Yelena Gordon

Our programs:

Roots Research Project

Project Roots enables Russian-speaking Jewish families conduct genealogical research and explore their family roots by accessing archives and materials in the US, Eastern Europe and former FSU with the assistance of a professional researcher.

BluePrint Fellowship

The program empowers RSJ change makers to create their own community-building initiatives, with the support of a network of peers, educational workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and mini-grants for project implementation.

B'nai Mitzvah RSJ Family Journey

A customized, year-long family program for Russian-speaking Jewish parents and their children leading up to Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

RSJ Symposium 2019

Convening of professionals building a strong, Jewishly connected RSJ Community across North America. Following two highly successful convenings, the COJECO RSJ Symposium 2019: The Power of Connection will gather participants to share learning and build networks. We will tap into our collective intelligence to address questions shaping the future of the RSJ community as part of the larger Jewish community.

RJKrug

Interested in a unique Jewish learning program co-created by Russian-speaking Jewish families and leading Jewish educators? RJKrug, Innovative Jewish Learning Program For Children and Parents opens its registration for 2019-2020 program year.

Germany Close Up

Bringing Russian-speaking Jewish young adults on 8-day educational trips to Germany to explore the past and present of Jewish life in Germany, and to experience modern Germany first hand.

COJECO New Jersey

We have launched a successful program for adults, children, teens, and families in Northern New Jersey, in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.

Ukraine: Refugee Resources & Ways to Help

As the war in Ukraine rages on, our community is welcoming more refugees from Ukraine every day. COJECO has been working tirelessly to help people impacted by the War in Ukraine to resettle in New York and New Jersey. Read more about our efforts and Join!

COJECO 20th Anniversary Gala

Join COJECO in celebrating 20 yrs of strengthening the RSJ Community Honoring Val Mandel, Esq, COJECO Founding Board Member, Recognizing RSJ community leaders of Ukraine Emergency Response initiatives and Fashion collection presentation by designer and editorial stylist, COJECO BluePrint Fellow Leonid Gurevich

Yelena Gordon

Program Coordinator, J. Academy Camp and J. Projects

yelena@srcentre.ca

Yelena Gordon was born in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. When she was 16 years old, she made Aliyah to Israel where she finished high school, served in the IDF and attended University. After the IDF she worked in Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. overseeing employee professional development (HR Department). In 2011, she moved to Canada with her family where she became involved in the Jewish community. In 2015, she joined the J. Academy Camp and J. Projects team as program coordinator. Within the role, she was able to outreach to community members who were not previously engaged, creating successful programs such as J. Projects women\'s club, Money Works (financial literacy program for kids/teens) and an annual Yom Ha\'Atzmaut event for adults. She volunteering in Limmud FSU Canada as the children\'s programming co-chair in 2014-2017. ) Yelena, together with husband George and sons Nick and Antony enjoy being a part of the Russian-speaking Jewish community and attending events organized by J. Projects, their locals synagoge, Limmud FSU, and the larger Jewish community.

Organization

JCC/Schwartz/Reisman Centre, Toronto

https://srcentre.ca/home/

Mission: Schwartz/Reisman Centre's mission is to build and sustain a caring and vibrant community hub, welcoming to all, based on a solid foundation of Jewish values and a strong connection to Israel.

Personal mission:
Learn community needs and initiate new projects and programs to expand the scope of J. Projects.
Consolidate and expand Russian speaking Jewish Canadian community by creating high level J.Projects programs and events.
Develop relationships and work with other institutions that meet the needs of the Russian speaking Jewish Canadian community.
Provide exceptional customer service to make people feel “at home”