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 Directors
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.
Darren Morenstein
Darren has been a part of summer camp
programs for almost twenty years, four of them being at CBB of
Ottawa during the 1990's. Darren has held positions as Head of
A-boys, Judaica Head and Program Supervisor. For the last ten
summers, Darren has been a successful tour director and supervisor
with the teen tour program, Westcoast Connections and 360
Travel.
Darren is currently teacher at Hillel Academy in Ottawa. Prior to
this, he was a high school educator in Montreal's Lester B. Pearson
School. Darren and his wife, Dr. Lindsay Borovay, met each other
during their time at CBB of Ottawa. Lindsay is an Ottawa native who
practices Child Psychology. In 2010 Darren and Lindsay introduced
their first child, Emmit to CBB of Ottawa. All three are extremely
excited to go back to CBB of Ottawa and help the camp continue to
be a wonderful place where children have an opportunity to create
some of their greatest memories.
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".