| Kehilat Yesod is more than a leadership program — it’s a journey of growth, connection, and adventure for post-B’nei Mitzvah Jewish youth.
Through deep engagement with Jewish teachings and rituals, hands-on wilderness skills, and a meaningful relationship with the Earth, participants gain confidence, resilience, and a deeper sense of self, all within a supportive and vibrant Jewish community. |
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Want to learn more about Kehilat Yesod? Email Paul Kitz, the Program Coordinator, at paul@shoresh.ca.
- Familiarity with Jewish tradition, stories, and teachings;
- Environmental values, ecological knowledge, and naturalist skills; and
- Maturity, responsibility, and activism.
OVERVIEW:
Monthly Meetings
| We will join together for community sharing circles, storytelling, wild-crafting, and more. Meetings take place one evening a month in a community member’s backyard, public park, or at Shoresh HQ at Dufferin and St. Clair. |
Community Festivals
| Shoresh hosts fun outdoor community festivals a couple of times a year, filled with games and activities, exploring, entertainment, and food.
Kehilat Yesodniks will support as day-of volunteers, coordinating and helping to facilitate Shoresh’s all-ages and family festivals. |
Immersive Experiences
| Fall Farm Shabbaton To kick off the year and grow cohesion and familiarity in the cohort, all participants join together for a special Shabbat gathering at Bela Farm.Winter Camping Trip Teens opt in to grow more comfortable being outside in the winter time and develop their outdoors skills on an overnight camping trip in the snow! Spring Canoeing Shabbaton |
PARTICIPANTS:
Kehilat Yesod is a community of Jewish youth in Grades 8-12 who are engaging in a hands-on, meaningful leadership program that brings Jewish values, rituals and teachings to life through deep connection with the natural world. Most participants decide to return year after year, growing their skills, deepening the community, and mentoring the less experienced teens. All levels of Jewish learning and practice are welcome.
This program has limited space and involves an application and interview process. You are welcome to apply if you are in Grade 9, 10 or 11. Though there are Grade 8 students in this program, they have completed Shoresh’s Yesod B’nei Mitzvah program. If you are in Grade 8 and have not been through Yesod, please apply for the Yesod B’nei Mitzvah Journey.
We are looking for those who express an interest in all three of the following and have significant experience in items 1 or 2:
- Personal growth, community service, or leadership;
- Immersion and experiences in nature; and
- Jewish practices, teachings, or community.
PRICING:
The base cost of the Kehilat Yesod Leadership Program is $1,300 (with sliding scale options from $1000-$1,600 /participant), which includes monthly meetings and the opening shabbaton. Two immersive experiences (winter camping and canoe trips) can be added on for $500 each ($350-$650 sliding scale). Generous subsidies are available. Options for subsidy exist within the registration portal.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
How did Kehilat Yesod start?
It was originally a program designed for graduates of the Yesod B’nei Mitzvah Journey. Now, we are excited to build on a growing community of like-minded teens, regardless of whether or not they had an opportunity to participate in our B’nei Mitzvah program!
Yesod, meaning “foundation” in Hebrew, was the starting point for many Kehilat Yesod participants, where they were brought through a coming-of-age process as a group, and asked themselves “who am I as a responsible person in this world?” Kehilat Yesod (meaning foundation community in Hebrew) expands on this first step, by asking “how do I want to relate to others and what does it mean to form responsible communities?”
Who are the staff mentors?
Learn more about our team of staff here.
How can I learn more?
Join us at our upcoming Virtual Info Night on April 16th, or email us!
Information and Accessibility
For more information or to discuss any accessibility needs you have in order to be able to participate in Kehilat Yesod, please contact Paul Kitz, Program Coordinator, at paul@shoresh.ca or call 416-805-8382.