Tiferet, Executive DirectorTiferet is a Jewish environmental educator and community builder. She holds a Masters in Education and a B.A. in Diaspora and Transnational Studies with a focus on relationships between diasporic and Indigenous communities. Tiferet completed the Wild Deer wilderness skills training, and is a recipient of the David Suzuki Award for environmental educators. She has worked with the TDSB, the Toronto Parks Forestry and Recreation Department, the University of Toronto’s Multifaith Centre and is founding resident of Moishe Pod Toronto. Tiferet’s life has been woven with Shoresh since its inception and she is thrilled to be serving as Executive Director.
Vlada, Operations ManagerVlada (she/her) is newly in her nature era after completing Shoresh’s Zmanim program in 2024. She’s always loved sitting at the computer, but is now trying to make up for lost time by learning more about birds, trees, bees, and sacred waters. Vlada holds a Masters in Social Work and comes to Shoresh from a career in tech as a UX Researcher and Content Designer, and a social worker before that. She’s passionate about Jewish community, social justice, alternative economies, and design thinking. Outside of work she loves crafting, yard sales, and collecting craft supplies at yard sales.
Cara, Development ManagerCara has been building inclusive and vibrant community for marginalized and under-resourced Jews in Toronto for 15 years. Cara loves Judaism and made it her business to do what she can to ensure that everyone who wants has access to it. At the Miles Nadal JCC, Cara spearheaded the strategic growth of inclusion programming, with a focus on LGBTQ+ Jews and Jewish people under 40 through founding LGBTQ+ at the J and Queer Jewish Incubator and co-founding Lishma. Cara has been a nature Jew since her early 20s when she received a permaculture design certificate during her time on a Jewish eco-farm. Her connection to Shoresh has spanned over a decade, first as an attendee of the Shoresh Jewish Food Conference in 2012 and then as a supporter, volunteer and most recently a facilitator of Shoresh’s current strategic plan. Her favourite thing to do is to sing morning blessings with friends in nature. She holds an MBA/MA in Social Impact and Jewish Professional Leadership from Brandeis University.
Karen, Program & Site ManagerKaren (she/her) is a community organizer and critical educator who has founded and directed a range of educational and activist programs for youth and adults and created grassroots frameworks for community organizing, direct action, and language learning. Most recently she has been working at the intersection of climate justice and human rights in the Israeli-Palestinian context. After being based in Jerusalem for many years, Karen is returning both to Toronto and to environmental education as she joins the team at Shoresh. Karen loves to be outside, in wild and cultivated places, and as a parent to a young kid has lately been re-focused on delighting in the wonders of nature and eating vegetables and herbs straight from the garden.
Daniel, Child & Family Program CoordinatorDaniel holds a Master of Environment & Sustainability from the University of Toronto, where his research explored how Jewish communities engage in environmental action. He has worked in plant conservation and nature education, and is passionate about connecting ecological sustainability with community life. Daniel’s Jewish education and personal passion for sustainability fuel his excitement about weaving together Jewish tradition and environmental values. In his free time, he can be found playing music with friends, hiking, or reading science fiction and fantasy novels.
Paul, B’nei Mitzvah, Teen, & Adult Program Coordinator
Paul is drawn to big questions: Where does Truth lie? How can I grow more intimate with life? How can we, collectively, live in a way that honours the dignity of life in ourselves and others? What does healing look like? These questions have taken Paul into politics, the wilderness, and on a spiritual journey that has included being ba’al teshuvah, leaving Judaism, and connecting with teachers from various traditions before reconnecting with Judaism through family, lineage and ancestry. Paul finds joy, connection and purpose spending time with young people. He is a Child and Youth Care Practitioner that has worked with individuals and groups from family homes to summer camps, ballet schools to hospices. He is blessed to work in a mentorship role with people of all ages in the context of nature, and is excited to support B’nei Mitzvahs living into their own big questions at such a potent time in their lives.
Isaiah, Lead Educator – Camp ShoreshIsaiah is a person who is fascinated with the world around him. He is a cyclist, fruit and vegetable gardening enthusiast, passionate about making cities a better place to live and is fascinated by the movement of people including public transportation (especially trains). He is currently a student at York University working on his Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Cities, Regions, Planning. Isaiah is a believer in designing spaces for children who see the world differently and more creatively. If you see him walking around our beautiful city, say hello!
Talia, Lead Educator – Camp ShoreshTalia (she/they) has always been happiest outside, where she finds wonder and deep learning by observing the natural world around her. Talia’s Jewish journey was sparked during summers at camp, where they first felt empowered to discover a Judaism deeply intertwined with nature, social justice, and exploration. For the past decade, Talia has worked in both formal and informal Jewish education spaces, including as a Jewish studies teacher, summer educator, outdoor trip leader, and camp educational director. Talia is passionate about youth empowerment and play-based learning and is so excited to explore wonder for the outdoors at Shoresh!
Tamar, Lead Educator – Toddler Program
Tamar is a teacher, student, and doer in the world of Jewish outdoor education, specializing in trees. Her work in trees in Toronto’s public and private sector and her years of experience leading canoe trips for Camp Ramah in Canada led her to the inevitable conclusion that the best place to be is outside. Tamar has studied in many institutions of Jewish learning, including TanenbaumCHAT, Associated Hebrew Schools, Pardes, and Urban Adamah. Tamar is a coordinator at heart, always looking for efficiencies in service of facilitating Jewish community gatherings focused on ritual, song, and nature connection.
Josh, Volunteer ExtraordinaireJosh began volunteering for Shoresh in May 2018 at the Kavanah Garden. He enjoys carpentry and has built numerous projects including cutting boards, trays, desks and shelving units. Josh built Shoresh’s solar beeswax melter for Bela Farm, among other things. In 2021, Josh completed a beekeeping course through the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association. He was a recipient of a volunteer recognition award for his contributions to Shoresh. Josh is passionate about his work at Shoresh as he enjoys learning about nature in a hands-on way. Outside of Shoresh, you can find Josh riding his bike or enjoying a slice of pizza.
Risa, Founder of ShoreshRisa is an outdoor educator, environmentalist, and urban homesteader. For 13 years, she served as the Founding Executive Director of Shoresh, grateful for the endless opportunities Shoresh offers to explore Jewish traditions in the fields and forests of southern Ontario. After proudly celebrating Shoresh’s B’nei Mitzvah, Risa retired from the organization in 2021. Her favourite vegetable is the beet.
Sabrina, Co-Founder of ShoreshSabrina began working with Shoresh in 2011 after spending six years working and volunteering in the Jewish Food Movement in New York and Israel. She participated in the Adamah in 2005, studied at the Eco-Activist Beit Midrash in Jerusalem in 2006, and worked with Hazon from 2006-2007. Upon returning to Toronto, Sabrina got an MES from York University with a focus on pollinator protection in urban centres. In 2010, Sabrina was awarded the Canadian Pollinator Advocacy Award from the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign. Sabrina is a mom and Shoresh’s resident beekeeper.