JOLT

(JIAS Opportunities Leadership Training)

Jewish Family Service Calgary, in partnership with JIAS (Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Canada), and with the generous financial support of Calgary United Jewish Appeal, launched the JOLT (JIAS Opportunities Leadership Training) Program in January of 2009. This national initiative first started in Calgary, Vancouver and Ottawa, and currently being expanded to Toronto in early 2010, aims to grow and strengthen the Jewish community.

Intended as a portal into the Jewish community, the JOLT program consists of two parts. First, participants from the Russian-speaking Jewish community have a chance to learn about the structure of the Jewish community, its needs and determine how their talents and skills can best be harnessed in a Jewish community organization of their choice. The second phase consists of participants serving on a board of a Jewish organization with the support of a long-standing board mentor from that organization. The JOLT program aims to develop and utilize leadership talent from the Russian-speaking Jewish community and build relationships and bridges of understanding with the Canadian-born Jewish community.

In Calgary, the “JOLT 1.0” group began their program in January of 2009 and are currently participating on various Jewish community boards. The second group, “JOLT 2.0”, is currently being recruited to begin the program in January of 2010.

·          Are you a member of the Russian-speaking Jewish community looking to meet new people and be more involved with the Jewish community?

·          Have you served on a board of a Jewish organization and would like to meet new people and share your knowledge and experience with a new member from the Russian-speaking Jewish community?

To learn more please contact Irena Karshenbaum, JOLT Coordinator, at (403) 287-3510 x. 305 or irenak@jfsc.org.