UJA Federation Campaign 2008 reaches out to next generation

By Jo Michaels--This past May, an excited group of young adults boarded a plane for Israel. They may not have all known each other well before leaving Toronto, but they did share two things in common - they were all Jewish and they were all traveling for free on the Canada-Israel Experience (CIE) Taglit-birthright israel program.

One of those youngsters settling into an Air Canada seat in preparation for the sojourn to Israel was Dave Stein who, as it turned out, was no ordinary participant. In fact, when he boarded AC’s flight 084 to Tel Aviv with CIE, Stein became the 10,000th Torontonian whom birthright israel has sent to the Jewish homeland.

At last month’s community launch of UJA Federation’s Campaign 2008: The Campaign for Our Jewish Future, chaired by Lesley Binstock Offman and Morris Perlis, Stein (pictured above, left) was asked to speak about the importance of one of the campaign’s pillars – inspiring Jewish identity among our next generation. “Thousands my age have launched their Jewish journey through birthright israel, and are now searching for their next avenue to continue the trip,” said Stein. “I am thrilled that one aspect of the campaign is about inspiring Jewish identity among my generation. Take it from me, I know first-hand how important and effective inspiring young Jewish people can be.”

Through Campaign 2008, UJA Federation will be creating four new cutting-edge programs all designed to inspire our next generation of Jewish leaders. They are:

• Project 25/35: a new agency to address the needs and wants of young singles, young couples, young families and birthright israel alumni.
• CampRight: a new initiative which will enable all Jewish youngsters to attend a Jewish summer overnight camp.
• The Centre for Enhancement of Jewish Education: This new Federation pillar will expand the horizons and funding of Jewish education in Toronto.
• The Institute for New Jewish Leadership: A new program centre that will recruit and nurture the leaders of the next generation.

“Too many young Jewish people are detached from our community and that is a major concern,” said UJA Federation campaign director, Jeff Springer. “They are our future leaders and it is imperative that we reach out and connect with them.”

In addition to inspiring Jewish identity among our next generation, Campaign 2008: The Campaign for Our Jewish Future will tackle three other pressing issues facing the Jewish community today. They are:• Standing with Israel at a time of great need• Transforming lives within our underprivileged populations• Engaging a growing and dynamic community here in Toronto.

To learn more about, or donate to UJA Federation’s Campaign for Our Jewish Future, please visit www.jewishtoronto.com