Yelena Gordon

Our programs:

Adult B'nai Mitzvah Journey

COJECO is excited to launch its Adult B’nai Mitzvah Journey, a program for Russian-speaking Jewish adults in New York! This unique experience encourages and enables the participants to join meaningful Jewish learning, celebrate their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and bring the joy of Jewish living to their families.

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.

COJECO Virtual Academy of Jewish Heritage

The Virtual Academy of Jewish Heritage offers a series of top-notch Jewish and Israel-related educational sessions in English and Russian. Learn more on how to attend these free virtual lectures and help support the academy!

RJKrug

Interested in a unique Jewish learning program co-created by Russian-speaking Jewish families and leading Jewish educators? RJKrug, an Innovative Jewish Learning Program For Children and Parents, will soon begin its cohort for 2023-2024.

Germany Close Up

Bringing Russian-speaking Jewish young adults on a 9-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 Anniversary Gala

Join COJECO in celebrating its annual gala honoring the RSJ Community. Stay tuned for details about the 2025 annual gala!

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”