Testimonials

searching for a program that I could be involved in to further my Jewish identity, I found JYN. JYN was an opportunity for me to be a part of a class and continue my Jewish education. It has not only taught me about the Jewish holidays but has undoubtedly strengthened my connection to G-d. JYN is a place where I feel comfortable to ask diverse questions. Not only do we learn about the Jewish culture, we learn how to be good caring Jews. I have met new people from being a part JYNand they have helped shape me into the kind, caring Jew that I have become. JYN is not only about life in the classroom. There are so many other opportunities available to get involved with the Thornhill Jewish community. One of the extracurricular programs that I am involved in is the JYN Ambassador Committee. I took on this role because I believed it was a chance to gain advantageous skills I can use in my life. One crucial skill that I have obtained from JYN is leadership. Being a leader is important to me, because it helps me be independent and contributes to making wise decisions as I believe in standing by my own actions. This also allows me to inspire other individuals in their Jewish enrichment as I want to take the knowledge that I have learned from JYN and pass it on to younger generations so they can obtain crucial Judaic knowledge skills and put it towards their future as young Jews. I continue to look forward to building my leadership skills and advancing my Jewish perspective, and the only way I believe I can do so is by continuing to attend JYN as well as influencing more of my peers to join. JYN has shaped me and it can shape you too.

are his abilities to relate his teachings to the Jewish religion. A few of the stories that still resonate with me, were about how “Famous” Jewish people keep their religion no matter what the backlash may be. For example, Sandy Koufax doing Tefillin on the Baseball Diamond or Ex Blue Jay Kevin Pillar wearing a Jewish star on his jersey to represent his religion openly. Also, Hank Greenberg (known as “The Hebrew Hammer”), who joined the MLB when he was nineteen and would always find ways to show how religion does not matter in the game of Baseball. In addition to all of the interesting stories and lessons, I really enjoy all the extra curricular activities. For example, meeting the Toronto Raptor Guard, Fred Vanvleet as part of a fundraiser (whose focus was geared to help kids in need of financial Support to participate in JYN and other Jewish programs). Another incredible experience was traveling to New York City with a great group of JYN students. We got to see such a strong Jewish community and specifically, we got to see where the Rebbe currently lays and learned about his “Purpose”. Celebrating Shabbat there was also something I will never forget. Another JYN experience that resonates with me, was having Shabbat Dinner at Rabbi’s Shmuli’s house. The food was amazing, but the lessons learned were very powerful! Specifically, I am learning how to be humble, to be thankful for everything I have and not to take anything for granted. As a newly appointed Ambassador for JYN, I feel that I will get an even better understanding of what this program is all about. Our job as Ambassadors, is to help guide decisions to better the overall experience for future children, teens and adults. We have recently worked with architects and designers to help design the new building inside and out. I know that JYN has a bright future ahead, as their leaders of today are incredibly bright and their work ethic is strong. Welcoming new students into their Network without Bias will collectively allow them to grow stronger and flourish in the years to come. In my opinion, JYN is the greatest forum to guide any child that wants not only to be a stronger contributing Jew, but an all around good person.

as well as enjoyable yet educational afternoons once a week. One of the best things about JYN is the warm and welcoming atmosphere you feel every time you walk through the doors. Fortunately, I have had the pleasure of contributing to the JYN family in events other than attending the classes once a week. My favourite JYN event was the fundraiser where they brought Fred Vanvleet of the Toronto Raptors to sign and take pictures. Even though it was cool to see Fred, it was even cooler to see an organization like JYN bring the whole community together in one place. Attending JYN, and learning from Rabbi Shmuli has allowed me to not only gain more knowledge about Judaism, but also realize that we take our freedom for granted. He has made me feel lucky and proud to live in Canada and be Jewish. JYN has helped me to feel strongly connected to my roots in a way that nothing else could. JYN has allowed me to make connections with other Jewish teenagers in the area. The memories I have made from attending weekly classes, as well as going on the New York Shabbaton, will last a lifetime. There are so many things I could say about and thank JYN for, but the main ones are the knowledge I have gained, the friendships I have made, and the connections I have been able to make to my community. I look forward to the many things I have yet to learn from Rabbi Shmuli, and the many memories I have yet to make throughout the years as a student.

friends and be able to take a spare in Grade 11. Little did I know that I would love attending JYN. I look forward to going each week. Not only do I learn something new and important about Judaism but Rabbi Shmuli teaches us in a way that makes it easy for us to learn and understand. Rabbi Shmuli is really the nicest, most easygoing teacher. Not only is he a teacher and a Rabbi, he is a mentor to myself and to so many other students. He is very easy to talk to and I know that if I or anyone else needed him, he would always be available to us. I enjoyed volunteering for him at important JYN events, such as the JYN Gala and the Ground Breaking Ceremony. It is evident in the amount of people that come to these events how much of an impact he plays in everyone’s lives. Another highlight of JYN was the Shabbaton last year to New York City. It was AMAZING. We all had a great time because Rabbi Shmuli planned an amazing trip for us. I can’t wait until this year’s Shabbaton too!! I have told many friends over the last year to join JYN and more and more people have come. The classes are super busy for a reason. It’s really great. Every Jewish teen should experience JYN. JYN is a place where everybody belongs, no one is ever turned away and there is no exclusion. I am thankful for the bond I have been able to build with my peers, and for the special feeling I get when entering the doors at JYN. The JYN experience is priceless, and I am beyond grateful to be able to be a part of it.

through the Hebrew school, the Ambassador Program and the Grade 9 program. I love being involved in the JYN community. I became an Ambassador in Grade 8, and loved it so much I naturally wanted to join the Grade 9 program. I especially enjoy volunteering for the annual JYN Gala, as well as the extra volunteer programs or classes; there’s always something to do. During the past 2 years that I have been a part of JYN, I have created new friendships and lots of fun memories. With JYN, I have had the privilege of participating in many amazing events, such as the Holocaust Survivor seminar by Mrs. Leah Hochman “Keeping the Faith”, the JYN Ground Breaking, and the Match-a -thon Meet n Greet with basketball player Fred Van Vleet. Being involved with JYN teaches me about staying true to my Jewish identity and always wanting to learn more about what it is to be Jewish . I look forward to continuing and participating in many more JYN programs, activities and Shabbatons. I would like to congratulate Rabbi Shmuli and the whole committee on their 12th year gala.

their time at JYN I had to try it out for myself. The first day I had walked into class I felt beyond comfortable and welcomed. Rabbi Shmuli puts so much time and effort into the program and he always cares about every individual that walks through his doors and makes them feel good. With JYN I have had the privilege to go on 2 Shabbatons. The first was to New York, where I met teens from all over the world. The second one was in Washington where I made so many new friends and saw amazing things. Although they were both for only a short period of time, I will never forget my experience at the Holocaust Museum, or when a large number of Jewish teens gathered together in Time Square for a special night. After completing grade 9 at JYN, I finally understood my brothers’ perspectives on JYN and the education they received from the Rabbi and all the teachers there. The knowledge you gain through this program is like no other. Three years later, I am now volunteering in JYN Connect, which allows me the opportunity to mentor a child in hopes of making difference. As a mentor we help the mentee with their homework, do an arts and crafts activity and socialize with them. Two weeks into the program, I already feel a sense of confidence and gratitude. Not only has JYN helped me with my social skills, it has also allowed me to feel connected to the Jewish community and feel a sense of belonging. With the help of JYN and my family I now fully understand the importance of connecting to the community both during my high school years and beyond. I am so thankful for all JYN and Rabbi Shmuli have done for me and glad to say my time at JYN is not over yet!

I was warmly greeted by a young, relatable “Rabbi” who immediately made me feel comfortable and at ease. What a relief! And the topics he spoke about were so interesting and totally resonated with me–definitely not what I was expecting. I was encouraged to question, to challenge, to participate and fire away at all the conceptions I held about my identity and my religion. And through the discussions, I learned about the deep passions I had about my faith. I quickly became so comfortable and involved that Rabbi Shmuli suggested I take on a leadership role and become a JYN Ambassador, which I was absolutely ecstatic about. And so was my Mom. Being a JYN Ambassador is so empowering and has provided an outlet for my passion to roam free; for my voice to be heard. I feel secure in knowing that my opinions truly matter, and that I won’t be shut down. I have collected so many amazing memories and made so many connections to others that I know will bond us for a lifetime. Being a part of JYN has validated my feelings in ways I never even knew were possible, and even brought out a vulnerable side of me that I was previously unaware of. I recall many classes where we would watch documentaries or movies and later hold discussions about them that brought me to tears on matters I never would have imagined could or would have an effect on me. During my first year at JYN, my cousin was the current President, and being part of the same organization had deepened a common bond and brought our families even closer together than they were before. Throughout my time at JYN, I have always sought more ways to become involved and help plan a new project. I have become eager to spread the good word and volunteer at every event. And I have also initiated my own events at JYN, which have taken lots of time and planning, but with Rabbi Shmuli’s patience and encouragement all along the way. In my second year of JYN, I once again yearned for even greater involvement and responsibility, and so at this point, Rabbi Shmuli challenged my enthusiasm with a new program he was launching, called JYN Connect—a peer mentorship program. Although he originally intended for the mentors to come from Grades 11 and 12, he tailored the program to include me as well, since he felt I would be a great fit in the mentorship role. Both I and the program has thrived ever since it started. I have spent every Tuesday, from after school to 7:30 p.m.at JYN, making it a second home–and there is no place I would rather be. I have forged an extraordinary bond to many of the children at JYN Connect, but especially to my mentee from whom I have learned so much. We both genuinely look forward to the time we get to spend together. So, today I am now the President of JYN Connect as well as a JYN Ambassador, and still seek ways to take on more responsibility and be as involved as I can be. JYN is an indescribably amazing place with incredible people that I have had the privilege to know and to be around. And none of this could be possible without the support from my family. I truly believe everything happens for a reason, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it weren’t for the people I am so lucky to be surrounded by and the opportunities I have taken and made my own. Thanks, Mom! Your suggestion to try out JYN has helped shape me into the person I am today.

JYN is a place to experience new things and gain life lessons that will help anyone in their future endeavours. Even at a young age, I was able to learn all about my Jewish heritage and traditional customs. Being part of the JYN family provides a place to find your true Jewish identity, with the guidance and support of the JYN team. Rabbi Shmuli, JYNs founder, continues to thoughtfully plan different opportunities and experiences for Jewish youth which continue to exceed expectations. In my time at JYN I have had the amazing opportunity to participate in a variety of programs, including Teens For The Community, where I was encouraged to complete different tasks in order to help individuals in need throughout the Jewish community. This was a life-changing experience, as I could see what a difference my few small acts, once a week, were doing to help individuals out. After completing a full year of TFC, I decided to try a new volunteer program called JYN Connect, where high school students are able to mentor elementary school students. This was yet another experience I am grateful for. I was able to create amazing memories with my mentee and those participating in the program. Since then, I have started taking JYN Academy courses, in which I can see that JYN is definitely “more than an education.” While we study time honoured Jewish philosophers in class every week, we also get to discuss many social trends and current events. This allows my peers and I to be engaged and excited about the topics we are learning every time we come to class. Participating in many of JYN’s programs has given me the opportunity to appreciate who I am and the values I hold as a Jew, while being surrounded by a group of Jewish teenagers. Every week allows me to experience the satisfaction and pride of belonging to a community. As a student, I know that a big part of everyday life revolves around what our Jewish identity means to us, and I am glad to say that being part of JYN has definitely allowed me to discover mine. JYN is a place where everybody belongs, no one is ever turned away and there is no exclusion. I am thankful for the bond I have been able to build with my peers, and for the special feeling I get when entering the doors at JYN. The JYN experience is priceless, and I am beyond grateful to be able to be a part of it.

As a young child, I was initially skeptical to immerse myself in Jewish education as the unfamiliar is a common fear with children. However, I was instantly proven wrong when I began to have some of the best educational and social experiences. I spent roughly six years at JYN Academy, and in that time I learned all the amazing stories of the Torah and learned the Hebrew language, all of which helped me prepare for my Bar-Mitzvah. A couple of years later, I jumped at the chance of signing up for Torah 4 Teens, which continued to provide me with an endlessly fulfilling Jewish experience. I have met some of the best people and created the fondest of memories on the New York and Washington shabbatons, two events which I feel privileged to have taken part of. Throughout all these years, I have seen JYN grow and evolve into the wonderful organization it is now – a testament to the incredible work of its leaders. It is because of JYN that I know how to read Hebrew, that I am well-versed in the most fundamental aspects of Judaism, and most of all, that I am proud to call myself a Jew.