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Sending a child or teen to camp can often be cost-prohibitive. Thanks to the support of UJA Federation and generous community donors, JF&CS is able to send approximately 200 children and youth to Jewish day and overnight camps each summer.
Now it’s even easier for eligible children to go to camp! We recently launched a new online portal where families can apply for JF&CS assistance within minutes. Based on eligibility, we can cover up to 85% of base camp fees for up to four consecutive weeks at any of our partnered camps.
We invite parents to visit the portal and explore the list of partnered camps. To complete a JF&CS Jewish Camp Subsidy Application, please click here. If you would like to support this initiative and help more children experience camp, please click here to donate.
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It is never too late to connect with your Jewish heritage and traditions, and Susan Lieberman, in her seventies, is a perfect example of this inspiring journey. “I’ve been studying with the Holy Blossom Temple Beit Midrash for about a year and a half,” Susan shares. “In the fall of 2023, the Rabbi told us that our study would qualify us for a Bat Mitzvah’."
Susan and her family had always maintained a strong connection to and active involvement with the Jewish community. “Our children went to Day Schools and had Bat and Bar Mitzvahs, but back in my youth, I did not know any girls who had Bat Mitzvahs. Until my retirement, religious learning just wasn’t something that I was engaged in,” explains Susan.
With this new opportunity, Susan decided to jump in. "I have a love of learning and have been studying Jewish subjects since the early COVID days. My children and husband, Mannie, convinced me that having a Bat Mitzvah was a logical progression for me and my journey, so I decided to do it. I will be turning 77 shortly after my Bat Mitzvah.”
Determined to mark this milestone in a meaningful way, Susan began thinking about how she could incorporate tzedakah and mitzvot into her ceremony, in a way that reflects her life. "Books are a form of comfort and delight; my whole family loves to hold, read and look through books. I taught math, computers, law, business, and accounting at various levels. Teaching is my true vocation. After becoming a chartered accountant, then a lawyer, I went back to teaching and enjoyed what became my favourite job: teaching at Humber College. When it came time for my Bat Mitzvah, my son said, ‘Mom, what about books?’ so I called JF&CS to find out if I could donate children’s books and found out that just two weeks earlier, a list of books had been requested to provide to foster children and youth. I was just so excited that it came together, and I feel really grateful that I could help.”
Susan’s tzedakah project is one of many that make a lasting impact on JF&CS clients. Her donated books have reached children and youth in care, while other donors have given camp supplies, grief kits, and more. We are incredibly grateful for generous donors like Susan, whose kindness supports the most vulnerable in our community.
If you want to learn more about the various ways you can give back like Susan, click here.
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At JF&CS, we always enjoy celebrating holidays. This Purim was especially meaningful as we joined DANI Toronto to also recognize Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM). Together, we hosted a festive Hamantaschen Bake at our Lipa Green Centre office, creating a fun and inclusive event that brought everyone together.
DANI staff and self-advocates led the baking session, guiding us through the process of making delicious Purim treats. Participants received pre-prepared dough and a variety of tasty fillings, creating an assortment of hamantaschen to enjoy.
In addition to baking, we had the opportunity to learn about DANI’s unique social enterprises and the many ways DANI participants gain valuable work experience while connecting with the Jewish community. These enterprises create a positive social impact with all profits supporting DANI’s various programs.
Of course, no Purim celebration would be complete without a costume contest! Congratulations to our winner, Andrea Pines, who wowed us with her creative take on Glinda’s Jewish Aunt, Queen Esther.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us—we hope you had a joyous and meaningful Purim.
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At JF&CS, we are proudly committed to improving how we serve our clients and community. To help us innovate and adapt based on your feedback, we are conducting a series of surveys and invite you to take a few moments to participate.
All surveys are voluntary and anonymous, and your responses will help us identify what is working well and where we can improve.
To participate, please click here for the client survey and click here for the community member survey. We thank you for helping us continue to build a resilient community where hope, dignity, diversity and humanity thrive.
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