L to R: Jeff Goldfarb, Board of Directors Chair, Kim Coulter, President & CEO, Norm Halpern, Larry Enkin, Robert Hall, Sandra Brown, Elliott Eisen, Gerald Epstein, Ruth Abrahamson, Peter Shenfield

Sewing a button hole was a lifeline to renewal and optimism in Canada for Holocaust survivors after World War II, and the spark that ignited the creation of JVS Toronto.  On June 16, 2017, JVS Toronto celebrated 70 years serving the Jewish and greater community.  Our roots and history – told below by former Board of Director Chairs who helped shape it – weave together a story of giving hope and building self-sufficiency by helping people facing restrictive hurdles in life gain employment.

Starting a seven decade journey

In post-war Europe, Holocaust survivors living in Displaced Persons Camps (DP Camps) waited for admittance into any country that would take them.  Max Enkin was one of the businessmen instrumental in The Tailor Project that identified those in DP Camps as tailors if they could sew a button hole.  As a result, 2,000 Jewish garment industry workers came to Canada in 1947.

This experience lead Max Enkin to establish Jewish Vocational Service of Metropolitan Toronto, now called JVS Toronto, to support Jewish immigrants, Holocaust survivors, and members of the Jewish community facing anti-Semitic hiring practices. 

1940s

“I met one of the tailors who came through that program.  When he saw my father, he recognized him as selecting him from a DP Camp.  My father said, ‘Most who came here weren’t tailors.  Why are you still in the industry?’  He replied, ‘Mr. Enkin, I was a tailor.’”

Larry Enkin, Son of JVS Toronto Founder, Max Enkin

• JVS Toronto opens its doors on June 16, 1947 at 455 Spadina Avenue, fittingly in the Tip Top Tailor Building
• $7,314 from the Jewish Welfare Fund of Toronto funds the agency
• Founder Max Enkins becomes first Board of Directors Chair
• Vocational counselling and job placement services are provided to newcomer clients
• Agency becomes a member of what is now the United Way Toronto & York Region

[Read more…]

JVS Toronto Board volunteers publicly recognized

Susan Fremes receives UJA Shem Tov Award

On June 7, 2017, Susan Fremes, Immediate Past Chair of JVS Toronto’s Board of Directors received the UJA Shem Tov Award that recognizes the highest levels of excellence in volunteer services in Toronto’s Jewish community.

A lawyer by profession with expertise in employment law, governance structures and designing and funding of pension and benefits arrangements, Susan has dedicated the last 10 years to JVS Toronto lending her skills and knowledge on a variety of Board committees, and as the Board Chair in 2014 – 2016. During her term as Board Chair, Susan led a Board matching fundraising campaign raising $100,000 over two months.

As a JVS Toronto ambassador, Susan participated in UJA Federation’s Social Planning Forum and their prestigious Joshua Institute, a program focusing on Jewish leadership and governance. Susan’s activity in Toronto’s Jewish community also includes volunteer leadership roles at JIAS Toronto, Beth Tzedec Synagogue and Baycrest.

JVS Toronto is proud to continue to have Susan’s support and passion to further JVS Toronto’s vision and mission and the values based on our Jewish heritage.

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Ontario Volunteer Services Award Recipients

At a reception on June 5, 2017, the Honourable Laura Albanese, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration presented the 2017 Ontario Volunteer Service Awards to five longstanding JVS Toronto Board and Board committee volunteers.

Sandy Brown: 30 years of service. Past Board Chair 1986-1988. Career, Education, & Psychology Committee Current Member.

Peter Shenfield: 20 years of service. Past Board Chair 1994-1996. Nominating Committee Past Member. Strategic Operational Review Past Member. Career, Education, & Psychology Committee Past Member.

Jonathan Kopman: 10 years of service. Past Board member. Finance Committee Current Member. Fundraising Committee Current Member. Investment Committee Past Chair.

Jacqueline Irvine: 5 years of service. Current Board Vice-Chair. Executive Committee Current Member. Governance Committees Current Member. Strategic Operational Review Past Member.

Elaine Pantel: 5 years of service. Former Board Treasurer. Finance Committee Current Member. Executive Committee Past Member.

This service award recognizes the important contributions that volunteers make in building a strong, inclusive and caring community.  For 70 years, JVS Toronto has been shaped through the involvement of volunteers in Board governance, fundraising, connections to resources and spreading the word about the agency’s services and expertise.

JVS Toronto is proud to recognize Pamela Eusebio-Romasanta, Winner of the 2017 Bhayana Family Foundation Partnership Award

On May 24, 2017, Pam Eusbio-Romasanta, our Manager, Disability Services, was one of 12 award recipients at The Bhayana Family Foundation Awards ceremony that recognized employees working at United Way Toronto & York Region member agencies who showcase the remarkable dedication, creativity and team spirit that are essential to building stronger communities.

Through a peer nomination process, Pam received The Bhayana Family Foundation Partnership Award at a ceremony held at Telus House in downtown Toronto. Jeannette Campbell, Director, Disability & Youth Services, and Greg Vailkioti, Employment Counsellor, Disability Services, also attended the event.

Pam’s award reflects her contributions made to engage and maximize relationships with key partners such as bridging the Developing Work Connections and Youth Community Choices for Success programs with Routes, a Canadian Mental Health Association initiative; and establishing a partnership with The Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf.

With commitment, expertise, attention to detail and a positive attitude, Pam’s efforts have built capacity so JVS Toronto can better serve the needs of adults and youth living with developmental disabilities, dual diagnosis, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

“This is really a team award,” Pam said after the ceremony. “I didn’t achieve these partnerships and results without the efforts and energy of the entire disability services team. We mutually bring out the best in each other.”

On behalf of the agency and Board of Directors, congratulations Pam!

Sincerely,

Kim Coulter
President and CEO, JVS Toronto