Meet the CYJ Staff

Risa Epstein

Chief Executive Officer

My history with Canadian Young Judaea starts many years ago when I was eight years old and my parents put me on the bus to Camp Shalom. It is hard to believe that was over 40 years ago. I am happy to say that I went right through the system and spent five years on staff, 3 at Camp Solelim and 2 as Program Director of Camp Biluim Canada. It was at Biluim Canada in 1986 where I met my husband Amir to whom I have been happily married for close to 30 years. As history often repeats itself my three daughters Annie, Fay and Ellie have also enjoyed being active members of CYJ. My oldest daughter Annie is a teacher in the TDSB, Fay is an event coordinator, and Ellie is currently the Marketing and Communications Director at CYJ. I am an honors graduate majoring in English Literature and continued my studies in Holocaust and Genocide studies. For over 30 years I have been National Executive Director of CYJ and I have recently retired as Camp Solelim Director after a wonderful 13 year. In 2017 I co-founded our newest summer camp Machane Lev, Canada’s only Jewish LGBTQ+ Summer Camp. I enjoy every moment I have the opportunity to educate young people on Judaism and Israel.

Chazak V’ematz.

Ellie Gamliel

Director of Israel Education

Director of Marketing & Comms

I have grown up in the CYJ family since birth, going on Mifgash as a small kid and spending my summers from the age of six at Camp Solelim has taught me to be independent and how to roll with the big kids, but it was when I was shipped off to Camp Shalom in 2006 where my independent nature helped me succeed. I was a camper at Shalom for 5 years, then off to Solelim and Biluim in 2013. My camper years were concluded in the trip of a lifetime to Biluim Israel. Biluim Israel gave me a new understanding of what it meant to be a Zionist and why it is special to belong to a Zionist Youth Movement. I spent two summers being the Head of Social Media and Photography at Camp Solelim as a Madricha and spent three years as head staff at Machane Lev. After four years as the director of Biluim Israel I am committed to facilitating connections between the teens of Canada and the Am Israel! As a recipient of a Master's of Experiential Education from George Washington University, I will continue to provide high-level Jewish & Israel programming ot the CYJ Community from coast to coast.

Agnes Epstein

Biluim Israel Administrator

I have been working with Canadian Young Judaea for almost 15 years as the Biluim Israel Administrator. I sent my two daughters on their way to Camp Shalom, and there began the continuation of Canadian Young Judaea in our family. My daughter Lailah worked at Camp Shalom for three years, and my youngest daughter Rachel has worked at Camp Kadimah for the past 2 summers. It is truly a pleasure to work on such an amazing trips as our trips to Poland and Israel.

Fauna Grill

Office and Camp Administrator

While I am not an alumnus of CYJ, I am a proud CYJ parent and wife. My husband spent his summers at Shalom, Solelim, Biluim, Biluim Israel, and then back to Shalom as staff. Years later I accompanied him and our small children at the time back to Shalom as the camp Doctor. The magic of this movement is evident to me. Our children have grown up following in their father’s footsteps, with one now as a staff at Solelim and the other finishing his camping days, before joining staff as well. Both of our children thank us for allowing them to be a part of CYJ and admit that it has helped to shape them as compassionate people and proud Jews. Having grown up in a small community as the sole Jewish student in my school, I was thrilled to begin my professional career as the Outreach Director for the Regional Jewish Communities of Ontario, under the Canadian Jewish Congress and later United Israel Appeal. Giving kids in small communities an opportunity to connect with others like them through Shabbatot, and trips to Washington and Israel is something I am very proud to have been a part of. Apart from my love of Israel, I spend my time coaching figure skating and power skating, volunteering with Veahavta and Na’amat, and spending time with my family and our dog.

Sadie Seaton

Toronto Program Coordinator

Shalom! My name is Sadie and I’m excited to be leading JOLT this year! My CYJ journey began as a camper at Camp Shalom in 2015, and I’ve since attended Camp Solelim, Biluim Canada, and Biluim Israel. I have been a staff member at Camp Kinneret for the past three summers. I love everything about camp - from Shabbat and Maccabiah to spending time with friends, there’s no place I’d rather be! I am currently in my third year at York University studying kinesiology and health science with a minor in psychology, and outside of school and camp I love running, swimming, and skiing. I’m so excited to support campers as they connect, grow, and have fun while giving back through JOLT.

Tani Segal-Pillemer

Biluim Israel Director

Hi everyone! My name is Tani Segal-Pillemer and I am the new Biluim Israel Director! I can’t wait to meet you and all of your children soon! I am looking forward to an incredible summer this year in Israel! I joined CYJ for the first time as a camper on Biluim Israel 2017, motivating me to then work at Kadimah as a lifeguard and as a Goshrim staff! Biluim Israel and Kadimah is where I made long lasting friendships and connected to my Jewish identity and Zionistic roots. I have been working for Biluim Israel for three years, first as a staff member and then as the assistant director these past two years. Biluim Israel has strengthened my sense of Jewish pride and love for Israel, teaching me about the importance of CYJ as a youth movement as well as what it means to be a Zionist. With my BEd degree from York University, I am also a teacher within YRDSB working with primary and junior students. As a primary junior teacher and my prior experience working for Biluim Israel, I have worked with a range of age groups. I hope to create an environment where all campers feel they belong and are valued as essential to CYJ and our Jewish community at large. I am so excited to travel to Israel this summer with all of you and lead this incredible group of Chanichim and Madrichim!