Hi everyone! My name is Dan Petrenko and I am currently a grade 12 student. I’m very passionate about music, I love travelling, and my number one interest and hobby is theatre and production. I was lucky to join the J. Academy staff last summer, which proved to be a life changing experience. J. Academy introduced me to amazing, unique, and incredibly talented people who invest their efforts and time to make our community a better place. This year, I’m excited to be one of the councillors for the J. Academy 365 Teens Club as well as the co-instructor for the Theatre Program. Moreover, J. Academy’s new Musical Theatre group will welcome everyone this spring with their first production. I’m looking forward to a fantastic year with the J. Projects family!

My name is Keren Mayorov, I am a second year student in Ryerson University in the medical physics program. I joined the team of J projects the past summer as a counsellor in J academy. I had an amazing experience working with the kids, helping out with gymnastics and planning out events. I absolutely fell in love with camp! During the year I am going to be facilitating girls club with Ilana. I’m super excited to work with the community during the year as well as plan a bunch of awesome hangouts for girls. I’m really looking forward to seeing you all! 

My name is Sasha Ioffine, and I am currently studying Business at Schulich, York University. Although I study business, I have a particular interest and passion for the English language, literature, and journalism. When I am not perusing poetry, I am writing short stories! I am also an avid skier and love the outdoors, especially camping and Autumn hikes (that’ where I get my inspiration)! I also love ping pong, doodling, and baking chocolate-chip cookies! I love trying out new recipes in my spare time. My primary hope is that students learn from me, and I from them, all the while having a rockin’ time, of course.

My name is Masha Gorelik, and I am in my last year of university! I am studying French, Spanish, and Education, and I can’t wait to become a French Immersion high school teacher. I love teaching in formal and informal contexts (that’s why I did J. Academy for four years in a row). I have a strong passion for languages, literature, film, and culture. I also love to skate and ski, dance, cook, bake, and petting dogs at the park. I adore animals of all kind, and one of my goals is to volunteer in an animal shelter. I also love travelling and would love to teach abroad for a semester. Finally, this description would be incomplete without my passion for Jewish culture and Jewish education- it’s a vital part of who I am!

Hey everyone ! My name is Idan Nemirovsky and I'm a grade 12 science student. I enjoy tennis, collecting coins, and country music, as some of you may know me as the cowboy in camp. I have been part of J. Academy camp since 2011 and this was my first year as a staff member. Camp is honestly my favourite place in the world which is why I'm so excited to be involved in J. Projects throughout the year. I am one of the counsellors that runs teens club and I will always be around during reunions and other activities. I look forward to meeting and working with everyone who takes part in J. Projects throughout the year and next year at camp.

Hi! My name is Liora Amrom, and I am currently a third year student at the Ted Rogers School of Business at Ryerson University, double majoring in Business Law and Finance. Last year was my first year at J-Academy, and it was an absolutely amazing experience. I am extremely excited about this upcoming summer; I have been looking forward for camp all year long. I am also thrilled to reunite with everybody and meet the new campers/ staff!

Hey, my name is Basia Pozin and I love being active, being under the sun, and doing arts and crafts! I am looking forward to meeting everyone for the first time and sharing my passion for dance! During the year I study at the Schulich School of Business and work as children’s gymnastics coach. I can’t wait to enjoy a great summer break with all of you lovely people!

My name is Raya Klichinsky and I am in my last year at Ryerson University majoring in Psychology and minoring in Spanish. I love learning languages, reading, biking, travelling and learning about different cultures and people. Last year I spent 4 months teaching English in Prague, and I absolutely loved the experience. I've been working at J.Academy and J.Project for over 3 years, and was a CIT counsellor this past summer. I am super excited to continue my J.Project journey and create exciting and eventful experience for everyone year-round! 

My name is Ilana Golzman and I have been with J. Academy for 6 summers as a camper, CIT and now a returning counselor. In the last three summers I was the counselor of a home-group, musical theatre, and the dance chug in J. Academy. I am a competitive ballroom dancer and during the year I lead dance classes at Schwartz Reisman community centre. My passion for dance and sport inspires me to study the science of kinesiology at York University. During the year, I also worked leading Teens Club, assisting J. Roots classes, and assisting with J. Projects Russian classes. In the last few years I took part in the Diller Teen Fellows Leadership Program and J. Lead to help develop my skills as a community leader! 

Hey all, my name is Yan Katcharovski and I have been with J. Academy from the very start. I was a camper for a couple years, then completed the CIT program following which I became a counselor and am returning for the second summer as a camp counselor. I played soccer and rugby for several years and last year overlooked camp sports activities at J. Academy. Over the past year, I was the group leader for Teen Club, part of J. Projects, where I led activities and overlooked the kids participating in the club every two weeks.