They remember talking about important things around the dinner table; about family and communal responsibility; and he challenged them to do good. That’s why his name is on a special plaque in the JCF office.

Arthur’s dream immediately inspired other community leaders – many of whom would become our presidents.

Arthur's Legacy