For Teens and Kids!

NCSY is an international Jewish youth movement dedicated to inspiring teens to make Judaism part of their lives, during the stage of life most crucial for identity formation. In addition to Torah High, an after-school program where Jewish students can earn high school credits for Jewish studies courses, NCSY’s other flagship program is the Jewish Student Union, a robust schedule of Jewish Culture Clubs operating in public schools across the city featuring free kosher food and educational/cultural activities run during lunch.

Additional programs also include:
Learn & Earn, Shabbat dinners, social and holiday events, weekend conventions to incredible destinations, leadership and volunteering initiatives, Junior NCSY (for Grades 6-8), parent and family programs, an alumni learning fellowship, summer trips to Israel, and more.  Truly offering something for everyone, NCSY is the address for Jewish teen engagement in Ottawa.

The flagship program of NCSY Canada, Torah High is a unique after-school program for public school students, designed to promote academic excellence and an appreciation of Jewish life.

They are an accredited private school, offering credit courses in Jewish studies, core high school subjects taught featuring Jewish content, and Hebrew language. Torah High classes feature a mix of textual and multimedia-based lessons, exploring Jewish perspectives on topics ranging from current events to issues high school students commonly face in their daily lives. 

Classes are taught in the informal atmosphere of the NCSY Centre (boasting video game systems for break times and snacks served at every class), by dynamic teachers who are able to transmit the depth and significance of traditional Jewish values in a meaningful and relevant way. 

USY empowers Jewish youth to develop friendships, leadership skills, a sense of belonging to the Jewish People, a deep engagement with and love for Israel, and a commitment to inspired Jewish living through meaningful and fun experiences based on the ideology of Conservative Judaism. Ottawa’s USY chapter, JACCUSY, is particularly passionate about Social Action and Tikkun Olam (Repair of the World) and takes many opportunities to have fun together while being a “Light Unto the Nations”.

Contact: youth@kehillatbethisrael.com 

BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences. As expressed in our core values, BBYO welcomes Jewish teens of all backgrounds, denominational affiliation, gender, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status, including those with a range of intellectual, emotional, and physical abilities.

Contact: glieff@jewishottawa.com

FROSTY is the Federation of Reform Ottawa Senior Temple Youth, a dynamic group of Jewish Youth in Ottawa affiliated with Temple Israel and the Reform Movement. FROSTY organizes and runs a variety of awesome social, religious and educational programs and activities.

FROSTY welcomes people of all levels of religious observance. You don’t need to be a member of Temple Israel or have any prior Jewish experience to enjoy a great time at our programs. While some of our programming includes religious content the theme is always inclusive and dynamic.

Ottawa’s local camps can be accessed by the link below:
jewishottawa.com/info-center/jewish-camps

Note that many Ottawa campers attend other overnight camps in Ontario and Quebec, including:

hakibbutzottawa@gmail.com
www.hakibbutz.ca
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Sue Potechin, HaKibbutz Program Manager (spotechin@jccottawa.com)
Elena Passwell, HaKibbutz Coordinator (hakibbutz.coordinator@gmail.com)

The first social enterprise in Ottawa for Hebrew-speaking children in which they will develop values-base leadership skills, create meaningful social relationships, and of course have fun, all in Hebrew.