UJA Holds Free BBQ at Lebovic Campus

Never underestimate a free hot dog and a little bit of Jewish community spirit.

Close to 1,500 Jewish residents from Vaughan gathered for a free barbeque on Thursday, where they met representatives from a vast array of Jewish organizations as well as political candidates. The residents were also able to obtain information regarding the second phase of construction on the Lebovic Campus (an initiative of UJA Federation’s Tomorrow Campaign opening in 2012).

The successful event was held at the Kimel Family Education Centre, the new home of TanenbaumCHAT. The key to the event’s success was the mass of information, which was as juicy and accessible as the free food. This became the unifying factor of this year’s Lebovic Campus BBQ.

Organizations and Jewish agencies including Jewish Family and Child, Jewish Immigrant Aid Services, TanenbaumCHAT, PJ Library, Koffler Centre of the Arts, The Schwartz/Reisman Centre, Mount Sinai Hospital and many others collaborated with UJA, and showed their appreciation for the exciting upcoming Jewish venture.

“It’s just such an innovative partnership we’re really happy that we were all able to come together for this initiative,” Sally Szuster, Director of Strategic Marketing at the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, said proudly.

It was truly touching to witness the coming together of Toronto's most revered Jewish services and agencies at the introductory barbeque. Families had the ability to walk right up to each well-organized blue stand and meet the representatives of each face-to-face.

But it wasn’t all about information at the Lebovic BBQ UJA and its sponsors ensured fun and food for everyone. Children listened to story readings courtesy of PJ library, while simultaneously enjoying their easy-to-chew snacks and juice. Face-painting courtesy of Mindy Buchbinder left hundreds of children to celebrate the upcoming Lebovic Campus with smiling, colourful faces. Later, Jewish youth were left in awe by the beautiful young dancers of the Koffler Centre of the Arts. The fun doesn’t stop there: Music, prize giveaways, and much more made the pending excitement for the new Lebovic Campus at an all-time high. The Barbeque was such a success that UJA released a statement calling for it to be an annual event.

“It was just an incredibly good time for all, and I was there with my four kids, ranging from 15 to 23,” said Richmond Hill’s Debbie Starr said in the statement. “And seeing exactly what’s in store for us all once the Lebovic Campus is complete was really encouraging. We love living here, and life’s going to get even better once we have access to all the new services and agencies that will be on the campus.”

“The event was created to demonstrate to the community north of Steeles Avenue just what life will be like for them once the second phase of the new campus opens in 2012,” stated UJA.

So far, the future of the Jewish community in Vaughan is looking bright, delicious, and ever-so exciting for all of its residents, thanks to United Jewish Appeal Federation of Greater Toronto and all of its proud enthusiastic sponsors and agencies.