Women in Politics
Get notified when applications open in 2024.
Applications are open!
Overview
CJPAC’s Women in Politics Mentorship Program is designed to support and train Jewish women, 21+, who want to engage at high levels in the political process, either by running for office (at any level of government) or by working in a high-level political staff role. Despite making progress in recent years, women still represent only approximately one-third of all legislators in Canada.
The Women in Politics program aims to help Jewish women overcome some of the systemic barriers that have traditionally held women back in politics. Our goal is to help women from across the political spectrum create a network of support that will help them advance and persevere.
The Women in Politics Mentorship Program:
- Provides mentees with training on how to achieve these goals
- Helps Jewish women build a network and meet mentors from across the political spectrum
- Provides mentors with the opportunity to help to shape the next generation of Canadian political leaders by sharing their insight and experience
- Builds greater capacity for women to become involved in the political process
Our next cohort begins in January, 2024. If you’re interested in learning more and being notified when registration opens, sign-up here.
FAQ
Mentees and mentors go through an application process as well as an interview with the steering committee & CJPAC staff members. Once complete, the steering committee & CJPAC staff meet to make matches.
- Attend a launch event* with all mentors and mentees
- Meet* with your mentee 3-4 times throughout the program (meetings can include a tour or visit to your workplace*, coffee meetings*, events* or other opportunities to have meaningful conversation)
- Attend a wrap-up/celebration event* at the end of the program
Mentors are encouraged to attend other optional activities to be confirmed at a later date. Past events have included:
- A panel event* with political guest speakers
- A dinner with a special guest*
- Other CJPAC Women in Politics programming
*Due to COVID-19 we will be running our national meetings and programming virtually. Mentee/mentor pairings are welcome to have 1:1 in-person meetings based on participants’ comfort levels and regional public health orders.
- Coordinating logistics for one-on-one meetings* with their mentor, and developing and circulating an agenda prior to each meeting. This will enable the mentor to properly prepare for the meeting. The CJPAC Women in Politics Steering Committee is available to assist with this.
- Attending events* as part of the program, to be confirmed at a later date. Past events have included:
- A launch event* with all mentors and mentees
- Meet* with your mentor 3-4 times throughout the program
- Attend a wrap-up/celebration event* at the end of the program
- Attend 2-3 other events* throughout the year that may include a panel event with political guest speakers, a dinner with a special guest, and/or a skill building workshop
- Get involved in other CJPAC programming or committees
There are 6-7 national sessions.
We recommend that mentees/mentors meet at minimum 4 times throughout the programming year. The more the merrier, though!
This program has no cost.
The time commitment is about 90 minutes/month for national programs, as well as any 1:1 conversations, meetings, etc arranged between mentees/mentors.
Sessions vary year to year, but have included things like: Personal Branding & Digital Communications, Jewish Elected Officials Panel, Elections Through Covid, Opportunities in Gov’t, etc.
Mentees: Jewish Women who are interested in expanding their political knowledge, getting involved in their communities, and being part of a network of women supporting women!
Mentors: Jewish Women who are interested in teaching and guiding other Jewish women in the political sphere, and creating and being a part of a network of women supporting women!
Committee Chairs
Vancouver BC
Toronto ON
Call for Stories
If you’re a past or present participant of the Women in Politics program, we’d love to hear about your experiences.
