Directors
CAMP DIRECTOR
Dov “Bear” Shapiro:
Dov brings with him a wealth of Jewish Summer camp experience and has dedicated his entire career to helping support children of all ages through the power of camp. Over the past 35 years, he has created endless impact (and memories) as a consultant with CBB of Montreal, as Director and Owner of Camp Chateaugay in New York and as a director with Mad Science, and Westcoast Connection.
His love of camp started, well, as a camper! Throughout his youth and early adulthood, camps like Pine Valley and Massad in the Laurentians left an indelible mark on who he is and on his Jewish identity.
In addition, he is the founder and Chair of SEL360, a Montreal not-for-profit designed to support adolescents and families who struggle with mental health.
Dov will be working closely with our incredible camp leadership team to help make summer 2023 the best ever! A special call out and thank you to Justin, Jill and Marnie who, as always, continue to do an extraordinary job! We feel so fortunate to have such a well-rounded and dedicated team to support and inspire our children and staff!
Associate Director
Jill Doctor
Jill was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, spending her summers at camp in Algonquin Park. This is where her passion for summer camp exploded and helped shape her to be the woman she is today. After graduating from McGill University with a Bachelor of Education, Jill enjoyed being a director of a teen tour for Westcoast Connections and then went travelling in Australia. After meeting her husband in New Zealand, she spent the next 5 years living there, working as a facilitator at an outdoor education centre for school groups as well as corporate team building manager. Upon returning home, she continued her love of working with teens as Director of BBYO (Montreal), only to move to Ottawa with her family in 2010, where she joined the awesome team at Ganon Preschool as an early childcare teacher. Jill spent 8 years helping the family business, Green Rebel, in the office as Catering Manager, however there was nothing more exciting for her than getting back to her true passion of summer camp.
Assistant Director(s)
Marnie Gontovnick:
Assistant Director of Operations & Alumni Development
Marnie is thrilled to be a part of the CBB of Ottawa family. CBB of Ottawa was her home for 13 summers from when she was an A-Girl in 2002 to Supervisor of the Waterski and Wakeboard Program in 2014. In 2015, Marnie transitioned into a new role with Westcoast Connections; she lead and directed 3 trips in North America and Europe for a group of 50+ teenagers. Following her graduation from Brock University, Marnie packed her bags and traveled to over 30 countries, an experience she’ll never forget, and one that led to her starting a new venture in 2017; she founded a Group Travel Service for Remote Workers.
Marnie is extremely excited to continue her CBB career as the Assistant Director of Operations & Alumni Development. Over the past few years, Marnie has reconnected with camp alumni and has found innovative ways to engage them through social media and in-person reunions and events. She continues to look for new and unique ways to improve relationships with alumni and plans to implement fun and engaging events. Her goal is to bring alumni back to their roots and help remind them of their amazing and life-changing summers at CBB of Ottawa. She is excited to facilitate the reunion of old friends, and to provide the space for them to reminisce and relive those faded, yet unforgettable memories.
Justin Shulman:
Assistant Director of Camper Care
Justin Shulman is thrilled to be working alongside a fantastic team to bring our community the best summer camp experience for our campers and staff.
Justin Shulman is the proud principal of Knoxdale Public School, within the Ottawa Carleton District School Board. Throughout the school year, Justin’s primary focus is the education, well-being, and growth of all his students and staff. His leadership style is characterized by warmth, humour, and authentic relationships.
The foundation of Justin’s current leadership skills were undoubtedly built at CBB Ottawa. From camper to CIT, staff to supervisor, Justin’s personal and professional progress were positively shaped by his experiences within the gates of 7861 chemin River. Some of Justin’s fondest memories include leading numerous canoe trips as supervisor of the tripping program.
Justin returned to CBBO as Assistant Director in 2008, a role he has mostly continued for over 10 years (with a short break to be with his young family). Justin is extremely excited to take on the new challenge of Interim Director this school year and throughout the summer 2023. He is looking forward to another successful summer and feels fortunate to be able to share this experience of a lifetime with his wife Jess, their two children, and their dog, Clover.
Justin believes that CBB Ottawa is a place where all campers have the opportunity to take amazing risks, grow, and to create true friendships that last a lifetime.
Program Director
Tommy Friedlich
Tommy is very excited to be back at camp for his 15th summer! As the Program Director, Tommy will oversee all things programming from daily activities to special events. Formerly the Head of Waterfront and Assistant Program Director at CBB, Tommy is looking forward to returning to camp after a couple of summers off to take on a new role. Some of Tommy’s best memories are from his time at camp, particularly working on the beach and special event programming. He is elated to be able to come back and help build those memories for the next generation! Professionally, Tommy has a degree in Chemical Engineering from Queen’s University and a J.D. from the University of Ottawa. When not at camp, Tommy works at a corporate law firm in Toronto where he is currently finishing his articles. Tommy will be travelling before and after camp during his summer off before continuing his legal career as an associate. He is thrilled to get to spend one more summer at CBB!
Past Directors
Cindy Presser Benedek
Cindy’s dream has always been to return to the place where her passion for working with children was seeded – CBB of Ottawa! Cindy attended CBB of Ottawa from 1982-1994.
Cindy has built a career working with children at all levels of Jewish education. Cindy graduated from York University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and certification in Early Childhood Education. She launched her teaching career at The Children’s Place in Ottawa, a not-for-profit childcare organization, serving children from infants through school age and as a kindergarten classroom teacher, before quickly moving into the role of Program Supervisor. She also administrated the Summer Program for children ages 5-12, planning the curriculum, training and supervising staff.
When Cindy’s husband, Joey, was recruited to Microsoft in Seattle, Washington, she served as the Assistant Head of School at The Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle, managing the Preschool and Admissions. Cindy thrived in this role, where she was responsible for the children’s academic, social and emotional development as well as the school’s operations. When Cindy and her family moved back to Canada 7 years ago, Cindy accepted the role of Director of Communications at The Leo Baeck Day School in Toronto where she has been responsible for all marketing, advertising and community communications.
For the past 10 years, Cindy worked full-time for Camp B’nai Brith of Ottawa!
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 60s 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.
Jon remains involved with CBB, including capital renewal projects, disposal and acquisition of major equipment, alumni engagement and special projects.