With the new academic year just around the corner, Hillel Ottawa is proud to introduce the student leaders who will guide Jewish campus life across the city’s post-secondary institutions. 

With a commitment to creating vibrant, inclusive, and engaging spaces for Jewish students, this year’s school presidents are ready to shape a meaningful year ahead.

“We’re beginning the year with a completely new professional team, and for the first time we have both a Springboard Fellow and an Israel Fellow,” said Hillel Ottawa Director Jamie Sweigman. “Our goal this year is to ensure that every student who wants to explore, learn, or lead in the Jewish community has the tools, guidance, and support to do so.”

Hillel’s Springboard Fellow, Alexa Barett-Taller, was recently introduced in an Ottawa Jewish E-Bulletin article which you can read here, and their new Israel Fellow is expected to arrive in Ottawa in October.

Hillel Ottawa plays an essential role in connecting Jewish students at the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, and Algonquin College, offering programs, holiday celebrations, advocacy, and opportunities for personal and cultural growth. 

The school presidents are at the forefront of this work, serving as ambassadors, event organizers, and role models for their peers. This year’s leaders bring a mix of energy, experience, and vision to their roles.

Deena Friedman is the leader of the Hillel Ottawa branch at the University of Ottawa. While she could not be reached for comment, she has worked at Hillel in this capacity previously and has done a lot of work to ensure that Jewish students feel safe and seen on campus. 

Gabriela Jinich Fainsod will be the president of Hillel’s Carleton University division. An engineering student, she believes that serving in a leadership role at Hillel is an integral part of her university experience and has been made even more critical given today’s climate on university campuses for Jewish students and faculty.

Serving in this role “has been transformational,” she said. “I’ve explored what it means to be Jewish, how I want to live that, and what kind of community I want around me.”

At Algonquin College, Abby Tatham will be the division president. She is eager to connect with her counterparts at other Ottawa postsecondary schools and to help build the Jewish community at Algonquin.

“My goal is to show university students the rewarding careers college can offer,” she said. “There are also other students … who have never met a Jewish person before, and I hope to give them a good first impression of our culture.”

Each president has set out priorities to enrich Jewish student life on their respective campuses. Plans include expanding social programming, enhancing holiday celebrations, and collaborating on interfaith and intercultural initiatives. 

“Together, this team brings a dynamic energy that we believe will transform the student experience and open new doors for learning, leadership, and community-building,” said Sweigman.

Behind each student leader stands a network of support from Hillel Ottawa. Staff provide mentorship, leadership training, and resources to help the presidents implement their ideas and grow as leaders. This partnership ensures students have the tools to make a meaningful impact and strengthens Hillel’s mission of nurturing Jewish life on campus.

As the year unfolds, Hillel Ottawa and its new presidents are excited to welcome students to engage, connect, and celebrate Jewish life together. 

Students interested in getting involved can follow Hillel Ottawa on social media or email Jamie at [email protected]