“Two years ago we embarked on the roller coaster ride of starting our own business. We sought support from the community to get it off the ground an...

“Two years ago we embarked on the roller coaster ride of starting our own business. We sought support from the community to get it off the ground and they helped in so many ways – from surrounding us with strong mentors who guided us through the process and helped build our network, to providing funding for the business. We’ve been extremely fortunate to benefit from this support!

Montreal has given us so much and we want to give back to our beloved city, so it was important for us to start our business here. As we’ve grown, we’ve returned the favour by hiring employees directly from the community employment services and will continue to do so as our business grows.”

Since 2000, Federation CJA has enabled thousands of young, Jewish entrepreneurs to receive professional mentorship and helped build 55 businesses here in Montreal through ProMontreal Entrepreneurs.

“Throughout my childhood, I moved around quite a bit, and although I always had a place to live, I never really felt like I had a home. At 8 years o...

“Throughout my childhood, I moved around quite a bit, and although I always had a place to live, I never really felt like I had a home. At 8 years old, thanks to the generosity of the community, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime: a summer at a Jewish sleep away camp in the Laurentians. I boarded the bus with excitement about making new friends and participating in fun activities. Little did I know, I would eventually call this place my home.

At camp I developed new skills, created lifelong friendships and discovered my Jewish identity. Because of camp, I have been inspired to give back by working as an informal Jewish educator for over 15 years. Today, I am so proud to watch my own kids board the same bus, and benefit from a wonderful summer camp experience of their own.”

Last year, Federation CJA helped send 1,237 kids to Jewish summer camp thanks to your support.

“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.

“I grew up both geographically and spiritually distant from the Jewish community with a Jewish mother and a Catholic father. Four years ago, I decid...

“I grew up both geographically and spiritually distant from the Jewish community with a Jewish mother and a Catholic father. Four years ago, I decided to get involved, but I struggled to find ways to meet Jewish people my own age, to learn Hebrew and to find out more about Judaism.

A free trip to Israel allowed me to get in touch with my roots while building new friendships. The following summer, I spent six more weeks in Israel, immersed in Jewish culture. I was recently selected for a leadership training program that could lead to my becoming a Madricha, leading my own trip, and I look forward to impacting others in a positive way.

Getting involved with the Israel experience trips and the leadership training program have helped to deepen my connection to the Jewish community and I couldn't be more thankful. I owe all of my knowledge, friendships, and love for Israel to Federation CJA.”

With your support to Federation CJA, over 8,400 young adults from Montreal have been enriched by an Israel experience trip since 1999.