The Oshry | Kipnes Jewish Community Centre is the kind of project people are drawn to support for personal and deeply meaningful reasons. For Suzanne Davis and Ted Croll, those reasons come from both lived experience and a shared belief in what a strong Jewish community can provide.

Suzanne has been closely tied to the project from the start. As a Jewish Federation board member, she was part of the group that helped approve and move the initial concept forward. That involvement gave her a clear view of what the Oshry | Kipnes JCC could become, but her motivation goes beyond her role.

“It's a gathering place where all Jews are welcome, whether they're Conservative, Orthodox or Reform. They can all come together.” It is especially important, she says, “for kids to feel comfortable. Because growing up in the Jewish community and being part of it is what shapes you as a Jewish adult.”

That sense of belonging from an early age is central to why Suzanne and Ted chose to give. Early experiences shape how people connect to their identity, and having a space where that connection feels natural can make a lasting difference.

Their philanthropy reflects a strong commitment to the next generation and a desire to help others access the same kinds of opportunities they value.

“We don't have children, but it's important to us that our giving stays in our community,” Suzanne says. “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. That’s also why we started a fund for PJ Library. All my great-nieces and nephews are signed up, and we've also signed up friends of ours, especially those who are married to non-Jewish partners. They all love it. Our family also has a fund in honour of our father. Our parents modelled community leadership and philanthropy.”

That same mindset carries into their support of the Oshry | Kipnes JCC. Their goal is to make it easier for young families and children to access Jewish life in ways that feel welcoming and consistent.

Maintaining a Jewish identity in a small community

Ted grew up in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, where the Jewish community was about as small as it gets, just seven families.

“We went to shul for the High Holidays, where Mr. Rosenblat led the services, because we didn't have a rabbi anymore,” Ted says. “Notwithstanding the small numbers, I was always aware of our identity.”

That awareness stayed. Seeing others who share your culture and having a place to gather builds confidence and connection, and helps a Jewish community thrive.

The right building at the right time

The project shifted from a concept Suzanne supported to an investment she wanted to make.

“Inside the building, it was love at first sight,” she says. “I had been unsure at first, because I've driven past that building many times, and it was just the brown square building. But inside, I could see its potential.”

She began to see the building not as it had been, but what it could become.

Suzanne and Ted’s support reflects a broader vision behind the Oshry | Kipnes JCC. The project is shaped by people who understand the importance of connection and want to see it continue. That understanding comes from growing up in an active Jewish community, or from experiencing what it feels like when that community is small or harder to access.

For Suzanne and Ted, those perspectives meet in the same place. A strong Jewish community depends on having somewhere people can gather, build relationships and feel connected from an early age. Their contribution helps make that opportunity possible for the next generation.

Find out how you can give to the Oshry | Kipnes JCC endowment fund today.