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The Joshua Institute

Leadership Reimagined  //

The Joshua Institute leadership accelerator (JI) is an advanced leadership and skill development experience for Toronto’s Jewish leaders.

The 18-month program is grounded in leading theory and practice and is designed to cultivate the next generation of Jewish community leaders. JI participants are ages 25-45, are passionate about the Jewish community, and want to make a difference in Toronto. They are committed to exploring UJA’s role in the community, UJA’s organizational priorities, and the impact philanthropy has in our city and throughout the Jewish world.

JI is powered by UJA Genesis, a new engagement platform for people looking to connect to the community in a meaningful way.

If you are interested in joining a future cohort of JI leaders, please contact Jodi Katzeff, Director of Engagement, UJA Genesis at: jkatzeff@ujafed.org

“When you listen to a witness, you become a witness.” - Elie Wiesel

March of the Living 2021

In lieu of the traditional March of the Living program this year, March of the Living Toronto and UJA Genesis have partnered to offer grade 11 and 12 high school students the opportunity to participate in a local March of the Living program.

Designed for young leaders who want to contribute to a brighter tomorrow, this program will be centred around Holocaust education and volunteerism.

Participants will receive at least 20 community service hours for their full participation.

The program is an opportunity to meet Holocaust survivors in our community, hear their testimonies, and ultimately become witnesses to the atrocities of the Holocaust with the responsibility to continue educating others.

Additional program highlights include engaging with Israeli teenagers, taking part in community-wide events, and volunteering in a meaningful way.

At a time when the world is experiencing much unrest, this program has been designed to provide meaning and inspiration.

  • PROGRAM GOALS

    • // Inspire participants to fight indifference, racism, and injustice.
    • // Remember those who perished and pay tribute to the courageous survivors—to be the bearers of their memories; the witnesses for the witnesses.
    • // Embrace Tikkun Olam in order to remind participants of the Jewish peoples’ responsibility to be a light unto the nations by providing help and assistance to those most in need.
    • // Foster/strengthen the Jewish identity of the next generation.

  • PROGRAM COMMITMENT

    Eight weeks: Monday, February 22 – Friday, April 16, 2021

    • // 1 one-hour Zoom session each week with the group (mostly Mondays at 5:00 PM, with some exceptions)
    • // 2 multimodal reflections
    • // 2 five-minute surveys
    • // 3 ongoing volunteerism opportunities

  • PROGRAM SCHEDULE

    • // Monday, February 22 (5:00–6:30 PM)
    • // Monday, March 1 (5:00–6:00 PM)
    • // Monday, March 8 (5:00–6:00 PM)
    • // Monday, March 15 (5:00-6:30 PM)
    • // Monday, March 22 (5:00–6:00 PM)
    • // Tuesday, March 30 (5:00–6:00 PM)
    • // Thursday, April 8 (TBD) > We will tune into a community-wide Yom Ha’Shoah ceremony Sunday, April 11 (11:00 AM–12:30 PM)
    • // Monday, April 12 (5:00–6:00 PM)
    • // Tuesday, April 13–Thursday, April 15 (TBD) > We will tune into Yom Ha’Zikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut community ceremonies Thursday, April 15 (5:00–5:30 PM)

    *Schedule is subject to change

  • VOLUNTEER COMPONENTS

    • // Wellness check-in calls to senior members of the community
    • // Fundraising for Holocaust survivors in need
    • // A creative project related to carrying testimony forward

    *You will receive detailed instructions on all volunteer components of the program

    *Participants are eligible for more hours depending on their involvement in the volunteer opportunities

  • UPON COMPLETING THE PROGRAM, PARTICIPANTS WILL GRADUATE WITH THE FOLLOWING:

    • // 20 community service hours*
    • // Letter of reference from UJA upon request
    • // A deeper understanding of the experience of Holocaust survivors
    • // A strong network of peers who represent the next generation of Jewish Toronto leadership and are passionate about making a difference in the community
    • // A sense of pride in your ability to carry forward testimony and ensure the Holocaust is never forgotten

    *Participants are eligible for more hours depending on their involvement in the volunteer opportunities

    Participants in the MOL 2021 Local Experience must currently be in grade 11 or 12, have availability to commit to the program, interest in Holocaust education, and willingness to volunteer for the community.

For more information, email Esther at eoziel@ujafed.org


We are now accepting applications until February 12, 2021.