Tani Segal-Pillemer | Director
Shalom everyone! My name is Tani Segal-Pillemer, and I am the Biluim Israel Director! I am looking forward to getting to know our Chanichim, Madrichim, and families and to an incredible summer together in Israel.
My connection to CYJ began in 2017, when I joined Biluim Israel as a camper. That summer had a lasting impact on me and inspired me to continue my involvement with CYJ. I later returned to Kadimah as a lifeguard and Goshrim staff member. Biluim Israel and Kadimah are where I made some of my closest friendships and developed a deeper connection to my Jewish identity, Israel, and my Zionistic roots.
Over the past five years, I have had the opportunity to work with Biluim Israel in a variety of roles. First as a staff member, then as Associate Director, and currently continuing in my role as Director. Outside of Biluim Israel, I currently work as a teacher with the York Region District School Board. I am also continuing my education at the graduate level, studying Israel Education at The George Washington University.
My experiences in both formal and informal education have significantly shaped my approach to working with youth and strengthened my commitment to creating environments where every camper is seen, heard, supported, and valued. I believe that fostering a strong sense of belonging is fundamental to creating a safe, inclusive, and meaningful experience for every camper.
Biluim Israel is an opportunity for campers to grow, challenge themselves, build meaningful relationships, develop leadership skills, and strengthen their connection to Israel and their Jewish identity, all while having an incredible summer and creating memories that will stay with them for years to come.
Biluim Israel has had a meaningful impact on my own life, and it is an honour to now have the opportunity to create this experience for campers. I am excited for the summer ahead and to lead this incredible group of Chanichim and Madrichim!
Contact Tani: tani@youngjudaea.ca
Ellie Gamliel | Educator
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.