Features
Employment opportunity with Calgary Jewish Federation
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The Opportunity
Calgary Jewish Federation (CJF) has an exceptional opportunity for a passionate, visionary Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with strong community building, fundraising, and strategic management skills who will lead the organization into the next stage of its growth and development, recognizing and embracing the unique needs and priorities of this vibrant, dynamic, and growing Jewish community. This CEO also has the unique opportunity to also lead Calgary Jewish Federation’s Campus Corporation and will be responsible for ensuring sustainable operations of the existing community assets including the Paperny Family JCC and other assets on the campus lands, working collaboratively with the Paperny Family JCC Operations Committee and Paperny Family JCC Executive Director.
CJF’s next CEO will help create and shape their vision for the future of Jewish Calgary and play a critical role in developing an up-to-date strategy that helps the community continue to thrive. The successful candidate will have a proven ability to attract and nurture donors, support other aspects of community leadership and be able to work with a broad array of volunteers and agencies towards the goal of enhancing Calgary’s Jewish community for today and for the future. The successful candidate will also lead the long-term vision and feasibility of building a new campus for Jewish life in Calgary.
The Community
With a Jewish population of approximately 9,300 and a deeply committed and engaged volunteer base, Calgary offers both a cosmopolitan and healthy lifestyle with world-class outdoor recreation and a strong Jewish infrastructure. Calgary is home to a community with diverse choices for a rich Jewish life. There are five congregations: reform, traditional egalitarian, conservative, modern orthodox, and Chabad. The Jewish education system offers two pre-schools, two full-day day schools with programs beginning in kindergarten and continuing to grade nine and a vibrant day care located in the Jewish community centre that is recognized as one of the best in Calgary.
The Jewish communal infrastructure in Calgary includes a vibrant Jewish community centre, Jewish Family Services, a regional summer camp, PJ Library®, JAC (Jewish Adult Calgary), Hillel, BBYO, and most national and international Jewish organizations. Plans are underway to create a community campus with a new JCC, housing for seniors, and a new home for Calgary’s largest Jewish day school.
Position Summary
Position Title: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Reports to: President and Board of Directors, Calgary Jewish Federation
Direct Reports: The CEO will lead a team of 17 full and part-time staff. Direct reports include: Director of Development, Director of Marketing, Director of Engagement, Director of Finance, with the potential for candidate to hire additional senior support staff.
Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Vision:
- Take a leadership role in the development and implementation of the strategic initiatives defined by the CEO and the CJF’s board of directors to meet the current and future needs of the Calgary Jewish community locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Work closely with volunteer leadership and staff to develop and provide oversight for strategic campaigns and initiatives, including the annual United Jewish Appeal (UJA) campaign.
- Identify feasibility, develop plans, and buy-in for the creation of a community campus including securing government funding.
- Grow strategic partnerships with beneficiary agencies and other organizations.
- Along with the Paperny Family JCC Operations Committee and Paperny Family JCC Executive Director, responsible for ensuring sustainable operations of the existing community assets including the Paperny Family JCC and other assets on the campus lands.
Fundraising and Marketing
- Work with the Director of Development to construct and lead fundraising campaigns that engage and inspire the entire community and focus on bringing in younger and engaged donors as part of long-term planning. These include undertakings such as UJA, and special initiatives such as a capital campaign for the new campus.
- Evaluate and identify alternative and new sources of alternative funding for support of the community.
- Increase awareness of the CJF brand and increase overall engagement by marketing, developing, and implementing new programs that will target specific audiences such as young adults and families, and potential supporters not yet engaged in the Jewish community.
- Build solid relationships with donors in the community. Develop and passionately convey a strong case for giving.
Leadership and Outreach
- Provide sound leadership for a productive and committed team of employees and volunteers across the demographic spectrum, as well as foster the development of leaders for the future.
- Proactively build and maintain relationships based on trust and shared interests, listen to and address the needs of stakeholders across the Calgary Jewish community.
- Engage and partner with donors, community leaders, and members to identify opportunities for innovative programming and collaboration aimed at ensuring a vibrant and self-sustaining Jewish community.
- Work with the community-at-large to ensure the Calgary Jewish community has a voice in important civic matters.
- Lead key advocacy matters with support from Community Relations Committee and serve as an effective spokesperson responding to issues in Calgary and the Jewish world.
- Continue to drive key education initiatives including CJF’s robust Holocaust Education and Human Rights department, PJ Library and PJ Our Way®, Inclusion, and more.
Administrative
- Provide the necessary financial oversight and work with the Board of Directors to develop, monitor, and execute annual budgets.
- Attend meetings of the Board of Directors and committees of the organization as required.
- Oversee all governance activities pertaining to CJF.
Key Qualifications
The ideal candidate will bring the following skills and experiences:
- Relevant experience in a senior strategic leadership position in either a for-profit or not-for-profit organization.
- A track record of developing and implementing programs within and for a community that educate, involve, and inspire.
- Appreciation of and commitment to Israel and Jewish values; comfortable advocating on related issues.
- Government relations experience in terms of funding as well as experience in working with advocating key leaders at all levels on major issues including antisemitism, Jewish and Holocaust education, infrastructure support, security and safety, and more.
- Experience with fundraising and major gift cultivation and solicitation, as a professional or lay leader (equal to or greater than $2 million in development on a regularly occurring annual basis).
- Experience with legacy giving and bequests.
- Strong strategic planning skills and the ability to work effectively with a Board of Directors constituted under a modern governance structure and mandate.
- Experience leading and developing a professional team while developing trust with volunteers, donors, and the community at large.
- Strong communication skills. An articulate leader who can think quickly on their feet, capable of being the primary spokesperson for CJF.
- Financial acumen. The ability to read and analyze a budget sheet and cash flow statements as well as manage accounting staff.
- The ability to network and collaborate with national liaisons to exchange best practices.
- Responsiveness and the ability to triage instances of antisemitism and security risks.
- Skilled at establishing relationships with the broader Calgary community.
- Familiarity with Jewish traditions and holidays and awareness of diversity in Jewish practice and customs
Core Competencies for Success
- Relationship Building: Devotes appropriate time and energy to establishing and maintaining networks, and utilize relationship to facilitate objectives.
- Drive/Energy: Exhibits passion about role and has the stamina and endurance to handle workloads. Productive in a fast-paced environment while still maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
- Positive Impact: Demonstrates a consistent positive, constructive, can-do attitude.
- Focuses on Results: Commitment to setting and achieving and/or exceeding individual, team, or community goals.
- Problem Solving and Decision Making: Ability to identify problems, solve them, act decisively, and show good judgement.
- Communicates Effectively: Exceptional written and oral communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels in the organization.
Calgary
Calgary is known as Canada’s economic powerhouse. The city of 1.3 million people boasts a diverse population due to the economic opportunities and lifestyle that it offers. In addition to having one of the most dynamic economies in North America, Calgary is also a setting of majestic beauty and offers an unparalleled quality of life compared with other metropolitan regions of similar size. In 2023, The Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Calgary in the top 10 of the world’s most liveable cities. Calgary is unique due to its low sales taxes, work opportunities, proximity to the Rockies and being rated the cleanest city in the world!
Contact
Interested applicants may explore this opportunity in confidence by forwarding your resume and cover letter to president@jewishcalgary.org no later than June 15, 2024.
Features
Skipping breakfast: Does it help you lose weight or is it bad for your health?
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Breakfast is known to be an important meal – and yet many people leave the house without it. But what are the consequences for your health if you skip breakfast?
Whether it’s because of time pressure, to lose weight or because you’re not hungry yet – many people skip breakfast in the morning. There are different opinions. But to really have full energy for your next round at Betamo casino Canada you better not skip this very important meal.
Skipping breakfast: A good idea to lose weight?
Skipping breakfast is a common weight loss tip. Provided that you save the calories for breakfast and don’t eat them with another meal. This assessment is supported by studies:
A meta-analysis from 2023 found a significant correlation between skipping breakfast and a reduction in body weight.
A study from 2020 shows similar results: Skipping breakfast had a slightly positive effect on weight loss.
Another analysis from 2019 also shows that the study participants who skipped breakfast had a small – but significant – weight reduction of just under half a kilo.
However, these studies only show slight effects on weight and appetite. What’s more, some of the scientists also point to negative effects.
Skipping breakfast: What speaks against it
There are many voices that clearly speak out against skipping breakfast. For example, Anja Bosy-Westphal, President of the German Society for Nutritional Medicine, told Zeit magazine that skipping breakfast does not help to maintain lost weight in the long term. “People who skip breakfast for a long time are more likely to be overweight,” explains the expert. The effect persists even if other unhealthy habits are ruled out as the cause.
Skipping breakfast increases the risk of diabetes and obesity
In order to maintain your weight and eat healthily, you should therefore eat breakfast. Bosy-Westphal goes on to explain that glucose and energy metabolism work less efficiently in the morning. “If I eat the same meal once for breakfast and once for dinner, the blood sugar level rises less in the morning.” On the other hand, more calories are burned immediately after eating.
In the evening, the effect is reversed and we store more energy. The expert is generally in favor of never skipping a main meal. However, if someone “absolutely” wants to do this, for example because they are intermittent fasting, she says it should ideally be the evening meal.
Eating breakfast regularly has a positive effect on blood sugar levels and prevents diabetes. Conversely, according to Bosy-Westphal: “The more often you skip breakfast, the higher the risk of developing diabetes”. This is because eating early in the day helps the body to adjust the metabolism correctly and reduces the risk of obesity and metabolic diseases.
Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
Another negative effect associated with skipping breakfast is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. A study from 2023 shows: A late first meal of the day (for example, by skipping breakfast) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Every hour later (9 a.m. instead of 8 a.m.) increased the risk by 6 percent.
Skipping breakfast to lose weight: A good idea?
Whether skipping breakfast really helps you lose weight is controversial – some experts even suspect the opposite. At the same time, the scientists point out that breakfast is not the only thing that matters. This is because the participants who ate late drank more alcohol, went to bed later and ate more irregularly compared to those who ate early.
Skip breakfast: This is the recommendation of the DGE
The overall study situation is not clear. The results are partly limited by methodological weaknesses such as small study sizes and the fact that physical activity was not recorded. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) therefore does not currently give a clear recommendation as to whether skipping breakfast helps with weight loss or not:
At present, no scientifically validated statement can be made regarding the relationship between meal frequency and body weight regulation in healthy adults, so the German Nutrition Society (DGE) makes no recommendation in this regard. The energy balance is decisive for the development of body weight.
Features
How often you should cycle per week to get fit
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Cycling is an excellent way to get or stay fit. But how often, how long and how intensively should you cycle to achieve this?
What does it actually mean to be fit? The word “fit” means nothing more than “suitable”. However, we generally understand “fit” as a certain level of training that is not only healthy, but also makes many everyday things easier for us – for example, just catching a streetcar or playing tag with the children. Last but not least, basic fitness can be a basis for more ambitious training or sporting goals (a long bike ride, a 10-kilometer run or similar).
Cycling is basically a very good way to get or stay fit, as it trains our endurance and most major muscle groups, is easy on the joints and, in terms of intensity, is easy to control. Numerous studies also show that cycling is healthy and a good option for building up fitness. But who should cycle how often and for how long is very individual and depends above all on the current state of training and health. So you will be calm after and can focus completely on National Casino.
This is how often and how fast beginners should (be able to) cycle
Let’s assume that you want to do something for your fitness again after a long break from sport. The best way to start is to take stock: grab your bike and go for a ride to see how long you can keep going and at what pace. If you haven’t exercised for a very long time or have never done so regularly and/or suffer from pre-existing conditions, you should check with your doctor beforehand whether and how much strain you can put on your cardiovascular system.
After taking stock, you should start training slowly. In the beginning, it is enough for beginners to cycle on flat terrain for 20 to 30 minutes about three times a week.
Now for the right intensity and the right pace: For (re)beginners, the following applies: If you still have just enough air to keep yourself entertained while riding, then you’re on the right track. If you want, you can of course also train with a heart rate monitor, where the target heart rate for most people is around 120 to 130 beats per minute. However, as the exercise heart rate is very individual and depends on many factors such as age, training condition, etc., intensity control via the “conversation test” works at least as well.
If you are riding on flat terrain, you will probably reach a speed of around 18 to 20 kilometers per hour in calm conditions.
Building fitness means building new habits
This training area is called the foundation area, by the way, and this is precisely your most important goal: laying a solid foundation for your fitness. Continuity is crucial, especially at the beginning – so really try to cycle three times a week – even if it’s only 15 minutes, that’s still better than not cycling at all. This will help you get into a steady rhythm and each time you cycle it will be easier for you to get going.
According to studies, it can take up to three months for new habits to become so integrated into your life that you find them as easy as brushing your teeth – so keep at it!
If you then have no problem sticking to the basics for around 30 to 40 minutes three to four times a week, you will have built up a solid base level of fitness. This will also help you achieve the WHO’s recommended exercise target of at least 150 minutes of exercise per week. Once you have reached this basic level of fitness, you can of course always increase your training, depending on your goals.
Combining cycling with strength training
Cycling is very good endurance training. However, it is also important for our health and fitness to train our strength. Otherwise, as we get older, we lose muscle mass, which can lead to back pain and the like, but also promotes weight gain – because muscles use energy and therefore calories even at rest. Strength training also improves your performance on the bike.
All it takes is 10 to 15 minutes two to three times a week. And you don’t have to go to the gym or buy any equipment. Classic exercises such as push-ups or squats are very effective and anyone can easily do them at home.
Tip: There are many practical apps with short workouts that strengthen the entire body, for example the free app Seven – 7 Minute Workout (for Apple or Android devices). It gives you suggestions for exercises and – especially important for beginners – shows you the correct exercises to do.
Features
Sleepmaxxing: Sleep better with these tips
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Sleepmaxxing is trending on social media: targeted tricks and habits are designed to make your sleep as restful as possible. We explain what the hype is really about.
If you’re active on social media, you’ve probably heard the term “sleepmaxxing”. At the end of 2024, this tag already had 98.6 million posts on TikTok. This term, which literally means “maximizing sleep”, i.e. “getting the most out of your sleep”, is all about getting the perfect night’s sleep. From an optimized sleeping environment to the ideal evening routine, nothing is left to chance with Sleepmaxxing – all for the purpose of perfect nightly rest for your next round of TonyBet Canada.
Sleepmaxxing – what really works?
As is so often the case with health tips on social media, the Sleepmaxxing methods should also be taken with a grain of salt. Most of the popular tips for better sleep are not scientifically proven and will definitely not be the panacea they are promoted as on TikTok and the like.
However, some behaviors can actually help you improve your sleep quality or fall asleep faster. Here are some tips that can help you sleep better.
1. evening routine for better sleep
Fixed bedtimes and other rituals can benefit the quality of your sleep. Regular rituals help your body to adjust better to sleep. You can try out these methods, for example:
- Fixed bedtimes: If possible, go to bed at the same time every day and get up at the same time – even at the weekend. This stabilizes your sleep rhythm and the hormone balance that controls your tiredness.
- Avoid screens in the evening: The blue light from cell phones, laptops and televisions inhibits the production of the sleep hormone melatonin. Put your cell phone away at least an hour before going to bed and try using blue light filters if you like.
- Relaxation rituals: Reading, meditation or a warm shower can help you to calm down more quickly.
- Sleeping tea instead of caffeine: Avoid coffee or energy drinks in the evening. Instead, opt for herbal teas with valerian or lavender.
2. create the ideal sleeping environment
Your sleeping environment can have a major impact on the quality of your sleep. Your environment has a big impact on the quality of your sleep. With a few adjustments, you can significantly improve the conditions for restful sleep:
- Darkness: Sources of light at night disturb your internal clock. Darken your bedroom as much as possible or use a sleep mask.
- Quiet: Noise can interrupt your sleep. Earplugs or a white noise app can help combat noise.
- Cool temperature: The optimum sleeping temperature is between 16 and 19 degrees Celsius. You should briefly air your bedroom twice before going to bed.
- Comfortable mattress and pillow: A sagging mattress or the wrong pillow can massively affect your quality of sleep. Make sure your back and neck are well supported and find the right type of mattress for you.
3. diet and exercise for better sleep
Those who live healthily also sleep better: diet and exercise can influence your sleep. Diet and exercise also have a major influence on your sleep. The following tips can contribute to a healthier sleep:
- No heavy food before sleep: fatty or highly seasoned foods can put a strain on your digestion and disrupt your sleep.
- No alcohol to help you sleep: Although alcohol makes you tired, it worsens the quality of your sleep and makes for restless nights.
- Regular exercise: Exercising helps you to sleep better – but intensive training directly before bedtime can keep you awake. It’s therefore better to schedule your workout for the morning or afternoon.
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