April 10, 2011

Connecting young Jewish Torontonians
to social service agencies in the city

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Join us for the Launch of “The Projects”. Give back to the community with your time. “The Projects" is a volunteer initiative that strives to provide volunteer opportunities for Jewish young professionals in Toronto, just like YOU. A Timeraiser allows you to shop for different volunteer opportunities. You can donate time instead of $ to make a change and help rebuild and reshape this city! The more hours you donate to a cause, the more chances you get for winning amazing prizes!

April 10, 2011

Six Degrees, 2335 Yonge St.
Doors open at 8 pm

Timeraiser: Volunteer & do something
Cocktails and desserts
Live entertainment
Performance by Little Black Dress
MC: Julian Brass of NotableTV

These 20 individuals are nominated for their committment to helping others

David Goodman

David Goodman has been volunteering for Jewish Family & Child as a volunteer big brother to a young boy since March 2010. David is extremely committed, responsible, sensitive, patient and very professional. David’s strong leadership skills and creativity enables him to volunteer with this boy, allowing David to mentor him and offer him full guidance and support. David is a phenomenal volunteer and is a true leader in this community!

Gilad Epstein, Jewish Vocational Service

Gilad Epstein joined the JVS Toronto Board of Directors in 2005 and has brought a wealth of expertise and passion. Gilad’s dedication to JVS goes beyond his committee work; he provides countless hours as a mentor.  Shortly after joining the Board he became one of CanadaInfoNet’s first mentors; and is currently matched with a mentee from Brazil. As a committed Jewish volunteer, Gilad believes in serving his own community and sharing his knowledge with the community at large demonstrating his passion for Tikkun Olam

Justin Lebofsky, JACS Toronto

Justin has been involved as a mentor and volunteer in our youth group services department. Justin has spoken to over 1000 young people about drug addiction and substance abuse for the last 7 years. Justin has been involves in fundraising, community wide programs, synagogue programs, secondary school speaking engagements and has served the community well through JACS as a mentor.

Shayna Nussbaum, JACS Toronto

Shayna has been an outstanding volunteer for JACS Toronto. She has gone into schools and spoken to high school ages students about her personal experiences. She has helped plan and execute the annual JACS Retreat which out reaches to members of the Toronto community and other communities across Canada and the US to participate in a Shabbat wellness and spiritual Shabbat. She has also assisted in our research department in coming up with new methods of research for JACS.

Evan Pilz, IMPACT TORONTO

Evan Pilz has been involved with Impact Toronto for the past few years. He has shown great enthusiasm and commitment in his role as chair of Impact Toronto’s Young Business division. He has also been an active member of the Impact Roundtable. Evan continues to encourage his peers to get involved in Jewish Toronto.

Evan Cooperman, IMPACT TORONTO

Evan  is a dedicated volunteer who has chaired Impact Toronto 2010 and 2011. He led a team of more than 50 young leaders, and provided mentorship and guidance to thousands of young Jews in the Toronto community. Evan sits on the Israel and Overseas Committee and has shown his commitment to UJA through various missions and programming. Evan chaired the UIA National Young Leadership conference in 2009 that brought out hundreds of young leaders from across Canada. Evan was on one of the first Birthright Israel trips and was instrumental in creating the first ever Birthright Alumni Committee member of the Impact Roundtable.

Oren Tamir, Kehilla Residental Programme

Oren discovered the Kehilla Residential Programme on the Internet and connected to our mission. He was instrumental in assisting with the drafting of a business plan for a proposed Reena affordable/supportive community residential facility on the Lebovic Campus in York Region. A highlight of his time with Kehilla was his organization of Kehilla’s Bagels to Bricks Symposium 2004 on current policy and development issues relating to affordable/supportive housing. He came onto Kehilla’s Board of Directors in 2008 and has contributed by helping us with a new fundraising initiative.

Shael Katz, Reena

Shael Katz has been a volunteer with the Outreach Department at Reena since February 2010. Shael volunteers in our After School Program for children and youth with a developmental disability. Soon to return for his 4th program session, Shael has certainly proven his dedication and willingness to commit his personal time to a great cause. Shael is an amazing volunteer - he is reliable, consistent and always arrives with a positive attitude and an eagerness to assist in any way possible. Shael has brought an enthusiasm to our program that is so welcome to both the program participants and the staff. Always happy to cooperate, Shael often volunteers to take on extra responsibilities without being askedShael has been an exemplary role model for other volunteers and for the young program participants and has always behaved in the utmost professional manner.

Renee Goldenberg, JIAS Toronto

In Renee’s own words, she states that “over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to work with diverse groups of people looking for employment in a job market that has become increasingly competitive. Through my volunteer work at JIAS Toronto, I have been able to assist clients and share my knowledge, and understanding of the Canadian work culture.  By helping our newest community members, I am able to be a small part of their journey to become part of our community. The opportunity to work with JIAS Toronto staff and clients has reinforced my passion and commitment to assisting those in our community find employment. From my own job searches, I have experienced some of the challenges newcomers face, and have taken this opportunity to pay it forward.”

Renee Rosenzweig, Zareinu

Renee Rosenzweig is a volunteer like no other.  Renee is a bright, outgoing, and generous volunteer who is extremely dedicated to any project she takes on.  For staff, Renee’s positive attitude and vivacious personality make her a pleasure to work with.  Her nurturing nature and sincerity is felt through her smile, voice and kindness.  Renee is a mensch. As co-chair of the Zareinu Fashion Show for the last 7 years, Renee has dedicated her time and resources.  Renee witnessed the miraculous milestones and changes experienced by a Zareinu child through the therapies and education she received at Zareinu.  Renee’s allegiance to Zareinu extends to her dinner table discussions and often to her time with extended family. 

Jordan Lubek, The Annex Shul

Jordan has brought something special to the Annex Shul. Jordan has coordinated over 10 social justice/ Tikkun Olam initiatives for young jewish professionals. Rather than planning his own programs or starting his own organization, he has been reaching out to various organizations that are in need of volunteers, and worked with them to find the right volunteer opportunities for the Annex Shul community. It would be reasonable to say that thanks to Jordan, more than 100 people have volunteered within the Annex and Jewish communities over the past year. Yasher Koach- may you continue to build strong bridges based on the value of Tikkun Olam- repairing our world.

Elana Metter, The Annex Shul

Elana Metter has been a very active volunteer with the Annex Shul. Elana is a bubbly person who is all about creating community through friendship and a warm smile. Elana is creative and a hard worker and prides herself on being attentive to the needs of each individual. Elana is extremely well connected and is never shy to use her resources in bettering the Jewish community and in particular the Annex Shul

Jessica Taylor, B.A.C.

Jessica has been volunteering for several years with the Birthright Israel Alumni Community. Jessica’s relentless dedication is amazing. Even since she has returned from her Birthright Israel trip in 2007, she has been getting involved in community volunteerism on every level. She has chaired Back2Fashion, has been involved in the March of the Living, and is currently a birthright Israel mentor. No is not a part of her vocabulary when it comes to community involvement.

Grant Valentine, JUMP

Grant is a wonderful volunteer with JUMP. He is a reliable and generous individual. He always go above and beyond to help out JUMP whenever possible. Living over an hour outside of Toronto, he always drives into Toronto to volunteer with JUMP whenever he can. He is more than the average volunteer. He will help out all the staff people and ensure to be a helping hand whenever possible.

Yoelit Lipinsky, Mt. Sinai Hospital

Yoelit Lipinsky has been a volunteer at Mount Sinai Hospital since May 2009, contributing 400 hours of service. Yoelit’s motto as our summer student was ‘Healing with Heart’, ensuring that our 300 summer students understood the connection between healing and the human connection they could provide. She developed our first Volunteer newsletter ‘VolunCheer!’She organized an amazing volunteer barbecue . She assisted our Psychiatrist in organizing a Simulation Day conference, coordinating all of the volunteer activity and assisting with logistics. She currently assists our Children’s Grief program. Yoelit surely stands out as a leader among the approximately 500 students we see each year, and we are pleased to recognize her for her many accomplishments.

Meagan Solomon, Big Sister, Jewish Family & Child Services

Meagan Solomon has been volunteering for Jewish Family & Child as a volunteer big sister to a young girl since September 2008. Meagan graduated form McGill University in 2008 and also a volunteer big sister in Montreal and absolutely loved it! Meagan is an extremely mature and responsible and individual. . Meagan is very committed to her volunteer role within the agency. Meagan spends her visits and outings with her “little”, being there as a friend, a role model and a mentor to her. These years for a child are very important years, in terms of their development, mentally and socially.

Anna Yalkut, Reena

Anna Yalkut joined our volunteer team at Reena in August 2010 and has been going strong ever since. Anna is a “Pal-Unteer”, working one-on-one with Kathy, a young woman with a developmental disability who lives in a Reena group home. Every Monday evening, after a long and demanding day at work, Anna faithfully visits the group home, bringing warmth, happiness and a big smile along with her. Anna and Kathy spend quality time together, sometimes going for long walks, other times just schmoozing at home. Anna is a bright, dynamic, warm and caring individual who has become a special friend not only to Kathy, but to all of us at Reena who have come to know her.

Daniel Steinhart, VeAhavta

Dan has great energy and enthusiasm and a willingness to get his hands dirty or do whatever it takes to help out. He has done everything from building furniture, unloading truckloads containing hundreds of boxes for our “Kinder Kits” and packing skids to go to Haiti to serving food and handing out clothes and blankets to the homeless throughout the GTA. He always maintains an upbeat, positive demeanor when he is volunteering and expresses how glad he is to be a part of our team helping out with whatever he can. Dan has an incredibly refreshing attitude towards volunteer work and we love having him around. He is a highly valued and appreciated member of the Ve’ahavta family!

David Warshafsky and Eric Kaplovich, Serve 4 Success JIAS Toronto

Each summer, they run a free summer tennis program for about 35 newcomer youth. David and Eric take care of everything . This includes recruiting other volunteers, obtaining corporate sponsorships to cover all the needed equipment and costs of the program, and providing several hours of free weekly tennis instruction during the summer months. When the kids show up for their first lesson, they are given a tennis racquet to use. What they don’t realize until the last week of tennis, is that David and Eric have obtained these racquets as donations, for them to keep. For newly arrived immigrants who face numerous expenses relating to their immediate settlement needs, the additional funds for extra-curricular programs for their children are not available.

Terry Borer, Free Loan Cassa

In 2007, Terry joined Toronto Jewish Free Loan Cassa and immediately fell in love with the organization. He began volunteering on the Loan Committee, and quickly took leadership roles in creating the new website, surveying previous clients, revamping application forms, working on a Strategic Plan, generating statistical information, writing grant applications and learning the office software. He is now the Vice President, Funders’ Liaison and on the Board of Directors. Terry's dedication and enthusiasm bring him to the TJFLC offices for many days during time off from his regular day job.

Ben Barth, Free Loan Cassa

Since his first contact with Toronto Jewish Free Loan Cassa in April 2010, Ben Barth has performed double duty for our organization. Through his direct service as a hands-on volunteer, Ben Barth personally interviews loan applicants in need. Through his committee participation, he brings a fresh perspective to our Strategic Planning and marketing initiatives. His unique blend of enthusiasm, creativity and heartfelt compassion make Ben Barth our choice for Toronto’s Jewish Top 20 Under 40 Volunteers.

  • Thank A Thon: UJA

  • Baycrest Centre: Music Therapy Volunteers

  • Jewish Family & Child: Big Brother / Big Sister

  • Jewish Immigration and Aid Services: Jias, Family to Family

  • Jewish Immigration and Aid Services: Homework Club

  • THE JUST-A-SECOND SHOP MERCHANDISE ASSISTANT

  • JUMPSTART

  • JUMPSTART MENTOR: JIAS

  • JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICES, JVS: ON LINE MENTORING

  • MOVEATHON: FESTIVAL DAY FOR ZAREINU, THE SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

  • ZAREINU: GOLF BAG ASSEMBLY NIGHT: ZAREINU EVENT PREP

  • ZAREINU: OFFICE ADMINISTRATION VOLUNTEER

  • ZAREINU: Tzedekah Box Representative

  • Betel Center: Betel Banquet

  • Betel Center: Friendly Visitor

  • REENA: OFFICE STORE ROOM

  • REENA: PAL-UNTEERS,ADMINISTRATIVE VOLUNTEERS, BOWLING VOLUNTEERS

  • CJPAC

  • Mount Sinai Hospital

  • Shalom Baby Ambassador

Thank A Thon

Time Commitment: 3 hours

Join together with young professionals for the first ever UJA thank a thon. -This is a social event, telethon where you do not ask for a gift or a donation. Make a 30 second phone call to existing UJA donors just to say THANK YOU to those in our community that are living generously. Contact: Fern Brody, fbrody@ujafed.org 416 398 6931 ext 5820.

Baycrest Center: Music Therapy Volunteers

Time Commitment: Ongoing flexible monthly or weekly commitment to volunteer with music therapy staff.

-data collection for a study on music appreciation and singing with seniors
-monthly drumming circles assisting seniors to participate and helping to sustain the drumming rhythm
-community sing-alongs
-if have an ability to play an instrument, volunteering to play for individuals or small groups of seniors

Contact: Bianca Stern, bstern@baycrest.org 416-785-2500 Ext. 2695

JEWISH FAMILY & CHILD: BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER

Time Commitment: 12 month minimum
To be a friend, role model for a Jewish child or youth by providing support, companionship and friendship.
-Ability to commit oneself to a long-term volunteer assignment, good social and interpersonal skills, enjoys company of children and youth, patience, understanding and emotional maturity
-To assist a child to participate in a variety of constructive leisure activities in the community To provide support and companionship

Contact: Andrea Pines, Coordinator of Volunteer Services (416) 638-7800 x 6266; apines@jfandcs.com

JEWISH IMMIGRATION AND AID SERVICES TORONTO: JIAS, FAMILY TO FAMILY

TIME Commitment: 2-4 hours per month

-This project aims to match newcomers with local Jewish people in Toronto to begin “building a community”. -looking for people like YOU, people who have the capacity to reach out and care for others -act as “guides” to help newcomers navigate the culture and uniqueness of their new community. -consider sharing a Shabbat or holiday meal, passing on the name of your hairdresser, showing off the city of Toronto, practicing English with them over the phone, celebrating a family simcha together , etc. Contact: Aviva Milstone, avivam@jiastoronto.org 416-630-6481 x5425

Jewish Immigration and Aid Services Toronto: Homework Club

TIME Commitment: 2 hours per week

-tutors to help staff our homework club for elementary – high school students to help them with English and other academic subjects. -The homework club meets weekly for 2 hours. Tutors help provide support in English language development and strategies and skills for homework assignments, in order to help each student successfully adapt to his/her new school -volunteer to let kids lead the way to long term success and sustained integration throughout their academic career - Asset if the tutor also speaks Russian, Hebrew, or French. Contact: Joanna Sasson Morrison, joannasm@jiastoronto.org 416-630-6481 x5440

THE JUST-A-SECOND SHOP MERCHANDISE ASSISTANT

Time Commitment: minimum of 3 hours/week for a minimum of 3 months


-To ready merchandise for sale as directed by store manager. Store is located at 4117 Bathurst St. (at York Downs Ave.)

-To receive and unpack donations from bags and hang up as instructed, monitor change room activity as needed

- Ability to work with limited supervision, to lift 8 kg., to work well with others - staff, volunteers, customers/clients
Contact: Andrea Pines, Coordinator of Volunteer Services (416) 638-7800 x 6266; apines@jfandcs.com

JUMPSTART

-Connect to a newcomer who works in your field

- meet together, help the newcomer make some first steps to informally networking in their field

-provide information about your profession to a newcomer seeking to enter the Canadian labour market.

Contact: Lisa Nerman lisan@jiastoronto.org, 416-630-6481 x5424   

JUMPSTART MENTOR: JIAS

-Help connect newcomers to the Canadian labour market by offering a mentoring

-volunteers to be matched with newcomers based on professional likeness in order to help the newcomer recreate professional networks

- Introduce newcomers to the network of professionals YOU are connected with

-Help them learn about professional standards in Canada

- Share with them how to begin a job search in their field in Canada

- Where applicable, help newcomers accreditation, exams and interview preparation help find/offer, is often internships

Contact: Lisa Nerman lisan@jiastoronto.org, 416-630-6481 x5424

JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICES, JVS: ON LINE MENTORING

TIME Commitment: 1 hour per week for 3 to 4 months



-seeking professionals from all fields to become on line volunteers mentors to newcomers to Canada. 

- All communication between mentors (Volunteers) and mentees (clients) is done through our website.

- Offer insights into Canadian workplace culture and industry trends, information about professional licensing, credential and educational requirements, Job search strategies and support

Contact: Lisa Rae, lrae@jvstoronto.org, 416-787-1151 ext 259

MOVEATHON: FESTIVAL DAY FOR ZAREINU, THE SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Time Commitment: One shift, 4 hours on the day on June 12th at Downsview Park


14th annual Zareinu Moveathon Festival in support of children with special needs in our Jewish community.

Rides, food, games and volunteers are needed to help run booths and stations

Contact: Sonya Budd, sonya@zareinu.org, 416.661.1800 x228

Visit www.moveathon.com for volunteer sign-up.

GOLF BAG ASSEMBLY NIGHT: ZAREINU EVENT PREP

Time Commitment: Week of May 23- 27


-One time during an evening or day
-Volunteers will help assembly gift bags for the Zareinu fundraising golf tournament

Contact: Penny Kravetsky, penny@zareinu.org 416.661.1800 x223

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION VOLUNTEER: ZAREINU

Time Commitment: 4 hours per week


-Join an energetic office team a few hours a week with administrative tasks: filing, mailings, errands, tzedekah box pick ups.

Contact: Marlene Brickman, marlene@zareinu.org 416.661.1800 x224

Tzedekah Box Representative: ZAREINU

Time Commitment: 1-3 Hours per week


Volunteer in the Thornhill Area by pick up filled tzedekah boxes

Contact: Marlene Brickman, marlene@zareinu.org 416.661.1800 x224

Betel Center: Betel Banquet

Time Commitment: March 15 until June 15 – about 1-2 hours per week initially until beginning of June when hours may increase slightly


Creating a dynamic and entertaining slide show for our Banquet on Wednesday June 15.  Ideally, the volunteer would be available to assist with the presentation at approximately 6:30 pm.

Contact: Karen Sacke, karens@betelcentre.org 416-225-2112 ext. 127

Betel Center: Friendly Visitor

TIME Commitment: 1-2 hours per week. Choose the day that best suits you.


Friendly Visiting/At Home Respite - Friendly visiting creates lasting, meaningful relationships between seniors and volunteers. With regular friendly visits in person or over the phone, an isolated senior's experience improves physical, mental and emotional health.   Mileage is reimbursed.  Russian and English speakers would be helpful

Contact: Karen Sacke, karens@betelcentre.org 416-225-2112 ext. 127

REENA: OFFICE STORE ROOM

Time Commitment : 7-14 hours, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.


Volunteer needed to assist in clean up and re-organization of an office storeroom

REENA: PAL-UNTEERS,ADMINISTRATIVE VOLUNTEERS, BOWLING VOLUNTEERS

TIME Commitment: See below each opportunity
PAL-Unteers - male volunteers needed to spend one-on-one quality time with an adult male with a developmental disability in a social/recreational context
Time Commitment:  2-3 hours per week, 6 month commitment
Administrative Volunteers - volunteers needed with office and computer skills to assist in Reena's busy administration offices on weekdays during business hours
 Time Commitment:  1/2 day or more per week, 6 month commitment (may be flexible)
 Bowling Volunteer - a dynamic young adult needed to assist in Reena's adult bowling program 
Time Commitment: Wednesday evenings from 6 - 8:30 p.m., 6 month commitment

Contact:  Mille Chadwick, 905-889-2690, ext. 2112 mchadwick@reena.org

CJPAC

Campaign Volunteers!
CJPAC is looking for volunteers to help represent our community and make a difference on election campaigns. CJPAC will help volunteers by providing training, support, and help being placed on the campaign of their choice. Volunteers can choose to work for a variety of campaigns across the political spectrum and at any level of government (federal, provincial, or municipal). Regardless of where they choose to work, CJPAC volunteers will be helping to ensure our community's voice is heard.

Time commitment can range from 1 hour-100 hours!

Contact: Michael Friedman. 416 929 9552 X 226 mfriedman@cjpac.ca

Mount Sinai Hospital


Mount Sinai Hospital is looking for volunteers who are committed to putting our patients first! Opportunities may be available working with our geriatric or other in-patients, or in clinics (clinics are available daytime only). Volunteers need a regular time commitment of 6 months minimum.

Contact: Joanne Fine-Schwebel Phone: (416) 586-4800 ext. 8690 e-mail: jfine-schwebel@mtsinai.on.ca

Shalom Baby Ambassador

Commitment:  5 hours/month

Number of Volunteers needed: 10

Shalom Baby delivers package to families with new babies, full of baby-friendly swag and information about how families can connect to our community.  We need volunteers to deliver these baskets to families who are waiting for this wonderful gift.
- Volunteers will deliver the gift packages in specific areas:  Downtown Toronto, Central Toronto and Thornhill/Richmond Hill

- Deliveries usually done on Sundays, but timing is negotiable

- Requires access to a car

Contact:  Barbara Barak, 416-631-5843, bbarak@ujafed.org