Camp Director
Jonathan Pivnick
Jonathan Pivnick returned to Camp B'nai Brith of Ottawa as Director in 2008 continuing a camp career that has spanned the period from the late 60's to the 21st century at CBB of Ottawa. Piv's background and experience are helping CBB of Ottawa continue to move forward, building upon the camp's strengths and traditions.
Jonathan has worked with children, adolescents and the community his entire adult life. He has taught, mentored and been an administrator in education, sports and camping.
With a degree in mathematics and education, both from Queen's University, and qualifications in special education and guidance, Piv enjoyed a most rewarding career in the teaching profession. He spent 31 years serving the Ottawa community as a teacher at Sir Robert Borden High School and a longtime coach on the local hockey and lacrosse scene before retiring in 2008. During that time, he coached many high school sports including hockey, wrestling, baseball, and lacrosse. Piv was a math teacher for 27 years and spent his final four years in the guidance department where he assisted students with the many issues that they deal with in their daily lives.
Jonathan enjoys working with children and believes that going to camp provides an excellent opportunity for campers and staff alike to partake in new experiences and meet new people in a Jewish environment. Piv has seen first hand how the camp experience helps to develop an individual's confidence and independence, lifelong friendships, and a strong commitment to the Jewish Community.
The Pivnicks are all alumni of CBB of Ottawa. Jonathan met his wife Heidi (Portigal) at camp while she worked on the horseback riding program. Heidi continues to pursue her passion in art as a rug artist, teacher and mentor. Their children, Lindsey, David and Rebecca were first at CBB of Ottawa as the children of the director ages 7, 5 and 3 back in 1988. Both David and Rebecca have held Head Staff positions in recent years.
Assistant Director
Justin Shulman
Justin's first year at CBB of Ottawa was in 1987 as a first year junior boy. He stayed at camp every summer until 2001. Some of Justin's fondest memories include taking many trips out of camp to various parts of the region as a staff and supervisor of the tripping program. Camp has always been an important part of his life. His fabulous wife Jessica attended CBB of Ottawa for a couple of years as a camper and is looking forward to spending time at camp this summer.
Justin is a teacher in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and is currently teaching grades 4 and 5. He has specialized in special education and has taught a systems class in the board which supports difficult and extreme behaviour. Justin has served on the executive and has been the vice-president of the Council for Exceptional Children in our local chapter. Justin believes that CBB of Ottawa is place where all campers have the opportunity to take amazing risks, grow, and create true friendships that last a lifetime.
Program Director
Jonathan Sherman
Jonathan has been attending Camp B’nai Brith of Ottawa since 1999. He was born and raised in Ottawa, and this will be his 14th consecutive summer at CBB. Jonathan is extremely excited about his new role at camp this year. He has spent the previous two summers as Head of Waterfront and is looking forward to a new challenge.
Jonathan graduated McGill University with a Bachelor of Commerce. After spending four years in Montreal, he is now living in Toronto and attending law school at Osgoode Hall, as he eagerly awaits the start of the 2012 summer. Jonathan believes that summer camp provides children a chance to experience new opportunities and to develop lifelong friendships. He hopes to provide every camper with an unforgettable experience and memories that will last a lifetime.
Camp Mom
Heidi Pivnick
Heidi has been a long time CBB of Ottawa person since her arrival as a senior girl. Having held positions as a counselor, canoe-tripper, horseback riding instructor and Head of Horseback riding, she eventually met Jonathan at CBB of Ottawa and they married in 1978. The Pivnicks have three children: Lindsey, David and Rebecca, who have all been involved in camping.
Heidi has a passion and a creative flair for the arts: sewing, quilting, needle work, rug hooking and fashion design. She has opened up The Pivnick home at camp to children who might be having a difficult time adjusting to the new experience and require a little more TLC. Everyone finds comfort in knowing that "she's there" and she's ready to take care of them should they need a more motherly touch.
Many campers come to Heidi to share her enthusiasm for her artistic interests but more importantly campers have enjoyed being able to: come and sew, do puzzles, play board games or just sit down and talk to "The Camp Mom".