Ellie Gamliel | Director
I have grown up in the CYJ family since birth, going on Mifgash as a small kid and spending my summers from the age of six at Camp Solelim has taught me to be independent and how to roll with the big kids, but it was when I was shipped off to Camp Shalom in 2006 where my independent nature helped me succeed. I was a camper at Shalom for 5 years, then off to Solelim and Biluim of 2013. My camper years were concluded in the trip of a lifetime on Biluim Israel. Biluim Israel gave me a new understanding of what it meant to be a Zionist and why it is special to belong to a Zionist Youth Movement. I spent two summers being the Head of Social Media and Photography at Camp Solelim as a Madricha. Since then I have concluded my studies at Ryerson’s School of Professional Communications and I have taken on the role of CYJ National Marketing and Communications Director and Associate Director of Machane Lev, ensuring that everything we do gets seen and heard about, because it is so special. believe firmly in all that CYJ has to offer and I cannot wait for many more amazing years together!
I am so excited to get to Israel and lead this incredible group of Chanichim and Madrichim!
contact ellie: ellie@youngjudaea.ca
Risa Epstein| Lead poland Educator
Risa Epstein is the National Executive Director of Canadian Young Judaea. As an alumni of many CYJ camps, and the past Biluim Canada Program Director, and Camp Solelim Director from 2003 to 2015. Risa earned her Graduate Diploma in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from the University of Toronto’s OISE. As well, as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, Risa has an invested interest in the continuation of Holocaust education and ensuring that the memory of those who were lost during the Holocaust and the stories of those who survived are preserved.
contact risa: risa@youngjudaea.ca
AGNES EPSTEIN | BILUIM ISRAEL ADMINISTRATOR
I have been working with Canadian Young Judaea for almost 15 years as the Biluim Israel Administrator. I sent my two daughters on their way to Camp Shalom, and there began the continuation of Canadian Young Judaea in our family. My daughter Lailah worked at Camp Shalom for two years, and my youngest daughter Rachel has worked at Camp Kadimah for the past 2 summers. It is truly a pleasure to work on such an amazing trips as our trips to Poland and Israel.