'Marva' Army Basic Training Program. Sept -Dec1999
Spent three months in basic training in the Israeli Defense Forces.
The Marva program is designed for non-Israelis who wish to serve and experience what the IDF is
like and why it is essential to the existence of Israel.
It is basic training conducted in a wide array of environments and in conjunction with several
military units in the IDF.
Participants spend time on topics such as IDF weapons, Jewish and Israeli history, government
in the Arab nations, navigation and topography.If you would like to learn more about the IDF,
please see my page on the shayetet 13 the Israeli Navy SEAL's
Kibbutz Mishmar HaEmek (HaShomer HaZair).Oct 1997-March 1998
Ulpan (Hebrew level Aleph+).
Spent five months on an intensive Ulpan run by the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption in the southern end of the Israel Valley. The entire program was conducted in Hebrew and included: daily kibbutz work placements, 30 hours of classroom instruction per week, regular trips to significant places and lectures on the history and politics of Israel.
Kibbutz Bar-Am (HaShomer HaZair) Summer 1996
Volunteer
Volunteered as an agricultural worker in the western edge of the Hula Valley. Responsible for digging and laying irrigation piping for fallow and unused lands as well as pruning and protecting orchards from fires.
'Ashkenaz!' Festival Parade Coordinator and Volunteer. July -Sep1999
Worked as a volunteer on the creation and building of props, sets and costumes which were part of the physical display and parade during a week long festival celebrating Jewish culture.
Ashkenaz is held every three years and is the largest celebration of its kind in all of North America.
Downtown Jewish Community Center. Summer1999
Senior Camp Councilor
Employed as the senior camp counselor for the downtown JCC summer program.
Coordinated directly with the camp director on the creation of fresh and innovative programming activities for more than forty children. Created theme days and weeks and organized field trips to museums and art exhibits.
Downtown Jewish Community Center. December 1999
Winter Camp senior Councilor
Rehired as a senior counselor for the winter break period.
Supervised the day and 'after four' programming for approximately forty children.
May 2000-Present.
During this period I returned to Toronto and have held several part and full-time jobs, mostly in the service industry. Presently I bartend at a Toronto restaurant (Terroni). I have also been developing my own photography at a Toronto based co-operative (Gallery 44).
Pembroke Residence Ltd. July-December 1998 Property Manager
Managed a budget hostel in downtown Toronto.
Primary responsibility was to conduct a promotional campaign with various travel publications as well as on the Internet.
Other duties included overseeing the collection of rent, planning and executing renovation ideas.
Successfully had the hostel officially recognized by Tourism Toronto.
McGill University Residences. Sept1995-April1996. President
Elected to the presidency of all five residences at thee university comprising 1340 students and a budget of $14,000.
Responsible for representing student interests to the administration and the larger student governing body.
On-campus efforts included: improving nighttime security, a woman's awareness committee and a review of the career services at the university.
Largest project was the installation of a fiber-optical backbone network wired to every residence room.
Citibank Canada. Summer 1995
Summer Student: Foreign Exchange Desk
Hired as a summer student on the financial instruments trading floor.
Conducted daily profit and loss reconcilement's for the foreign exchange trading desk.
Confirmed trades and market pricing between Citibank and outside offices at various locations around the world.