Canadian Young Judaea

What Canadian Young Judaea does

Canadian Young Judaea (CYJ) is a registered Canadian charity and youth movement founded in 1917 at the 15th Zionist Convention in Winnipeg. It operates as Canada's largest pluralistic and apolitical Jewish youth movement, serving children and teens in grades 1-12 plus young adults through a portfolio of 8 affiliated overnight summer camps (Camp Kadimah, Camp Kinneret-Biluim, Camp Solelim, Camp Shalom, Camp Hatikvah, Camp Biluim Canada, Biluim Israel, and Machane Lev) and 1 day camp partnership (Camp Katonim, joining Summer 2026). The organization delivers year-round programming including JOLT leadership training, NextGen, Junior Programs, Youth Council, Jewish Teen Board, and national conventions (Mifgash, Winter Mifgash, East Meets West) across four Canadian regions: Central (Toronto), Western (Vancouver), Eastern (Montreal), and Atlantic (Halifax, Moncton).

The organization's product surface spans summer camp experiences, leadership development institutes, Israel travel programs (Biluim Israel, Arevim Masa, MOMentum, Adult Mission to Poland), and inclusive programming (Machane Lev for LGBTQ+ Jewish youth). Its technology stack is operational rather than proprietary: registration runs through CampBrain platforms, donations flow via CrowdChange, and community engagement is centered on Instagram and email newsletters. CYJ maintains an international affiliation with Hanoar Hatzioni Olamit spanning 15+ countries, enabling global leadership exchanges.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model: camp registration fees (not publicly disclosed), major donor campaigns (All Together Now Day of Giving, GivingTuesday targeting $12,500), adult program fees (Adult Mission to Poland at $3,863 USD/person), Rosh Hashanah card sales ($10-$12/card), and dedicated scholarship funds. The CYJ Camper Scholarship Fund allocates nearly $200,000 annually to ensure accessibility. The organization operates with a small national staff of approximately 6 full-time employees plus seasonal camp counselors (madrichim), led by CEO Risa Epstein, with partnerships supporting Canadian Hadassah-WIZO, Atlantic Jewish Council, Toronto Zionist Council, Camp Hatikvah Foundation, and Ve'ahavta for community service programming.

Name

Canadian Young Judaea

Legal name

Canadian Young Judaea

Website

https://youngjudaea.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1917

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Canadian Young Judaea is a Canadian registered charity founded in 1917 that operates as Canada's largest pluralistic Jewish youth movement, delivering 8 affiliated summer camps and year-round leadership, Israel, and community programs to Jewish youth in grades 1-12 and young adults across four Canadian regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Jewish Youth Development Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Academic Enrichment Camps (General Studies) (EDAMALAB)

Keywords

• Jewish youth programs
• Summer camps
• Leadership development
• Zionist education
• Nonprofit youth services

Headquarters

HQ city

North York

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Camp Registration Fees: Revenue from camper registration fees for 8 affiliated summer camps including Camp Kadimah, Camp Kinneret, Camp Solelim, Camp Shalom, Camp Hatikvah, Camp Biluim Canada, Biluim Israel, and Machane Lev. Also includes day camp programs like Camp Katonim.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Major fundraising campaigns including All Together Now (Day of Giving), GivingTuesday campaigns targeting $12,500 goals, and scholarship fund donations. The CYJ Camper Scholarship Fund allocates nearly $200,000 annually to families in need.
3. Adult Programs: Adult Mission to Poland 2026 at $3,863 USD per person, including land costs, accommodations, meals, transportation, tour guide, and Polish pilot. Also includes events like From Heart to Table cooking demonstrations.
4. Israel Programs: Biluim Israel leadership program for 17-year-olds combining leadership development, seminars, nature hiking and touring in Israel. Includes extended Poland trip component.
5. Scholarship Funds: Dedicated scholarship funds including CYJ Camper Scholarship Fund, Biluim Israel Scholarship Fund, Machane Lev Scholarship Fund, Rob Rochkin Scholarship Fund, and Barbi Dick Scholarship Fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Canadian Young Judaea operates 8 affiliated Jewish summer camps and year-round youth programming across Canada, serving children and teens from grades 1-12. Core offerings include overnight summer camps (Camp Kadimah, Camp Kinneret, Camp Solelim, Camp Shalom, Camp Hatikvah), leadership institutes (Camp Biluim Canada, Biluim Israel), Canada's only Jewish LGBTQ+ camp (Machane Lev), and year-round programs including JOLT leadership training, Junior Programs, NextGen, Youth Council, and Jewish Teen Board. The organization also runs adult programs such as Holocaust education missions to Poland.

Product overview

Canadian Young Judaea is Canada's largest pluralistic Jewish youth movement, offering a comprehensive portfolio of 8 affiliated overnight camps, 1 day camp partnership, and year-round programming. The core offerings include: overnight camps for ages 7-16 (Camp Kadimah, Camp Kinneret, Camp Solelim, Camp Shalom, Camp Hatikvah), leadership institutes (Camp Biluim Canada, Biluim Israel), an LGBTQ+ inclusive camp (Machane Lev), and a new day camp partnership (Camp Katonim). Year-round programs include JOLT leadership training, Youth Council, Junior Programs, NextGen social programming, Jewish Teen Board, national conventions (Mifgash, Winter Mifgash, East Meets West), and Israel programs (Adult Mission to Poland, Arevim Masa Year of Service, MOMentum). The organization operates through regional centers in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Halifax, providing continuous engagement from childhood through young adulthood.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• JOLT: Jewish Outreach Leadership Training - teen engagement program focused on Tikkun Olam and leadership development
• NextGen
• Junior Programs
• Youth Council
• Jewish Teen Board
• Mifgash
• Momentum

Products and services

• Camp Kadimah Jewish overnight camp for ages 8-16 located in the Maritime region of Canada. Promotes Zionist values, team building, and creates lifelong friendships with 98% of staff being former campers.
• Camp Kinneret Jewish summer camp for campers aged 7-15 operating on the same property as Camp Biluim, forming Camp Kinneret-Biluim. Celebrates Judaism and Shabbat with newly renovated facilities including basketball/tennis courts and dance studio.
• Camp Solelim Jewish and Zionist sleepover camp designed for 14 and 15 year olds, operating for over 50 summers. Provides exceptional programming, sports, art, and waterfront activities while developing leadership skills and love of Israel.
• Camp Shalom One of Canada's oldest Jewish/Zionist camping experiences for ages 7-13. Offers specialized activities, integrated informal Jewish programming, kosher meals, and Zionist camping experience. Owned and operated by the Toronto Zionist Council.
• Camp Hatikvah Premier Jewish and Zionist camping experience in British Columbia for Grade 1-9 campers, operating for over 50 years. Located on 40+ acres of lakefront property with facilities for sports, water sports, and arts. Non-profit operated by Camp Hatikvah Foundation.
• Camp Biluim Canada National Leadership Institute where 100 sixteen-year-olds from across Canada gather each summer for transformative experience focused on personal growth, leadership development, and exploration of Jewish identity and connection to Israel.
• Biluim Israel Final phase of CYJ's Leadership Training Programs for seventeen year-olds, combining leadership development, seminars, nature hiking, and touring in Israel. Named after the Biluim who settled Israel in the 1880s.
• Machane Lev One-week Jewish overnight camp for LGBTQ youth and youth from LGBTQ+ families. Canada's only Jewish LGBTQ+ summer camp, providing a safe space to celebrate Jewishness and family identities while enjoying camp activities. Also offers year-round programming.
• Camp Katonim Premier day camp for children ages 4-16 in Simcoe and Greater Toronto Area, established in 1932. Joining CYJ family for Summer 2026 as a gateway to introduce children to CYJ values, community, and spirit closer to home.
• JOLT (Jewish Outreach Leadership Training) Teen engagement and leadership development program operating in Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax. Engages participants in Jewish value-based programming, social issues outreach, and community leadership building with community service hours.
• Youth Council Council of dedicated participants who plan and execute events for peers and younger campers. Develops leadership skills through event planning with community service hours available.
• Junior Programs Entry-level programming for grades 1-5 introducing Jewish value-based activities, CYJ core values, and Jewish holidays through fun monthly activities (Pegishot). Builds community and Jewish identity in youngest members.
• NextGen Social programming for campers in grades 6-8 (or 6-7 in Montreal). Includes activities like bowling, mini golf, skating, Havdalah events, puppy yoga, and Yom Ha'atzmaut celebrations to maintain camp community connections.
• Mifgash Annual national gathering bringing CYJ members together for a weekend of social programming, Shabbat celebration, and camp-style experiences. Available for Central, Western, and Atlantic regions.
• Winter Mifgash Premier leadership development convention held in winter, bringing chanichim from across Canada to develop leadership and team building skills while celebrating Shabbat with the CYJ family.
• East Meets West Annual gathering of 16-year-old future Biluim Canada participants hosted at Camp Hatikvah in Kelowna, BC. Builds friendships, begins leadership training, and strengthens bonds coast to coast.
• Adult Mission to Poland Holocaust education heritage tour to Poland for adults 18+. Includes visits to Warsaw, Auschwitz, Krakow, and Lodz with Holocaust survivor accompaniment. Program includes accommodation, meals, transportation, and Israeli tour guide.
• Arevim Masa Year of Service Gap year program in Israel for young adults not ready for university. Provides volunteer opportunities, immersive Israeli living experience, and personal growth through the Masa Israel initiative.
• MOMentum Israel Trip Immersive Israel experience for women connecting with Jewish identity, culture, and community. Includes exploration of Israel and leadership development components.
• Jewish Teen Board Philanthropic leadership development program for grades 9-11. Teaches fundraising, community involvement, and collective grant-making rooted in Jewish values. Provides minimum 25 community service hours.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly $200,000 in annual scholarships allocated to Jewish families
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, important and minor.

• Canadian Hadassah-Wizo (CHW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHW is CYJ's Social Services Partner and major supporter of LGBTQ+ programming through Machane Lev scholarships. Also sponsors Biluim Israel Scholarship Fund and JOLT programs in Toronto and Vancouver. CHW has been a long-standing partner providing funding for camper scholarships and program support.
• Hanoar Hatzioni OlamitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Partner Movement connecting CYJ to Zionist youth movements across Europe, Latin America, Australia, and beyond. CYJ participates in Seminar Hanhigut Olamit (SMO) bringing together leaders from 15+ countries. Deep collaboration on leadership development and Zionist education.
• Atlantic Jewish Council (AJC)importantGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors JOLT Halifax programming and supports CYJ's Atlantic Region operations. Partnership enables Jewish teen engagement on the East Coast of Canada through local community connection.
• Moncton Jewish CommunityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNew partnership established for community programming in Moncton. CYJ celebrating Hanukkah together and expanding reach to smaller Jewish communities in Atlantic Canada.
• Camp KatonimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDay camp joining CYJ family for Summer 2026. Established in 1932, Camp Katonim serves Simcoe and Greater Toronto Area children ages 4-16. Partnership expands CYJ's offerings to include day camp options as gateway to overnight camping.
• Ve'ahavtaGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity service partner for JOLT Toronto's Tikkun Olam initiatives. JOLT participants prepare meals for distribution to individuals experiencing homelessness in Toronto.
• Toronto Zionist Council (TZC)importantStrategic or Co-development PartnerTZC owns and operates Camp Shalom, one of CYJ's affiliated camps. Partnership provides Jewish/Zionist camping experience for ages 7-13.
• Camp Hatikvah FoundationimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization operating Camp Hatikvah, affiliated with CYJ. One of Canada's premier Jewish and Zionist camping experiences, highest rated children's summer camp in British Columbia.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Birthright Israel: Provider of free Israel trips for young Jewish adults, including Birthright Excel leadership tracks; a partial overlap with CYJ's Biluim Israel, MOMentum, and Arevim Masa gap-year offerings.
• March of the Living: Annual Holocaust education program bringing Jewish youth to Poland and Israel; relevant overlap to CYJ's Adult Mission to Poland 2026 and the Poland component of Biluim Israel.

Broad incumbents

• Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life: Larger Jewish engagement organization serving university students; comparable in mission (Jewish identity, Israel connection, leadership) but targets an older age bracket than CYJ.
• Jewish Community Centres (JCC Association): Broader network of Jewish community centres operating day camps, after-school programs, fitness, and cultural programming — overlapping with CYJ's day-camp expansion (Camp Katonim) and year-round youth services.

Direct peers

• USY (United Synagogue Youth): North American Conservative Jewish youth movement running regional programming, summer camps (Camp Ramah network), and Israel travel experiences, structurally analogous to CYJ.
• Camp Ramah: Network of overnight Jewish summer camps affiliated with the Conservative movement; directly comparable in product (overnight camps) and target market (Jewish families seeking immersive summer experiences).
• B'nai Brith Youth Organization (BBYO): Largest pluralistic Jewish teen movement in North America, offering conventions, leadership programming, and AZA/BBG chapters that overlap directly with CYJ's community-led, year-round youth engagement model.
• Habonim Dror: Labor Zionist Jewish youth movement operating a network of overnight summer camps, year-round kvutzot, and Israel gap-year programs — a near-twin to CYJ's movement-plus-camps model.
• Bnei Akiva: Religious-Zionist Jewish youth movement with summer camps (e.g., Camp Moshava), year-round programming, and Israel leadership tracks; closest analogue to CYJ's Zionist camp-and-movement structure.

Regional players

• BB Camp (British Columbia) / Camp Hatikvah Foundation: One of CYJ's own affiliate foundations, but also operates as a regional Jewish overnight camp comparable to CYJ's other regional camp offerings (e.g., Camp Kadimah in Atlantic Canada).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/canadianyoungjudaea
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/canadianyoungjudaea

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Canadian Young Judaea