Youth Groups


In a small community like Niagara Falls, Jewish youth groups and summer camps were particularly important. Young people needed opportunities to socialize together and to strengthen their Jewish identities. Children from Niagara Falls attended Camp Winnebago, Camp Wahanowin, Camp Shalom and Camp Solelim. The older children attended Camp Biluim and Biluim Israel. For many, camp left them with lifelong friendships. For some, it was pivotal in the formation of their sense of being Jewish. Thanks to the Zionist awareness he acquired in the summer of 1957 at Camp Shalom, Eddie Greenspan launched the first Young Judaea group in Niagara Falls that autumn, under the adult supervision of Jennie Bogomolny and Saul Shanas. His brother Brian and sister Rosann too became active. Brian was the first program director of Camp Solelim in 1967 and continued in that role in 1968 and 1969. Other early madrichim (leaders) were Natalie and Cynthia Gold and Brenda and Howie Bogomolny, Brenda and her husband Jerry Enchin later directed Camp Shalom.

The Niagara Falls Young Judaea became known as one of Canada’s most active small town Young Judaean centres. The members attended meetings and conferences held across the province and hosted a couple as well. As in other areas of Jewish life, the Niagara Falls Young Judaea included members from Welland and Port Colborne. The relationship with St. Catharines, on the other hand, was more in the nature of a rivalry, since that city did not have a Young Judaea but was instead very proud of its BBYO, or B’nai Brith Youth Organization.

Young Judaea
Young Judaea

Eddie Greenspan talks about his meaningful experiences with Young Judaea as a youth.

Interview with Eddie and Brian Greenspan, 25 September 2007, Sharon Gubbay Helfer. OJA, Oral History #337

Click here to watch the video