Inside the Inaugural L'Taken Canada

Over the weekend of March 28-31, 2025, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC), in partnership with Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) and the Reform Jewish Community of Canada, was thrilled to hold the inaugural L’Taken Canada program! After many decades of incredible programming in DC, L’Taken finally came to Ottawa!

37 teens and 7 chaperones from 6 congregations joined us in Canada’s capital. The group represented communities in Québec, Toronto, Ottawa, and Halifax. While some participants had met before, many arrived not knowing anyone outside their own communities, but that quickly changed. New friendships blossomed almost immediately. One teen shared, “I haven’t had any chances to connect with this many Jewish students at once. Everyone was so kind and welcoming.”

We were honored to be joined by Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, who gave a beautiful sermon during our Saturday morning service and participated in all of Saturday’s programming. 

Throughout the weekend, teens learned about social justice through a Jewish lens. To begin our programming, everyone participated in an economic justice simulation. Groups of two assumed an identity and navigated stations representing public assistance systems like tax credits and the Canadian Workers Benefit, alongside challenges, such as the gig economy and grocery store price discrepancies between Nunavut and Ontario. The simulation sparked thoughtful discussion, grounded in Jewish texts and values, about the challenges of navigating these systems and how they could better serve communities in need. 

Students also had the option to choose between 3 electives: Antisemitism, Israel, or Climate Justice. In the Antisemitism program, teens examined antisemitic tropes throughout history and in today’s world, explored the intersection of antisemitism with other identities, and practiced responding to real-life scenarios. The Israel elective covered a brief history of the state, explored various types of Zionism, and engaged with differing perspectives on the current conflict, including media analysis from just after October 7. In the Climate Justice program, teens learned how environmental crises disproportionately affect marginalized communities and reflected on Jewish teachings that call us to act.

We also ran an exciting advocacy simulation! Divided into two teams — one for and one against a carbon tax — teens practiced lobbying, debated policy, and staged demonstrations. Congrats to the anti-carbon tax team for passing their version of the “L’Taken Carbon Tax Act!” 

On Sunday, we focused on storytelling as a tool for advocacy. The teens learned how to share personal stories to amplify their values and causes. They also listened deeply to one another, building empathy and strengthening their voices. We hope this skill continues to empower them long after their time on Parliament Hill. 

We spent time exploring Ottawa, including free time at the Canadian Museum of History, shopping at Rideau Hall, and great meals and stores at Byward Market. A highlight of our sightseeing was our tour of Parliament Hill, where we got to see both the Senate and House of Commons! We learned about the history of both groups and the spaces they meet in, including their original locations and their temporary spaces as renovations continue on the main Parliament building. The highlight was our special entrance to the floor of the House of Commons. This was such a special experience that even our tour guide had never toured the floor before! 

Our Saturday night Havdallah was held at the Centennial Flame and led by Rabbi Rick Jacobs and one of our talented teen song leaders. Surrounded by Parliament buildings and the flame symbolizing Canadian unity, the moment was both spiritual and unforgettable. 

The weekend culminated in real-world impact: advocacy meetings with five Canadian Senators. Teens wrote and practiced speeches late into Sunday night, drawing on everything they’d learned throughout the weekend. 

Although the timing of Canada’s election cycle meant we couldn’t meet with MPs, we hope to do so in the future. Still, our Senators were generous with their time, took the teens seriously, and responded thoughtfully to concerns about antisemitism, the climate crisis, and economic justice. We even made it to Senator Patterson’s Instagram! As one of our teens said, “I really liked getting to lobby. Getting the opportunity to meet with real senators and have them take us seriously was super cool, helpful, and interesting.” 

L’Taken Canada would not have been possible without many stakeholders. We want to thank WRJ and their generous grant from the YES Fund that made the program possible. We also want to thank Temple Israel of Ottawa for being generous hosts, giving us space for programming and providing many delicious meals and inspiring services. 

The first-ever L’Taken Canada was a huge success—and we can’t wait to do it again! One teen put it best: “I LOVED IT. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS MUCH FUN. THANK YOU SO MUCH. It was a great opportunity and experience to get at such a young age. All the programs were really inspiring and I really liked everything—thank you!”

And THANK YOU to WRJ for supporting this groundbreaking project for our Jewish Canadian youth.