Ontario Teens’ Work Recognized

Chabad Youth Network of Ontario, directed by Rabbi Shmuli and Chani Nachlas, capped off another highly successful school year with an Evening of Recognition and Award Ceremony for the participants of the Torah 4 Teens (T4T) and Teens For the Community (TFC) social and educational programs.

Both programs, TFC—a unique program that engages over 100 teens in activities and fundraising events to benefit Jewish communities across the Greater Toronto Area, and T4T– the educational arm of Chabad Youth Network that offers professionally developed ministry-approved high school curriculum courses in Jewish philosophy and Biblical commentary to over 200 students weekly, merged forces on the evening of June 6th to highlight, in grand style, students’ achievements and recognize their efforts.

Parents, staff and students gathered to partake in a delectable dessert buffet reception, while honorary students and volunteers took centre stage to share personal reflections of light-hearted amusement as well as profound personal impact.

The evening’s MC and TFC Volunteer Danielle Elmaleh highlighted her experience by relating that, “during one of our meetings, we decided to make lunch bags for kids our age without shelter…this event was so significant to me because those kids who needed these lunches were my age, and they needed my help. And all of a sudden, the test I had next week and the project I had due didn’t matter anymore, because the feelings the volunteers get after we truly help someone is better than any feeling in the world”.

Echoing the same sentiment, 2-time TFC South President, Michael Saskin, said, “It is difficult to explain how much we volunteers benefit from TFC. First, it is a chance to gather with your friends and enjoy yourselves while making a positive impact on the world. Secondly, we benefit from doing such amazing things to help the community that we never would have done otherwise. Lastly, there is an inexplicable feeling of satisfaction when looking back on the great things we have done.”

Significantly part of the evening’s program was the Award Ceremony, which, with the participation of local dignitaries, recognized notable achievements and honorable mention.

Representing the T4T program, Awardee Robbie Raskin, observed, “In class, we take issues from today’s society and discuss them from a Jewish perspective. It’s pretty cool to see how some of the underlying messages of the Torah are being portrayed in our everyday lives.”

Lastly, to offer a parent’s perspective, Sylvia Babins, a mother of two boys who attend both programs, conveyed her observation to the crowd that, “We as parents believe that we should be inspiring and instilling morals into our children that will get them through life and teach them to be good people. But let me tell you that there is a big role reversal in my house.”

“The Year in Pictures” was screened in a specially produced video presentation, and in a memorable send-off, each student received the imprinted CYN signature hoodie. Armed with certificate in one hand, and hoodie in another, the lively group of students ended off the enjoyable evening with a group photo shoot, promising to reconnect, recruit, and re-organize in the fall, aspiring to even greater achievements.

“The teens have consistently demonstrated their dedication and exceptional work ethic, and we’re pleased to acknowledge everyone involved for their diligence and achievements,” said Rabbi Shmuli Nachlas, CYN Director.

The event culminated another year of intensive, city-wide classes and programming designed to advance CYN’s goal of empowering an ever-growing number of Jewish youth all across Ontario with a strong sense of identity, benevolence and responsibility toward their respective Jewish communities by means of Jewish education combined with pro-active community involvement.

And since CYN is not affiliated with any particular synagogue or community, it is run as an independent entity, with a broad vision to cater to the unique needs of any and all Jewish teens across the GTA.

For more information on TFC, T4T or Chabad Youth Network, please visit us on the web at www.JewishYouth.ca, or call the office at 905-889-7582.