SHERMAN CAMPUS

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty was joined by local MPPs Monte Kwinter and Greg Sorbara for a special visit to Sherman Campus on Thursday, September 10, to accept thanks on behalf of the Government of Ontario for the $15-million grant by the province to UJA Federation’s Tomorrow Campaign. 

Prior to the event the Premier met with a delegation from Eilat and Eilot, UJA Federation’s partner communities in the south of Israel. The delegation included the mayor of Eilat, Meir Yitzhak Halevi;  the Mayor of  Eilot, Udi Gat;  Dr Avi Goldberg, CEO of Yoseftal Hospital and Noam Ilan, project director for renewable energy in the region.

“This centre helps families by providing early childhood education, and daycare services,” said the Premier, after being introduced by Tomorrow Campaign Chair Larry Tanenbaum. “It benefits seniors by helping them to connect to others; it enriches our lives by finding spaces for cultural activities; and it will help keep people healthy by providing exercise programs.”

Premier McGuinty believes given the current economic climate, the uncertainty of what the future holds, and with so many families struggling, now is the time to facilitate change.

"The United Jewish Appeal is the heart of a community, which is the heart of this city,” he said. “And when you are strong, we all stand strong, together. That's particularly important in these challenging economic times. If not now, when?”

After his speech, Leslie Gales, Chair of the Tomorrow Leadership Cabinet presented the Premier with a plaque that reads: “UJA Federation of Greater Toronto gratefully acknowledges the Province of Ontario for the gift of $15 million to the Tomorrow Campaign.”

After the ceremony the Premier was taken on a tour of the Prosserman JCC Donald Gales Family Pavilion and then attended a post event reception.

The Tomorrow Campaign spans three campuses across the GTA:  the Downtown District anchored at Bloor and Spadina; the Sherman Campus at Bathurst and Sheppard, and the Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Jewish Community Campus in the heart of York Region. 

By Leigh Brown