16 | AUGUST 29 • 2024 J N W hen Dan Brotman began his position as executive direction of the Windsor Jewish Federation and Community Centre in 2020, the community’s demographics were discouraging. From an estimated high of 2,300-3,000 in the 1930-50s, Windsor’s Jewish population had dwindled to about 1,200, many of whom are elderly. Some had left to larger cities such as Toronto or to warmer climates in the U.S. Brotman felt that something had to be done to sustain the community and that life in Windsor offered some overlooked advantages. He cites a lower cost of living, proximity to the U.S. and a close-knit supportive Jewish community. Windsor has Reform and Orthodox synagogues as well as a Chabad center and a Federation-run seniors’ resi- dence. “If you bring in new blood, you’ll have fresh ideas,” Brotman says. Some recruitment ads — mostly online — and webinars were developed along with a word-of- mouth campaign for J Welcome Home — its offi- cial name. The first Jewish newcomer to Windsor actually came through a previous contact with Dan Brotman. Marion Zeller, who lived in Johannesburg, South Africa, met Brotman on a trip to Israel in 2002. She and her husband, Stuart, were planning to leave South Africa because they wanted “a better future for their children and themselves and more work- life balance.” Through Facebook, Zeller learned that Brotman was executive director at the Windsor Jewish Federation and contacted him. Canada appealed to Zeller as a possible new home, and the couple visited Hamilton, Toronto and Windsor to check them out. Brotman enlisted members of Windsor’s Jewish community to help Stuart Zeller find a job and, when he did, the couple’s decision to move to Windsor was set. “The community has been fantastic. The people are lovely and welcoming,” Zeller says. In Windsor, they appreciate the proximity to nature, more family time and opportunities for their chil- dren, as well as easy and fun visits to the U.S. Brotman says their original target market was Jewish individuals living in other parts of Canada, as well other countries including Israel. However, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza resulted in increased interest in migration to Canada, especially when the Canadian government developed a temporary three- year open visa program, making it easier for some individuals from war-torn countries to live and work in Canada. Brotman says that Jewish communities across Canada have experienced an influx of Israelis since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7. He says that poten- tial Jewish individuals from Brazil, South Africa, Ukraine and Israel have visited Windsor, meeting members of the Jewish community and exploring local life. “We are helping them with paperwork, jobs and registering,” Brotman says. The special visa program ends in July 2025. To date, three Jewish families, including the Zellers, have moved to Windsor. The Zellers emigrated in 2022 and soon Marion Zeller will take over the recruitment campaign as the new executive director of the Windsor Jewish Federation. She replaced Brotman as of Aug. 6. Brotman is beginning a graduate program at the London School of Economics. (See sidebar.) Windsor’s newcomer recruitment program shows success. Canada Says ‘Welcome’ SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER OUR COMMUNITY O n Aug. 6, Marion Zeller, formerly of Johannesburg, South Africa, took over duties as executive director of the Windsor Jewish Federation and Community Centre. Zeller and her family moved to Windsor in 2022 — the first new- comers recruited by the Windsor Jewish community to expand its small population. Zeller graduated from the University of Witwatersrand and received an MBA from the Gordon Institute of Business, both in South Africa. She has a decade of experi- ence in marketing, business and communi- ty engagement. Zeller was an active member and vol- unteer in Johannesburg’s large Jewish community. Prior to the family’s move to Canada, she worked at a business incuba- tor. The search committee for the Windsor executive director position was unanimous in its support for Zeller, stating that they were “impressed with her vision, passion, as well as her relation-building and collab- oration skills.” Her goal in her new position is to “bring the community back to life and back together after COVID.” She anticipates planning more events so that community members “have a reason to come to the JCC — a center where they feel welcome regardless of their affiliation.” “I am excited for the opportunity to play an integral part of the Windsor Jewish community and work together with its members to grow and build. It is their strength, shared vision and values that will build our community’s future.” The center was closed during COVID for health reasons, she says, so rebuilding is necessary. Zeller and her husband are mem- bers of Windsor’s Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, and her children attend the Chabad Hebrew School there. Zeller replaces Dan Brotman who will be pursuing a master’s degree in international migration and public policy at the London School of Economics. Brotman began the Windsor Jewish community’s effort to recruit Jewish newcomers from other parts of Canada and overseas. Leadership Transition at Windsor Jewish Federation Dan Brotman Marion Zeller (second from left) and her family: daughter Emma, husband Stuart and son Rafael RICCI GOLDSTEIN PHOTOGRAPHY