Program:

The Young Leadership Israel Advocacy Program (YLIA) is an exciting program that provides a select group of young professionals across Canada with the tools, materials, and political relationships to lead their communities by participating in the Canadian political arena and advancing the pro-Israel agenda.

The program will enable the next generation of leadership of the organized Jewish community to be exposed to and interact with Canadian parliamentarians and senior government officials, while cementing their commitment to community through engaging with their local Federation.

Eligibility:

YLIA is open to any Jewish young adult between the ages of 23-45 who is either a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant. Participants must have an interest in becoming involved in the Canadian political arena. Participants must reside in Canada throughout the program with the intention of staying in Canada afterwards. Undergraduate students are not eligible unless they are over 25 years of age.

Program features:

• An hour-long monthly conference call or session (January to August) built around an advocacy and community curriculum developed by the Canada-Israel Committee.
• Information and training to engage participants in the political parties as active members and the tools to navigate the party systems.
• A two-day retreat in Ottawa (usually in February, but may be later due to political or other circumstances), focusing on advocacy skill-building, Israel education, election training, community engagement, leadership skills enhancement and meetings with government officials and parliamentarians.
• In August/September 2011 (traditionally around Labour Day), a week-long mission to Israel together with a group of Canadian parliamentarians. The mission includes briefings with senior Israeli government officials, members of the Knesset and leading academics and journalists; strategic tours of the northern border and Golan Heights; Shabbat in Jerusalem, and much more (itinerary subject to change).

Time & Financial Requirements:

Participation in this initiative requires the commitment and willingness to participate in monthly conference calls or sessions, the Ottawa retreat, and an August/September mission to Israel. More specifically:

• There will be monthly conference calls or sessions from January to August, for which participants may have readings;
• Participants are expected to become comfortable with the federal political system (and parties), as well as interact with local Members of Parliament (MPs) regularly throughout the year (the program will provide opportunities to do so);
• Attendance at and participation in the Ottawa Retreat is mandatory for all participants. The anticipated registration fee for the retreat is approximately $295 + travel expenses (limited travel subsidies are available for those traveling from outside Quebec and Ontario);
• A weeklong mission to Israel with Canadian parliamentarians in August or September. The cost of the mission, after subsidies, is approximately $3000. Please note this mission is heavily subsidized, so there are no additional subsidies available, but a payment schedule can be worked out according to the participant’s needs. Although participants are strongly encouraged to participate on this mission the same year they do the program, mission participation can be deferred to a future year if needed.
• Participants must be members of CJPAC (visit www.cjpac.ca to join) and donors in good standing to their local UJA/CJA (i.e. made a gift to the annual Campaign)

Highlights:

• One of the main highlights of the program is the week-long, political and strategic tour of Israel with Canadian parliamentarians. Participants gain unprecedented access to senior Israeli politicians, military personnel, and political analysts. Beyond the formal agenda, participants will have the opportunity to socialize informally with the parliamentarians.
• The friendships and relationships developed between the parliamentarians and participants last well beyond the mission. Some of the past participants have gone on to volunteer on election campaigns for MPs they met during the program, while others have even changed careers to work full-time in the political sector. In almost all cases, past participants have maintained on-going relations with the parliamentarians from the mission.

Organizers:

• Canada-Israel Committee is the official representative of the organized Canadian Jewish community on matters pertaining to Canada-Israel relations. CIC is an agency funded by the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy, the advocacy arm of UIA Canada.
• United Israel Appeal Canada is a national Jewish fundraising organization and community planning body that brings together all the Canadian Federated and Council communities.
• Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee (CJPAC) is a unique national, grassroots, independent organization whose mandate is to activate the Jewish community in the political process, thereby advancing relationships with the Canadian political community, and fostering Jewish and pro-Israel political leadership.

To apply, download an application form: PDF format | Word document

Please send completed applications to meklove@uiafed.org by Friday, January 14, 2010.

For further information, please contact:

Mindy Eklove
Director – National Young Leadership
UIA Federations Canada
416-634-3072
meklove@uiafed.org