One gift. A lifetime of impact.
The future is bright for our community! The Oshry | Kipnes Jewish Community Centre is scheduled to open by the end of 2026.
What makes a JCC special is the people, programs, and proud Jewish life that thrive in it. We have the building, but we need you bring it To Life—L’Chaim!
Your gift will be invested in an endowment fund at the Edmonton Jewish Community Charitable Foundation. Every year, interest from the fund will support operations and programming at the Oshry | Kipnes JCC. This will sustain the centre in perpetuity—forever.
It’s our turn to continue the tradition of building for those who come after us. We have three great options at levels to suit every donor.
Add your name to the L'Chaim Donor Board
Make a gift of $180-4,999 and we will add your name to the L'Chaim Donor Board on the main floor of the Oshry | Kipnes JCC. You can even pay monthly. Make your gift by August 31, 2026 to have your name included in time for the grand opening.
Name a building feature
Donors who give at the $5,000+ level have the opportunity name a feature in the building and pay their gift over five years. Installments start at just $67 per month. Contact Becky Saegert for more information at bsaegert@edjfed.org.
Participate at any gift level
The Oshry | Kipnes JCC is for all of us, and this is a chance for everyone to contribute. Be part of this important moment for our community with any level of gift. Give now.
Make your gift today at ecf.ca/lchaim. You will receive a tax receipt from the Edmonton Community Foundation.
A Jewish home to call our own.
Core features: Teen lounge | Kids’ play area | Library | Rooftop patio | Servery | Community event and meeting spaces | Accessible washrooms, entry ramp, and elevator | High level security
Prospective tenants: Jewish Federation | Temple Beth Ora | Jewish Family Services satellite office | Jewish Archives & Historical Society of Edmonton and Northern Alberta
Announcements and milestones
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When Lena and Victor Linetsky arrived in Canada in the 1980s from the former Soviet Union, they had no passports, no established support network, and an 11-month-old baby in their arms.
Like thous...
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For Katherine and Ronnie Ploit, supporting the Oshry | Kipnes Jewish Community Centre began as a straightforward decision—a modest gift to help bring the space to life.
It did not stay that way f...
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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 bo...
Frequently asked questions
The Oshry | Kipnes JCC will inspire a future rooted in our Jewish values, culture, and traditions. It will be a hub for Jewish life and a primary destination for Jewish engagement, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to connect, learn, and grow together.
Why do we need a JCC?
Welcome to our community living room! The JCC will be a primary destination for Jewish engagement, a centre of learning and celebration, and a connector to Jewish life. As a secular Jewish space, the new JCC will bring new opportunities to foster connections and belonging, while meeting the needs of our community for years to come.
Does the community want this?
The short answer is yes. We know this from extensive community consultations, surveys, and focus groups, followed by a community meeting and a vote that was overwhelmingly in favour of the project. The design was also shaped by the results of the consultation process.
Can we afford a JCC?
The long-term financial health of the JCC is a top priority. The building has been purchased with proceeds from the sale of the old JCC and is mortgage-free. We have also received a $1 million grant from the Government of Alberta. Our next step is to establish an endowment fund to offset the JCC's operating costs in perpetuity. There are naming opportunities for anyone to contribute to the endowment fund. Please contact Stacey Leavitt-Wright at ceo@edjfed.org or Becky Saegert at bsaegert@edjfed.org for more information.
Will people stop going to other institutions?
The JCC may be someone’s Jewish home or one of many Jewish institutions that engages them. Often, a JCC is the catalyst for exploring other Jewish institutions.
What are the key features of the JCC?
At approximately 19,500 ft2, there will be a social hall for simchas, Jewish arts and cultural events, and community celebrations, as well as a teen lounge, a family play area, comfortable space to relax and enjoy a nosh, and multipurpose rooms. The JCC will also be home to Jewish non-for-profits, including Jewish Federation, Temple Beth Ora, and the Jewish Archives and Historical Society of Edmonton and Northern Alberta.
What security features will be included?
We take community security very seriously. The JCC will include modern surveillance, controlled access points, and emergency preparedness plans. We are being advised by our Jewish community security network partners across the country and implementing established best practices.
Will there be a full kitchen?
The current plans allow for space for a cafe/serving space, which can be upgraded to a full kitchen. This upgrade is dependent on securing sufficient philanthropic support.
Will there be a Holocaust education centre?
The design allows for the addition of a Jewish Heritage and Holocaust Education Centre, which will be developed once grants and philanthropic support is secured.
Where is the JCC located and when will it open?
The building is located at 14205-109 Avenue. The location was chosen for its accessibility and centrality to where the census indicated the Jewish population lives. The JCC is tentatively scheduled to open in late 2026.
Is the building environmentally friendly?
The building will include energy-efficient systems, sustainable materials, and green space integration.
Generously supported by a grant from the Government of Alberta.
