In partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Jewish Community Foundation, Federation CJA’s Israel Engagement Initiative helps enrich Isr...

In partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Jewish Community Foundation, Federation CJA’s Israel Engagement Initiative helps enrich Israel education in Montreal and deepen the person-to-person connection with our extended family in Israel. The Initiative provides Israel education to schools and synagogues; oversees the Shinshinim program, which places a select group of Israeli teenagers in our local community to complete their year of service; and brings hands-on educational activities to the greater Montreal Jewish community.

“We feel we are the ones who are benefitting from [our shinshin] Ziv’s presence in our home. Her experiences with our kids sharing her perspectives on Israel have helped our connection to Israel and by extension our Judaism, and solidified our connection to our community as well. We thank Federation CJA for allowing us this wonderful experience."

Over 1,000 youth in our community interact with our Shinshinim through an Israel-based activity every week.

“Over the past 20 years, I have become attached to educating eleven and twelve-year-old children, because I can share my own experience as a young c...

“Over the past 20 years, I have become attached to educating eleven and twelve-year-old children, because I can share my own experience as a young child Holocaust survivor. I meet children from many different schools all over Quebec and North America, and I can understand their perspectives and the questions they ask; they’re ones that I would have liked to ask as a child.

It’s very uplifting to know that I’m changing lives with this knowledge. Many of the children reflect and realize that such things happened to ordinary families like their own. It’s important to educate them as young as possible, so they learn the lessons of history, carry our stories with them, and consider the role they play in making the world a more tolerant place.”

Each year more than 16,000 people, 70% of whom are students, are sensitized to the dangers of intolerance through Holocaust education, thanks to your support.

“Every Tuesday, I volunteer at an after-school program with an amazing 11 year old girl. We do her homework and different activities together, socia...

“Every Tuesday, I volunteer at an after-school program with an amazing 11 year old girl. We do her homework and different activities together, socializing with the other children. We then eat dinner together and talk about our day, teaching her important interpersonal and communication skills.

Thanks to the community, we have the opportunity to give these children the educational support and the undivided attention that they may not receive at home. They look forward to coming, and they appreciate the balance and consistency we provide.

Those hours each week make a big difference in her life, and they make a difference in my life as well. Watching her develop the skills she needs to succeed academically and socially makes me very happy.”

Thanks to your support, Federation CJA’s funded programs helped 1,120 youth at risk to break the cycle of poverty through social services, academic support, mentorship and therapeutic counselling last year.

“My connection to the Gesher Chai program started in the 10th grade. On our trip to Montreal for Israel Memorial and Independence Day, we got to hea...

“My connection to the Gesher Chai program started in the 10th grade. On our trip to Montreal for Israel Memorial and Independence Day, we got to hear what our Canadian peers have to say about Israel, and to share our perspective with them. Then, we welcomed the delegation to Beer Sheva, which was exciting as we had become friends and kept in touch. Gesher Chai helped us to make connections with Canadian Jews that continued long after the visits ended. It helped all of us to see that we are not so different.

I want to see Gesher Chai continue to grow, so more Jewish students from all over the world can connect with each other. It is something that remains a part of you and can change everything: The way you look at life, the way you see yourself, the way you see Judaism."

Last year, over 5,000 students from 29 schools in Montreal and Israel participated in activities that help build relationships, sustain common bonds, and develop leadership skills to enhance Jewish vibrancy in our communities.