Jewish Federations of Canada – UIA and the Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies (AJFCA) are currently co-hosting a multi-day inaugural gathering of Jewish community professionals from across Canada at a national conference in Toronto. The conference, titled “Jewish Communal Service in the 21st century: Challenges & Opportunities in Canada”, is bringing together over 100 professionals from diverse sectors, organizations and communities.

Issues and topics of discussion include: Poverty in the Jewish Community; Effective Advocacy Strategies; and Experiential Jewish Education. Guest presenters include Barry Chazan (Pine River Institute), Arna Poupko Fisher (University of Cincinnati), Shuki Taylor (YU), Gil Troy (McGill), Gary Rabbior (Canadian Foundation for Economic Education) and Laurel Rothman  (Family Service Toronto).

“This event can only increase our understanding of each other’s perspective and strengthen partnerships by breaking down traditional silos and starting new, meaningful conversations” said Dalia Margalit-Faircloth, Director of AJFCA Canada. “As professionals in Jewish communal service, whether working in family services, education, or community planning and capacity building, at the end of the day we all share a common agenda – to find methods and develop practices that most effectively serve our communities and the people living within them.”

To eJP‘s knowledge, this is the first time any federation has convened a professional development program – including with professionals from other communities and those who are not their own federation agencies/grantees – for professional development and open dialogue. Kol HaKavod – may others learn from their work!