Last Updated on August 9, 2024
Montreal real estate investor Ami Reiss is the president of Reiss Management, well-known in the metropolitan area for its portfolio of quality residential properties. He is also the founder of the Ami Reiss Charitable Foundation, which seeks to make a dramatic difference in the lives of people and communities in Montreal and beyond. Recently Ami Reiss discussed his philosophy of giving, and the charities he is proud to support.
Q: What was your goal in establishing the Ami Reiss Charitable Foundation?
Ami Reiss: To understand the foundation, I think you must first know a bit about me. I am an Orthodox Jew with value predicated on the Torah, which I try to study every day. This tradition and set of principles is the compass I use to find my purpose and inspiration. Charitable giving, or Tzedaka, as it is called in Hebrew, is a fundamental pillar of the teachings in the Torah, and is a core element of who I am, and who I strive to be.
Q: What are some of the charities you have chosen to support?
Ami Reiss: Our focus now is mainly on schools, medical organizations, synagogues, federations, food banks and special needs charities. In practice, this includes support for students at Hebrew Academy and Yeshiva Aderes; these are schools with educational philosophies which we believe in.
Hatzolo and Vefuah V’Chesed are two examples of medical organizations with a focus on the needs of the Montreal community whose work we value dearly and support. The Family Store in Montreal is able to subsidize the cost of food for hundreds of families in need, a form of Tzedaka that we very much take pleasure in participating in, as it strives to help rather than simply give.
The foundation is also a long-time supporter of the Combined Jewish Appeal, as well as the Montreal Torah Center, Kollel Keser Torar, Biet Chabbad, Cabad TMR and the Chai Center, whose missions are all to strengthen Jewish life, and the general wellbeing of the communities they serve. The Friendship Circle and Camp HASC are two organizations focusing on special needs children that we are proud to support.
Q: It seems you prefer to focus on needs that are close to home. Is this a conscious choice?
Ami Reiss: I’ve always believed that we must first support the needs of our own community and then extend our reach as far as it can go. As someone who grew up in Montreal, became successful here, and who loves the city, I know the people and the neighborhoods well. I see the hardships, and have learned based on years of experience in property management how to target resources to effectively address social issues. I’ve learned that education and faith provide strong support to individuals and families, giving people the skills and inspiration to rise from their circumstances.
I believe that food and medicine are basic rights for all people, or should be. No one in Canada should ever go hungry, or lack the medicine and care they need. And I am very aware that some children need a higher level of assistance and attention, which is why special needs charities are so important to me, and to my foundation.
