J-Fellows: Federation’s Flagship Program

J-Fellows is the Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s flagship program uniquely designed to support young professionals through skill development and collaborative action opportunities. Our overarching goals are clear: to learn, lead, and contribute to workplaces and the community. We aim to provide participants with a hands-on experiential learning opportunity to develop and grow a lasting network.

Participants will engage in five sessions over three months, each led by Jewish professionals discussing work and leadership in the workplace. They will benefit from leading-edge perspectives, personal insights, and best practices.

Mentorship Component:  

Alongside the general sessions, mentees will receive support from mentors in their profession. These mentors will meet with participants monthly for one-on-one guidance, helping them succeed in their fields.

A Community Project:  

J-Fellows participants will be divided into groups, each tasked with developing a community project. These projects will then presented to a panel, and the Federation will fund the winning project. 

Next steps:

Participants will be carefully selected for the exclusive 2025 J-Fellows program through an application and personal interview process. Candidates must attend at least four out of five sessions to complete the program, and three to four meetings with their mentor.

Applications will open in January 2025.

Please reach out to Michael for more details: mreznik@jewishottawa.com

Co Chair, Thierry Lafontaine-Chicha
Thierry is looking forward to serving as the 2025 Co-Chair of the J-Fellows program.
As a past participant in the program, he is enthusiastic about sharing this valuable opportunity with a new cohort of young professionals. Thierry moved to Ottawa in 2022 and joined RBC Wealth Management Dominion Securities as an Investment Advisor, bringing his expertise to high-net-worth clients. Since then, Thierry has been actively involved with the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, namely by leading financial workshops. Thierry believes J-Fellows will bring significant value to its participants on a personal and professional level. They will develop the tools and connections needed to launch their career or grow into well-rounded professionals who can then go on themselves giving back to the community.

Senior Chair, Michelle Jenicek Zilbergerts

Michelle is this year’s program’s senior chair and is looking forward to serving her second year after chairing the 2024 J-Fellows. As a former participant in the program (2023), she is eager to share this impactful opportunity with a new cohort of young professionals. Michelle moved to Ottawa in 2021 for her work as an economist in the federal government. Since then, she has actively engaged with the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, notably co-chairing the 2023-2025 Young Adults campaign. Michelle is dedicated to creating an enriching environment where this year's J-Fellows can learn, lead, and make meaningful contributions to the community.