Most people think of giving as sacrifice.
Michael and Janette Diamond see it differently.
For them, giving has never been about what is given up, but about what is gained—a deeper sense of purpose, connection, and responsibility to something larger than themselves. Their story is about how a life of giving takes shape, rooted in memory, experience, and an enduring commitment to the Jewish people and to the Canadian way of life.
Janette’s understanding of tzedakah began in a small Ontario town, where her family was the only Jewish household. The daughter of Holocaust survivors, she grew up watching her parents quietly rebuild a life grounded in resilience and dignity. Her father owned a modest department store that served the surrounding farming community. One winter, several local impoverished families came in with lists of their children’s names and ages, asking him to select Christmas gifts on their behalf. Janette remembers vividly that, while her family had very little at the time, her father never hesitated. With Janette’s help, he would choose clothing and small gifts, ensuring that each family could celebrate with dignity. It was an early, unspoken lesson: true generosity is not about abundance—it is about heart.
Michael’s path was shaped by a different, but equally powerful, influence. Growing up in the early years of Israel’s statehood, he was raised in a home where Jewish identity and communal responsibility were inseparable. His parents were deeply involved in synagogue life and in building Toronto’s Jewish institutions. From them, he absorbed a lasting truth: to belong to the Jewish people is both a privilege and a responsibility—to strengthen community, support one another, and ensure continuity for future generations.
Together, Michael and Janette transformed these early lessons into a lifetime of leadership and philanthropy. Their commitment to UJA reflects a deeply held belief: when the centre of a community is strong—caring for the vulnerable, nurturing Jewish identity, supporting education, sustaining connections to Israel, and standing up for Jewish Canadian rights—the entire community flourishes.
Their giving is also profoundly personal. In memory of their beloved son Jesse, they established the Jesse Diamond Internship with Ve’ahavta, creating opportunities for individuals seeking a fresh start. Attending graduations and hearing participants speak about how their lives have changed has only deepened their conviction: when you help change a life, something within you changes as well.
That is the quiet paradox at the heart of their story. Giving may begin as an act for others, but its benefit inevitably returns to the giver, bringing meaning, perspective, and an enduring sense of purpose.
Today, that legacy lives on through their children and grandchildren, who are already carrying forward this same understanding: that through generosity, we do not just support a community and a people—we help shape their future.