The Judaean Alumni Edition SPRING 2021 Engaging and Empowering Canadian Jewish Youth Engaging Engaging and Empowering Canadian Jewish Youth Engaging

CANADIAN | 788 MARLEE AVENUE | , | M6B 3K1 | message from the board update from executive director Canadian young judaeA Message Update from the from Board Executive Director Let me start by saying that 2020 has been a year like no other, and I am incredibly proud of how CYJ’s staff It is hard to believe that over a year and volunteers responded, guided has passed since the beginning of by our purpose: to strengthen our COVID and we are still uncertain young members’ Jewish identity and about so much. Will there be camp this connection to Jewish community, all summer? Will Biluim operate? the challenges the Movement has faced, that children and teens can continue with an emphasis on the centrality of When will we offer in person programs they will always support us. There are to benefit from the life-changing Israel. And we did that all virtually. As we are more committed than ever to full of bonfires on the waterfront, shira and conventions again? The truth is, those who have stepped up offering experiences CYJ has to offer them. we all know, CYJ and our camps are growing the CYJ Camper Scholarship in the chadar, and sweaty rikkud, all I simply do not know. The situation their professional expertise and those all about the in-person experiences, Fund. Our goal is to deliver on our experienced by thousands of young seems to change daily. Like the rest of who have given us unbelievable insight I believe by our next edition, life will so pivoting to a virtual format hasn’t mission and ensure that every Jewish CYJ’ers from BC to Nova Scotia who you, I try to take it day by day, hoping into virtual education. Our donors slowly be going back to the ‘old normal,’ been easy. It also hasn’t been an child can experience the transformative make a permanent home in their for the best and planning for every who ensured we opened our doors in and I will be able to report all the easy year because our organization magic of Jewish overnight camp. hearts and minds for their Jewish eventuality. September and continue to support innovative and exciting things that are depends on our camp revenue to identity, their Jewish community, and us so that CYJ is guaranteed a future. happening in Canadian Young Judaea. subsidize and operate our amazing While our staff continue to work the State of Israel. There are a number of things that I Volunteers who have helped us with year-round programs from coast to tirelessly to find new and innovative have learnt over the last year. Our outreaches by driving their children to Until then, keep safe. coast. A summer without camp meant ways to engage our young members, Chazak Ve’Ematz, affiliated camp directors (Liza, Guy, drop off Mishloach Manot, Tu B’shvat us reaching out to our community to our Board has been working feverishly Sarah, Shauna, Rebecca, Mark, and kits, or gathering winter clothes and Chazak Ve’Ematz. help keep CYJ alive while we navigated in the background to develop a Daniel Sourani, Gaston) are truly inspirational. They donating food to various charities. these unprecedented times. So, my strategic plan to protect the legacy of Vice Chair, Board of Directors have worked tirelessly in the hope that Risa Epstein second ‘thank you’ is to our community this 100+ year old organization that Canadian Young Judaea they will reopen their camps to campers I also want to thank our office staff (Jen, National Executive Director of donors and supporters: you kept means so much to all of us – and take and staff this summer, and they are Ellie, and Agnes) who have been able our mission and vision alive despite it to new heights. We’re exploring new considering all probable scenarios in to keep the wheels of CYJ well-greased significant personal challenges, and you avenues to engage you, our alumni, their plan. I am honoured to work with and running. Despite working from continue to do so today. On behalf of in an effort to find ways to secure our such a dedicated and passionate team. home, reduced hours, and uncertainty, the thousands of campers, staff, and future through strategic investments CYJ’s local educational programmers they have proven that CYJ is family to alumni we engage each year: thank you. and partnerships with like-minded (Jacki, Naomi, Eden, and Justine) them. They are willing and able to jump organizations. We’re also planning to have managed to do the seemingly in whenever and wherever it is needed. We’ve entered 2021 with determination hold our very first community town impossible, engaging our youth CYJ is lucky to have such loyal people on and even greater aspirations. hall later this year to solicit valuable continuously with virtual programming. the team. Our donors’ support has not only feedback from you on how we can be They have found ways to conquer “Zoom allowed us to run programming for even better going forward. Stay tuned. Fatigue” and keep our YJ’ers involved Finally, I would like to thank the Board of hundreds of campers and staff this in value-based programming and Directors of CYJ. They have supported year, but has also given our Board I joined this Board because my community outreaches. The successes all the work we do. They have been the latitude to spend more time experience and my belief are that are numerous despite the difficult times strategists, policy makers, fundraisers, preparing for the years that will follow CYJ serves a higher purpose than we are all experiencing. To them I say and champions. It would not have this global pandemic. We know that simply offering summer camps, Israel Kol Ha’kavod and Toda Raba! been possible for the Movement to many members of our community programs, and year-round activities There have been so many Alumni have thrived during this pandemic if it are experiencing serious financial – and this has never been more true who have reached out to tell me how were not for them. They are the ones challenges, and it is to this end that than now. Our future is a bright one; important CYJ is to them, that despite who work in the background to ensure

// 1 // 2 Canadian young judaeA region coordinator check-in region coordinator check-in Canadian young judaeA Region Region Coordinator Coordinator Central Region Check-In Atlantic Region Check-In Jacki Stein Justine Balin Here in the Central Region, our JOLT and Youth Council programming It has been an exciting start to the new is still running strong despite the Western Region year for Halifax’s JOLT programming! In pandemic. In JOLT, we have worked with January, our theme was Hope and how programming coordinators from across Eden Gutterman to find it in times of darkness. The teens different regions in Canada to adapt our Eastern Region eagerly participated in a discussion outreaches to maintain the safety of our Things here on the West Coast have surrounding this theme and even looked participants while still having a deep and Naomi Salama been going very well! Since the new year, through newspapers to find hopeful meaningful impact in our communities. our CYJ Alumim program participants headlines amidst the dreary news. Our outreaches have included local While this year has definitely been have learned about Tu B’Shvat, Purim During our outreach, the teens came park clean-ups, winter clothing drives, different, our virtual programming is and the importance of spreading together to bake over 100 brownies food drives, and so much more. One better than we could have imagined! Kindness now and always. Our JOLT and cookies for Hope Cottage, a non- unique, unexpected benefit to running We ended 2020 with a beautiful JOLT participants have been collecting books profit organization that serves meals to our programming virtually is that it has outreach where we collected over for a book drive, learning about empathy those who experience homelessness allowed us to add extra meeting days 100 holiday cards for the patients and in a time of social media. Our Youth in Halifax. The treats were very well and extend our outreaches to ensure healthcare workers at the Shriners Council has been hard at work planning received by Hope Cottage! that everyone who is interested is able to Hospital here in Montreal. We started lots of programs, including helping to participate, regardless of busy schedules. 2021 off by putting up hopeful messages lead the Hatikvah x CYJ RAK (random For February, we focused on compassion This has helped us have a farther and in our windows for passersby to see acts of Kindness) week. We’ve been and specifically how we can be kind to wider reach than ever before! and started a compassion chain on encouraging our community to help ourselves during difficult times. After Instagram. Our Chalutzim (grades 6&7) spread Kindness in a time when people a meaningful meeting, we projected Our Toronto Youth Council has also are gearing up to lead their own mitzvah can use some extra love in their lives the our kind intentions into the Halifax been extremely hard at work planning projects to help the members of their most. The week concluded with a Rikud Jewish community as we volunteered social media campaigns, fundraisers communities through this difficult time. dance party led by none other than the at the Atlantic Jewish Council Purim and programs for kids in the Toronto best Rikud instructor in Canada, Mark Carnival. Even through the pandemic, CYJ community. This group has taken so The national Manhigim program has Kachuck. It was so much fun! the outdoor, socially distanced carnival much initiative and been so dedicated, also been going really well, and now was able to run, and our teens had fun passionate, and committed to using that we have looked at the “how”, I have been so pleased with the running playful booths and engaging this time to develop and run incredible “what”, and most importantly the “why” attendance for our programs, as I know with the community. Our Youth Council programs for our community. So much of CYJ, our members are almost ready most teens would rather have in-person has been brainstorming ideas and is so, that we have been contacted by to start planning their own programs. programs. The great thing about virtual going to try to focus on social media- Jewish community members outside Our Montreal Youth Council has also programs is that we’ve been able to based initiatives that feature the camp of CYJ asking if we could run these been putting a lot of work into their include our friends who don’t live in community. programs for their youth members as amazing on-demand content videos Vancouver, and we love getting to see well. They also took incredible leadership that are available on our Instagram (@ our out-of-town participants have this As the coordinator, I have been moved over our most recent fundraiser, the cyjmontreal) and YouTube channel (CYJ opportunity as well. by all the teens’ resilience and constant Purim Mishloach Manot, which ultimately Montreal). I continue to be amazed desire to do good for our community. became such an amazing success. I am so by the incredible Chanichim that have I’m looking forward to continuing to We have been lucky to be able to proud of how the members of the Central been participating in our year-round work with all of our program participants connect in person this month, and it Region CYJ community have adapted and programming this year, and I am so over the next few months leading up has been such a joy for me to be able to adjusted to our new normal this past inspired by the hard work they’ve been to summer. Hoping everyone is staying have genuine conversations without the year, which has allowed for an incredible putting in even though we can’t be healthy and safe. limitations of a screen. year of events and programming! together in person.

// 3 // 4 Canadian young judaeA CYJ Through the Years CYJ Through the Years Canadian young judaeA

Far left: Kadimah c1940 Left: Camp Hagshama, 1942 - raising the CYJ flags at mifkad Below: Saint John YJ Exec, c1930 Through 2nd below: Camp Hagshama 1942 the Years

Canadian Young Judaea has a rich and vibrant history that spans over 104 years. From coast to coast, year after year, young Jewish leaders have attended CYJ programs and summer camps, and have woven themselves into the fabric of this Movement.

Check out archives and images from different decades of our collective Movement history. This edition we will be highlighting the 1910’s through the 1940’s.

Top: 1948 2nd down: Camp Kadimah, 1944 Top right: Montreal, 1943 Right: First Convention of Canadian Young Judaea, 1919 - Philip Joseph Goldie Hoffman - later Joseph Samuel Cohen Below: Toronto, 1927

Do you have archives or images from your journey with CYJ? Camp photos from the glory years? Email ellie@ youngjudaea.ca to connect and share your piece of CYJ history.

// 5 // 6 Canadian young judaeA Arevim and Lev Updates Greetings from Hanoar Hatzioni Canadian young judaeA Arevim Greetings & Lev from Hanoar Updates Hatzioni

Arevim Masa Year A Message to All of Service Update Young Leaders of CYJ

My name is Yishai Thau and I was born The call for dynamic and adaptive others. In this regard, leadership is and raised in Los Angeles, California. leadership in our communities has never about capacity building, communication, I’m originally from a modern orthodox Machane Lev Update about our daily happenings and even been more crucial. Times are uncertain and creating space for discussion. household, so naturally I wanted to our favourite kinds of fruits! Machane and unpredictable, and the language of This is incredibly important as young come visit Israel for a year and fulfil Like all summer camps, all of us at Lev has given our campers, staff, leadership has had to evolve to meet in the Diaspora when we engage the dream that so many Diaspora Jews Machane Lev are incredibly hopeful and families space to celebrate their these new and changing demands. in difficult discussions and aim to be have of spending a year in Israel. I that camp will be approved to run this identities and bond over shared lived Leadership can no longer be reduced agents of positive representation for our wanted to do something meaningful, summer. Machane Lev is entering its experiences. This community continues to a title or position. It is a deliberate communities. so volunteering was always at the fourth summer, and each day we are to inspire and warm the hearts of practice and behaviour that is best forefront of my mind. I also had 3 years growing stronger and stronger as a everyone involved. expressed with compassion, emotional Young leaders are the custodians of experience working with young kids vibrant and engaged community. We intelligence, and vision to empower of culture and shape our youth at my synagogue day care, so teaching are already on track to have our largest While this summer may look different others. This means that leadership movements. Engaging in leadership English to 1st-3rd graders sounded season, with new campers joining our from others, the ruach and the love is accessible to everyone. Each of us compels us to venture outside our right up my alley. family every month. of this community will keep our has the ability to shift the status quo comfort zones, challenge the status quo, remarkable place whole. and create change in our community. and deliberately foster the culture that Once I finally began working at King Machane Lev is more than just a one- Engaging in leadership as a practice we want to see in our community. In Solomon School, I knew I made the week overnight experience. We are an Chazak Ve’Ematz! provides our young leaders with the this regard, leadership takes courage, right choice. It’s been one of the most all-inclusive family that celebrates and tools to navigate through ambivalence, but it is worth the risk. rewarding and meaningful experiences elevates our campers and their loved Gaston and Mark develop resilience, and approach I’ve ever had. Every day I get to see ones. We have been running monthly Co-Directors challenges with dynamic ideas. Zoe Brash kids’ faces light up when they get the programs virtually since last fall, which Coordinator of Europe And English- material we’re learning. It’s almost has given our friends, old and new, Leadership is the ability to mobilise Speaking Countries more than a paycheque to know you’re a chance to connect and celebrate others and empower them to do better, Hanoar Hatzioni making that much of an impact even on special moments together. We’ve made not because they have to, but because just one person. Hanukkah candles and planted seeds in they want to. Funnily enough, the most our own painted pots for Tu B’Shvat, to dynamic, intelligent, and impactful - Yishai Thau, Arevim Participant 2020 name a few. forms of leadership I’ve witnessed have been when followers do not experience One of the most memorable things anything remotely close to the idea of To learn more about Arevim Masa Year to witness is the connections formed followership. This is what distinguishes of Service, visit www.hholamit.org.il/ through our monthly programs. As a leadership from power and authority. en/arevim-en or contact Risa Epstein at small community, we have campers [email protected] join our programs ranging from ages I am a firm believer that our young 7-17. Yet we’re able to transcend these leaders must have a strong foundation age gaps over warm conversations of values and ethics from which they lead. Self-awareness is imperative to understanding and awareness of

// 7 // 8 Canadian young judaeA mazel tovs MAZEL TOVS Canadian young judaeA

Mazel Mazel Tovs Tovs weddings, engagements & births weddings, engagements & births

Alana Engelberg, Biluim 2009 Suzanne Carson, Biluim 2001 Rory Nathan Ray Rembach Zev Smith, Biluim 2006 Huss Hirjee Ruth Levin, Biluim 2003 Brian Rembach, Biluim 2005 Mercedes Smith, Biluim 2006

Georgia Brett Penn Wilder Zimmerman Brayden Eric Zworth Micah Charlie Waltman Joseph Ely Lily Maytal Tali Dick, Biluim 2002 Matthew Zimmerman Emily Teichman, Biluim 2004 Brian Waltman, CIT 2004 Elliotte, Biluim 2000 Lauren Gans, Biluim 2016 Duncan Meadows Jamie Zimmerman, Biluim 2003 Jonathan Zworth Kim Waltman, CIT 2004 Yael Samuel Yonatan Lipsitz

// 9 // 10 Canadian young judaeA Life Cycle of the Judaean Life Cycle of the Judaean Canadian young judaeA

Life Cycle We begin our JOURNEY at one 1 of the CYJ Junior Camps. of the Camp Shalom, Gravenhurst, ON 6 Camp Kadimah, Halifax, NS Camp Kinneret, Mont Tremblant, QC Judaean Camp Hatikvah, Oyama, BC Machane Lev, ON Conventions, Conventions, Conventions!

MIFGASH MACHANE CHOREF EAST MEETS WEST

Each year, CYJ hosts a National Machane Choref is our national Each year, this Movement Mifgash (meeting). Mifgash is leadership development brings together a group of a time to come together as a convention. Held in the winter, 16-year-old future Biluim Movement for a weekend to we bring chanichim together Canada participants. These celebrate all that makes CYJ from all across the country to participants are hosted at special. Enjoy social and fun develop and hone in on their Camp Hatikvah in beautiful programming, time to meet leadership and team building Oyama, BC. The goal is to build Year-round programming starts with new friends and hang out with skills. Celebrate shabbat with lasting friendships, begin their 2 old ones, and observe shabbat your CYJ family and learn, grow, leadership training together, the Alumim Program & Lev in the City! CYJ camp style! Experience a and explore! and strengthen the bond of the whole summer of camp fun in Judaeans from coast to coast. Alumim or Youth is our first with friends from camp, as well just one weekend! chanichim age group. Participants as enjoying programs that range in these programs can expect some from social, Jewish, hands-on, spectacular programming. Making and educational, is at the core of new friends and spending time Alumim Programs.

5 3 Up next… Chalutzim Program! Teen programming is our specialty, Chalutzim or Pioneers, come start learning about this important join JOLT & Youth Council! together to learn about the value of value. Chanichim can expect to get Tikkun Olam, Repairing the World, a better understanding of what Jewish Outreach Leadership Youth Council is a council of in a fun and engaging setting. This a social justice cause is, and start Training, or JOLT, is Canadian the Movement’s most dedicated program is designed to transition their leadership development. Young Judaea’s flagship program participants. Campers who our campers from Alumim and for teen community outreach. participate in Youth Council have During the year, JOLT partners with the opportunity to plan and execute various organizations to give teens events that are meant to be fun, the chance to bring about positive engaging and reminiscent of camp. change within the community. These programs are planned from conception by the Council, with only In JOLT, you not only feel rewarded the guidance and support of staff Graduated Camp Shalom? 4 for your effort, but you will have a in training. The success of these ton of fun! events is truly attributed to the Next stop… Camp Solelim! hard work of the Youth Council.

Camp Solelim, Sudbury, ON

//11 //12 Canadian young judaeA Life Cycle of the Judaean Life Cycle of the Judaean Canadian young judaeA

7 It’s time for your Leadership Summer! Biluim Canada Camp Kadimah CIT

The Manhigim Program puts our skills to work! 8 The Manhigim Program is for our Senior will dive deep into sessions on leadership, Leaders. It is our chanichim’s final stage program development, and specialized of leadership development before you training preparing you for the days of become a staff member! This program summer and Movement staffing.

9 The Final Year as a Chanich.

Biluim Israel & A Year of Israel and Holocaust Education I am a CYJ Alumni… Now what?

Your time with CYJ does not end once through volunteerism or donations, you have graduated from camp. 11 or involving your own family in CYJ Our alumni network is the key to the programming if/when the time comes, Movement’s success. Whether it is without our Alumni, CYJ would not have is not behind you! Become a 10 attending an event with your best camp been able to flourish for the over 100 years friends, giving back to our community of our existence. Madrich at one of our eight affiliated camps!

// 13 // 14 Canadian young judaeA IMPACT REPort Winston Memorial Canadian young judaeA The Impact of our Community Winston Launched our Print Alumni Newsletter engaging Memorial Milton Winston over 3000 alumni Memorial across the country Over We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of the former President and Arevim Masa Chairman of the Camp Kinneret-Biluim Year of 200 Board of Directors, Milton Winston z”l. bringing together many diverse ethnic Milton interviewed Israeli political and Service groups so that they would also have civic leaders, including Prime Ministers, new camp staff attending Over several decades, Milton dedicated representation in the media. He brought members of the cabinet and of the Launches monthly training sessions himself to ensuring the continued the same vision to his radio program, Knesset, former mayor of Jerusalem with 8 with all CYJ affiliated growth and excellence of Camp known as “Chai Montreal on the Radio”. Teddy Kollek, and current mayor of participants! camp directors Kinneret-Biluim, and he worked tirelessly Tel Aviv Ron Huldai. One of his most behind the scenes to ensure that memorable and poignant Chai Montreal countless youth were able to benefit moments was when he was on the from CKB’s transformative experience. tarmac at the Tel Aviv airport filming the Milton’s passion for our camp and arrival of two aircraft, one with Russian Canadian Young Judaea inspired our Jewish olim and one with members of participants engaging drive to excellence, and we are forever the Beta Israel (Ethiopian) community, 100+ thankful for Milton’s encouragement, thereby encapsulating what Israel meant in Israeli & Holocaust support, and leadership. to him. Programming Milton was born January 14, 1930 and Milton also dedicated his time to was married to Ellen Vineberg for 67 Canadian Young Judaea, and in years. He was the father of Tamara, particular, to Camp Kinneret-Biluim, Lisa (CKB’s current President) and for which he served as Board Member, Peter Villani, David, and Stephen; the President and Chairman of the Board. grandfather of Talya and Jonah, Sarah, He was a long-time supporter of the Michayel, Benyamin, Romi, and Nolan; ideals of Canadian Young Judaea and and the brother of the late Edwin Camp Kinneret-Biluim. Having worked Machane Lev community has Teens engaged in year-round Winston. in his mother’s shop on St. Urbain Street grown by 35% for summer of 2021 programs to develop leadership as a teenager during the summers, Milton was a lawyer and teacher Milton focused on Jewish and Israeli he realized the importance of getting

200 200 skills based on Jewish Values who enjoyed teaching Business Law topics, travelling to many countries to children out of the city and into the Mishloach Manot at John Abbott College for many showcase the diverse Jewish mosaic. country air. Milton has been part of the DELIVERED in Toronto years. A pioneer of community TV From his first international interview camp’s growth, seeing many generations programming, Milton was the creator with the curators of the Anne Frank of children enjoying the summer camp 100+ thanks to Youth CounciL and producer of Chai Montreal, a weekly Museum in Amsterdam in the early experience. TV program broadcast on local cable 1970s, to visiting the Jewish community stations in Montreal, with viewership and its leadership in Poland living under Our thoughts and prayers go out in Eastern Canada, Upstate New York, communism, to meeting the leaders to Milton’s wife and children and CYJ is more than just a Youth Movement. Canadian Young To make a donation, and Vermont. Since the 1970s, Milton in the Tunisian Jewish community in grandchildren who share Milton’s Judaea is a shared history, a collection of passionate, please visit was the architect behind original Djerba, Milton brought the voices of the passion for everything CKB and CYJ. driven individuals, and a willingness to open yourself ethnic programming in Montreal, Jewish diaspora to Montreal. In Israel, up to growth and possibility. www.youngjudaea.ca/donation or email [email protected] // 15 // 16 Canadian young judaeA CHW, Featured Alumni Featured Alumni Canadian young judaeA

CHW educational objectives are to promote at Camp Solelim just under hers, and inspire fresh ways to look at ancient security. That was the expression of my leadership, Tikkun Olam, development along with my brother Jon’s. rituals. Activities like weaving arts, Jewish desire to do Tikun Olam, to contribute Update of Jewish identity, and deepening wisdom, and meditation and ritual bring to creating a world with more just and community engagement. CHW is proud You work with, and have developed, together spiritual voices that combine equitable systems. Over time, these two to be connected with CYJ and helping to so many incredible programs and integrity and innovation. There, I’m paths - the inner and the outer - began make an impact in the lives of so many initiatives ranging from activism to sharing teachings on the new moon; a to merge. I learnt that much of what I As the newly-appointed National young people. rabbinical work to being elected to podcast on the full moon that explores loved about Buddhism exists in Judaism Executive Director, I am thrilled to take work with the United Nations. What the spiritual themes of the month; and as well. I saw my own tradition now as over the leadership of CHW, growing Warm regards, are some of the highlights of your virtual retreats to connect to the holidays. one that holds both profound theology our presence to achieve our mission work so far? with commitment to action. Intellectual to passionately support programs and Lisa Colt Kotler What inspired you to become an and spiritual. Inspiring, grounded, services for Children, Healthcare, and National Executive Director Tlv Seaside Shabbes is a minyan that activist, rabbi, leader? And, what is practical, and communal. And so I began Women in Israel and Canada. I founded and co-lead on the shores your vision for the future, for your a path to become a Rabbi. And for of Tel Aviv. It would bring over a work, community, etc.? me, being a Rabbi includes activism, it hundred people - ranging from Israeli includes creativity, building community, to American, religious to secular, Tel My inspiration for the path that I have and being honest and critical of the Avivim and Yerushalmim, to welcome chosen came from a few different systems that we have upheld until Shabbat with a spirited, song-filled places. In my undergrad, at McGill, I now. And it’s most importantly about kabbalat shabbat on the beach. We studied Buddhism and International exploring imagination for a future would combine carlebach tunes with Development. I always had an interest that is better for all of the earth and meditation and a bunch of l’chaims - and on one hand, on the philosophical, its inhabitants, while bringing that welcome the shabbat as the sun set on the spiritual, the inner world. In my imagination into our daily lives. year program that brings internationals the water. Buddhism classes (which eventually to do Israeli - Palestinian peace work. became more inclusive of Chassidut), For the future, I hope to build a Jewish I am an elected member of Religions I got to touch that inner realm, the community that is based on integrity My work with Living Jewishly, which seeks for Peace, a multi religious organization existential, the mysterious, the to our humanistic values and whose to create innovative and creative Jewish where religions work together to build contemplative. On the other hand, in rituals and practice give guidance to learning and ritual experience, also a peaceful world. Its members are my international development studies people in our lives- helping us thrive in has its roots in my camp experiences. On a national level, each year Canadian Featured clergy from over 100 different countries, - it was all focused on the outer world, our humanness - and let that inner work CYJ taught me the value of leadership, Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) provides funding spanning all of the world’s religions, social justice, climate change, food inspire how we show up for the world at of community, and of building Jewish to Canadian Young Judaea summer including Indigenous communities. large. identity in a way that is empowering, camps in Canada for the purpose of Alumni It is an incredible network of people meaningful, and fun. I bring these reinforcing a strong Jewish identity for committed to amplifying religious How did CYJ have an influence experiences into my education work, young people. As a committed funding Rachel Rosenbluth values and religious communal power on your work both in Israel and creating Jewish experiences that are partner, CHW is proud to support this as a platform for building just and internationally? inspiring and uplifting. I am not interested wonderful organization which benefits Please tell us about your background, harmonious societies, gender equality, in Jewish tradition or practice simply children and youth both in Canada and your CYJ camper/staff history. freedom of thought, and education. CYJ gave me a connection to Israel because it is tradition - I am interested and in Israel. Each summer, CYJ Biluim This can also include any family that Meeting with Sheikhs, Imams, priests, that gave space for nuance and in it because it makes my life better, Israel participants from across Canada were also Judaeans. nuns, monks, elders, and other rabbis thoughtfulness, and that allowed me it grounds me, and helps me live in a visit CHW daycares to entertain and from around the world has been a to really build my own connection with way that contributes to society. Tasting play with the children. Junior CIT’s are Biluim of 2005! really wonderful experience. It’s also Israel that includes both a deep love for the true joy of chevreh, community, of invited to volunteer at CHW day care inspired my travels around the world to the culture, the vibe, and the vision - as shabbat as a time for joy and song and centres which builds lasting memories I grew up as a toddler stopping by connect with devotional communities well as holds values of social justice, dance, of the holidays as times with and provides a firsthand perspective of Camp Shalom for shabbat dinners (yoga ashram, sufi pilgrimage festival, care and compassion, as completely inspiring wisdom, and knowing that the positive impact of CHW’s efforts for once a summer. Finally, for Shorashim Indigenous communities), build bridges integral. That means building a society in Judaism is a collective effort, something children in Israel. (Juniors), I joined as an August Camper. and collaborate. Israel that is inclusive, and that can be a that both guides us but that welcomes On a local level, our Toronto Centre is I continued through Solelim, Biluim, project that really upholds Jewish values, our individual voices - is something that proud to support CYJ’s JOLT Program Biluim Israel and returned to be a staff I now work with Living Jewishly, a and working towards ending oppression I got at camp growing up. And it’s that (Jewish Outreach Leadership Training) at Solelim. My mom was Judaean, and I platform for developing creative Jewish of Palestinians. This is the root to the essence that I bring into my work as an which is a flagship program. The got to add my name to the famous rock experiences and education virtually - to work that I did with Achvat Amim, a gap educator and an artist today.

// 17 // 18 Canadian young judaeA Meet the Board Meet the Board Canadian young judaeA

The CYJ Board of Directors seeks to uphold Meet ‘Darkeinu’, or ‘Our Way’. As a pluralistic and Dugma Ishit inclusive Movement of powerful Jewish youth who connect deeply to our past and strive to the transform the present toward an ideal future. Mishpacha Yehudit Board Our philosophy is based on five values: Centrality of Israel

All of which constitute the core of the identity of the Young Judaean. Tikkun Olam

Sindi Kachuck Daniel Sourani Jewish Identity Outgoing ChairPerson Incoming ChairPerson

Brian Bossin Evelyn Buchbinder Hyla Pollak Lindsay Cohen Jodi Shapiro Rosalie Steinberg Treasurer Secretary Human Resources Machane Lev Liason & Deputy Treasurer Scholarship Committee Chair Medical Advisor

Tobi Leiderman Daniel Michaelson Sharlene Wilder Jessica Bronstein Zev Smith Josh Katz Biluim Israel Representative Legal Advisor Events Committee Chair Marketing and Communications Advisor Legal Advisor Financial Advisor

// 19 // 20 Epstein & Associates Law is a proud and long-time Students from Kindergarten supporter of Canadian to Grade 12 are benefiting from our tailored approach Young Judaea. to Virtual and In Person Private Tutoring

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“CYJ would not be Your support means we can continue to work towards a future of engaged, the same and inspired Jewish youth. without Toda Raba and Chazak Ve’Ematz! YOU”

CANADIAN YOUNG JUDAEA | 788 Marlee Ave. Toronto, ON M6B 3K1 (416) 781-5156 | [email protected]

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