Hi and welcome to my blog! I wanted to use my first entry as an opportunity to introduce myself and tell you about what I have been up to since mid-July, as well as tell you what I am looking forward to doing this year.

My name is Elana and I am the UJS Northern Development Officer, working with J-Socs and Jewish students on campuses in the North-East of England and Scotland (with a bit of Dublin, Ireland thrown in for good measure). My role is to work with committees and students to give guidance and support, as well as provide educational and development opportunities. I am always just a phone call or email away. 

I hail from Ottawa, Canada, the nation's capital! I recently graduated from Carleton University with a degree in Political Science and International Relations. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to do a semester abroad at the University of Leeds in 2008, where I had my introduction to UK Jewish student life. Things in the UK are different than what I am used to in Canada, but I made some very good friends, liked living here and wanted to come back!

I am really excited to be working for UJS (some Canadian enthusiasm shining through) and I hope to connect with as many students as possible on my campuses. You will see me in Leeds (where I am based this year), Sheffield, York, Hull, Durham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Andrews, Aberdeen and Dublin.

Since mid-July, we have been a very busy tzevet (team). Three weeks of training followed by lots and lots and lots of planning and preparation has us ready to get on to our campuses. We were lucky enough to go to Israel as part of our training and we have tons of ideas to make this year great.

I am most looking forward to our many projects this year in Social Action and informal education. My fellow NDO's and I will be travelling the country running Lunch n' Learns, attending Shabbat dinners, organising committee and regional retreats, facilitating speakers, coordinating volunteer opportunities and anything else you want us to do for you!

In my spare time, I love to sing, bake, cook, clean, do laundry, read, travel, shop and spend time with my boyfriend, friends and family. I also love museums and seeing new things, so please take me around your cities and show me the sights!

Hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and I am looking forward to meeting all of you on campus this year. Please feel free to give me a call on 07976 751 413 or an email to elana@ujs.org.uk for any questions/comments/concerns/compliments etc.

Elana x