Why Work At Kadimah?

Working at Camp Kadimah is a rewarding experience. Our staff team is a mature, caring group of young adults who are dedicated and committed to providing a positive camp experience for all campers. We believe that staff return for many years because they are treated with respect and given the opportunity to take ownership of their summers by planning programs, making decisions, giving input, and helping to implement positive growth in campers and the camp itself. The Kadimah staff team is largely composed of past campers who feel a genuine passion for Camp Kadimah and wish to pay back the experience they had as campers to the future generation. Each year, over 85% of the bunk counsellors we hire are former Kadimah campers themselves. They fully understand the influence their own counsellors had on them and now, as cabin and camp leaders, they are proud to carry on that tradition with the campers to whom they’ve been entrusted. Similarly, we are excited by the 15% of new to Kadimah staff members who bring unique ideas and a fresh perspective to camp that is constantly growing and improving. If you enjoy working with people and want to gain experience that will be beneficial to your career, Camp Kadimah is the ideal place to work.

Sarah Atkins, B.A., B.Ed., M.A.

Director

Sarah has worked in the field of education and experiential education since 2002. Sarah brings to us a wealth of knowledge and experience having worked in the field of Jewish communal service and informal education. Previously, Sarah was the Director of Informal Education and the Director of the March of the Living at the Bronfman Israel Experience Centre in Montreal. Sarah has worked as an educator for the iCenter for Israel Education and before that as a high school teacher. Sarah earned a Masters of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies from Spertus Institute of Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago, as well as an Honours B.A. from McMaster University and B.Ed. from Nipissing University. Sarah also holds a professional certificate in Israel Education from the iCenter for Israel Education and serves as a faculty mentor in the iFellows program. Sarah is passionate about Jewish camping and using her skills to make camp fun and memorable while developing young leaders who feel a profound sense of belonging and community. Sarah’s creativity and leadership skills enable her to thrive at nurturing campers’ connections with Jewish values, Israel and the fostering of lifelong friendships.

Peter Svilik

Associate Director

Peter was born in Russia and moved to Israel at a young age. He grew up there until he and his family moved to Halifax. In Halifax, Peter has been involved in a variety of Jewish organizations and initiatives, including as the Co-President of Hillel Atlantic. Peter has been returning to Camp Kadimah since 2011, when he first attended as a camper in Machar. Since then, he has worked at camp as a bunk staff in Giborim, a Section Head of the Goshrim and Kochot sections, as Head Counselor, and as the Assistant Director. Peter holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Dalhousie University, a Master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Engineering from Carleton University, and a Master's degree in Israel Education from George Washington University. Peter is always excited to interweave science, sustainability and Israel into camp programming both for campers and staff. He speaks English, Hebrew and Russian, and he is very excited to continue to serve Kadimah’s diverse and ever growing community!

Jason Bergman

Assistant Director

Jason is proud to be the Assistant Director of Camp Kadimah. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Jason first arrived as a camper and immediately fell in love with Kadimah, its warm and inclusive community, and the East Coast of Canada. Passionate about leadership, community engagement, and social entrepreneurship, Jason recently graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree in Integrated Business and Humanities from McMaster University. Jason has been a member of our staff team since 2018, serving in a variety of roles, including Kochot general staff member, lifeguard, and Program Director. Outside of camp, Jason enjoys spending time with friends and family and is a die-hard fan of the Toronto Blue Jays, Raptors, and Washington Commanders.