Though it sounds counter-intuitive, Brahm Solomon’s Jewish identity solidified after he left the Jewish day school system and found himself in CEGEP and university. “It was something that I took for granted when I was in high school,” he recalls, “Judaism really became a part of my personal identity, and how I thought of myself, when I started interacting with people of other cultures.”

He began going to synagogue and, more recently, he has developed an interest in Jewish community service, which drew him to Federation CJA’s West Island Leadership Development (WILD) program.

Though new to Jewish community work, Solomon, 25, has some well defined ideas about how to extend the reach of Federation CJA on the West Island and about how to attract more young people into the fold. It should be communicated more effectively that contributing is about more than money, and includes participation and volunteerism. Some members of the community have the impression that Federation CJA is just about money. While donations are important, so too is involvement. People who have time and talent, but not money, to spare should be given an equal welcome by service agencies.

He also thinks that younger people tend to define themselves outside the limitations of any single parameter. So, as much as Judaism is at his core, he is also quick to identify himself as a West Islander, Montrealer, Quebecer, Canadian, and citizen of the world.

“My Jewish values inform my decisions and shape my worldview,” he says, “but I am trying to reconcile all the parts of my identity. I’m interested in intercultural and interfaith dialogue and interaction that will enable me to work with other communities. Because I really feel like I’m part of a global community. I don’t feel that it’s a compromise of my Jewish identity to say that I am eager to connect with others on a human level.”

For instance, he would like to see events that connect Jewish traditions to larger global issues. For example, connecting Passover to a broader concern for slavery or Tu B’shvat with an environmental cause. Jewish values encourage us to make the world a better place and Solomon foresees great opportunities to achieve this through the institutions of the Jewish community.

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Federation CJA is a registered charitable organization pursuant to the Canadian Income Tax Act - Registration number: 106702251RR0001.
Federation CJA is a 501c(3) non-profit Community Organization - 98-018 3709.
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