Media Release: Canadian Jewish Community honours Asper Family and Asper Foundation

Words & Deeds Leadership Award to be presented to the Asper Family and Foundation for contributions to community and country.

WireService.ca Media Release (09/08/2015) WINNIPEG, MB - David J. Cape, Chair of CIJA (the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy), and David Kroft, President of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, are pleased to announce that the prestigious Words & Deeds Leadership Award will be presented to the Asper Family and Foundation at a Gala Dinner on September 9th at the RBC Winnipeg Convention Centre. "The Aspers inspire us all with their words and their deeds. This is an opportunity for us to show them what they have meant to us here at home and across the country," said Howard Morry, Dinner Co-Chair.

The Award will recognize the contributions of the Asper Family and Foundation to the philanthropic, cultural and economic well-being of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and Israel. Following the legacy of their parents, Israel and Babs Asper; David, Gail, and Leonard Asper have continued the tradition of philanthropy and community involvement. Recent accomplishments include the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the first national museum established outside the National Capital region and now a Manitoban and Canadian landmark. "We are honoured to be receiving this prestigious award as we carry on and expand our collective, individual and next-generation commitment to the communities where we live. Our parents instilled in us a strong message of philanthropy, and we are blessed to be able to support so many amazing organizations and projects," said David Asper, Chair of the Asper Foundation.

The Words & Deeds Leadership Award was first presented in Toronto in 2006 to Gordon M. Nixon, President & CEO, RBC Financial Group; in 2007 it was presented outside Toronto for the first time to the Richardson Family. It was most recently presented in Toronto to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.

A portion of the proceeds from the Dinner will increase the Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, thereby ensuring ongoing support for vital programs and services. Proceeds will also assist CIJA, the non-partisan national advocacy agent of the Jewish Federations of Canada, with a special project reflecting the Asper family's interests and goals. This special project will be announced by the Asper family at the Dinner.

"There is no Canadian individual, family or institution more deserving of this honour than the Asper family and their Foundation. They are tireless philanthropists, who have led by example to meaningfully support the countless causes that have improved the lives of all who have been touched by their incredible generosity and vision," said Stu Clark, Dinner Co-Chair.

Since 1938, the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and its predecessors have been dedicated to sustaining a strong and vibrant community. Its focus is on building community, communicating with the community at large and advocating and supporting the needs of our most vulnerable. For more information on the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and the Words & Deeds Leadership Award Dinner, please go to www.wordsanddeeds.ca

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For more information:

Shimon Fogel
Chief Executive Officer
CIJA
(613) 234-8271 x 240
sfogel@cija.ca

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