Staff
Shmuli Nachlas
Executive Director
Rabbi Shmuli Nachlas established the Jewish Youth Network of Ontario in 2008. He directs the accredited JYN Academy high school and co-ordinates the city-wide Teens For the Community (TFC) Volunteer and Leadership Training program. As well, Rabbi Shmuli organizes yearly retreats and shabbatons to New York, Washington and Mt. Tremblant, regularly hosts Friday night Shabbat dinners for teens, teaches one-on-one pre-marriage classes to newly-engaged grooms, counsels privately to teens, and leads the popular “Over The Top” Travel camp along the U.S. West Coast during the summer summer months.
Ms. Judy Brown
Executive Assistant
Judy Brown has been working as the executive assistant to Rabbi Shmuli Nachlas for just under three years. She has over 25 years of experience in administrative and clerical management, fundraising logistics for non-profit events and dinners, and plays a vital role in developing and nurturing client relationships. Judy’s highly organized approach gives her a unique ability to focus on multiple projects at one time and carry them through to fruition. Her particular passion and expertise is directly related to fundraising and strategic planning, which has been a great asset to Jewish Youth Network. When not working at JYN, you can find Judy painting, exercising, and spending time with her daughter and little puppy, Remy.
Mrs. Chani Nachlas
Co-Director
Chani Nachlas is Director of JYN Hebrew School as part of JYN’s mission to engage and educate our youth. Besides raising a beautiful family of five children, Chani also works alongside Rabbi Shmuli, hosting Friday night Shabbat dinners and holiday programs for teens and alumni. She teaches one-on-one pre-marriage classes, and offers personal guidance and counselling. With the new JYN Centre looming on the horizon, Chani is actively involved in fundraising and development.
Mrs. Shayna Krybus
JYN Academy Principal
Shayna Krybus has been working as part of the Jewish Youth Network team for seven years, and has been Principal of JYN Academy for the past three. She has earned an H. BSc from the University of Toronto and an MA from McGill University. In her many years spent at post-secondary institutions she has learnt the importance of learning beyond the book and the classroom, and that new experiences enrich one’s life in some of the best ways possible. With this knowledge, she aims to infuse the students of JYN Academy with excitement for academia and it is her goal to make sure that every student is the best he or she can be. When not working at JYN you can find Shayna baking, reading prolifically, or playing in the mud with her boys.
Mrs. Leah Ostfeld
Office Administrator
What began for Leah as sporadic office assistance during JYN’s humble beginnings 8 years ago has now emerged into a full-time administrative position at JYN. Leah has earned a combined B.A. from York University in Political Science and Psychology, with special interest in Languages and the Arts. Acquired English skills have stood her in good stead for email correspondence, press releases, fundraising solicitations and basic admin qualifications. She passionately espouses JYN’s youth engagement mandate based on Chabad philosophy and enjoys the bustling JYN student environment. When she is not at the office, Leah is equally busy devoting her time as a hands-on, involved mother & grandmother—her primary love and occupation.
Rabbi Binyomin Warmflash
Youth Programs & C-Teen Director
Rabbi Binyomin Warmflash hails from Connecticut. He studied at Chabad Yeshivas in Pittsburgh, Toronto and New York. His free time was spent in youth outreach, engaging Jewish teenagers at local schools and events. In 2016, he received Rabbinical Ordination (Smicha) at Kollel Yeshivas Tiferes Menachem in Los Angeles. His summers were spent as a trip leader for teens to Poland, Israel and road tripping along the West Coast. As well, he ran a Pesach Seder for Israeli tourists in Peru. After his marriage to Fraida (nee Glassner), both Rabbi Binyomin and his wife participated in the March of the Living and joined the International Maccabi Games in Irvine, CA., as Teen Outreach Leaders. Working with Jewish youth and imbuing them with a warm, lasting connection to their heritage has always been a lifetime goal for Rabbi Binyomin, and he is thrilled to be back in Toronto in the capacity of Outreach Co-Director to carry out that dream.
Fraida Warmflash
Hebrew School Director
Fraida Warmflash (nee Glassner) grew up in Montreal and graduated from Beis Chaya Mushka Seminary with a teaching degree. During her high school years, she spent many summers counselling at camps all over America. In addition, Fraida has been on staff at overnight camps for teen girls as well as at Beis Chana Womens’ Retreats. Before her marriage to Rabbi Binyomin Warmflash, Fraida had spent time in Israel mentoring, teaching and creating programs for young Jewish women at Seminary Machon Alte in Tzfat. She later joined her husband as Teen Outreach Leader in Poland at March of the Living and the International Maccabi Games in Irvine, CA. Today, she and her husband are the proud parents of Chana (2) and Mendel (1). As Outreach Co-Director, Fraida brings much passion and creativity to her new role at JYN.
Advisory Committee
Shuly Eizicovics
Jordan Elias
Natalie Freiberg
Ken Kaufman
Jerry Klasner
Larry Merovitz
Karen Moness
Denise Robbins
Nachi Robbins
Vered Spector
Avi Yurman