As our community continues to evolve, changes bring both new opportunities and different kinds of community needs than in the past. Nearly half of the local Jewish population lives outside Vancouver, and many of them are families with young children. Our Connect Me In outreach initiative is engaging Jews living in the regional communities, delivering dynamic results with more flexible, innovative partnerships and programs than ever before.
Engaging Young Families with Children on the North Shore
The North Shore Jewish community is flourishing. Community members, young families and their children are bonding more than ever thanks to two programs happening each month. The first program, the North Shore Shabbat Group, brings dozens of community members living on the North Shore to enjoy a festive Shabbat dinner. The second program is Jewish Toddler Circle Time. For the past four months, parents have brought their toddler-aged children to Teahaus Treehaus for fun, Jewish inspired activities. While the toddlers enjoy the activities, parents also get to spend time getting to know each other. Jewish Toddler Circle Time continues this winter, and you can register ahead for January and February on the Connect Me In Facebook events page.
Diversifying Jewish Education Options in Langley and the Tri-Cities
Connect Me In is growing new relationships between diverse Vancouver-based and regional Jewish organizations. Jewish education options in Langley and the Tri-Cities exemplify the benefits of this approach for families. By working with Aleph in the Tri-Cities, Chabad Lubavitch BC, the Burquest Community Association and BC Regional Hebrew Schools, Connect Me In has played an important role supporting Hebrew schools in Coquitlam and Langley. Every other week, 35 youth in Coquitlam and 15 in Langley attend Hebrew school, which includes Hebrew language instruction, Jewish education and holiday events. Their Shofar factory at Sukkot is a great example of the innovative approach educators are taking. With a case full of ram horns, a drill press, dremel tool and belt sanders, kids and parents got hands-on experience making their own shofars.
Stay Connected
From Squamish to Langley, Connect Me In operates wherever you are.
Like Connect Me In on Facebook for updates, check the community calendar for events near you, or email our community outreach workers Hannah Yerington (North Shore, Squamish, and Whistler) and Adam Bendov (Langley, Tri-Cities, Burnaby, New Westminster, Maple Ridge and the Fraser Valley) with the ideas you have for your community.
Upcoming Events
These events are a mix of Connect Me In events and those organized by our partners with support from Connect Me In.
Squamish
- Squamish Hanukkah Prep Party
Saturday, December 14, 2019 | 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Aligned Collective | 201-38085 2nd Avenue
North Shore
- Jewish Toddler Circle Time
Sunday, December 1, 2019 | 3:00 p.m.
Teahaus Treehaus - All-ages Har El Hanukkah Party
Sunday, December 15, 2019 | 11:30 a.m.
Har El - North Shore Shabbat Group with Har El and Or Shalom
Hanukkah Potluck
Saturday, December 28, 2019 | 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Great Hall - Kiwanis Housing
White Rock/South Surrey
- WRSS Hebrew School Hanukkah Pot Luck with WRSSJCC
Sunday, December 15, 2019 | 12:00-2:00 p.m.
WRSSJCC
Langley
- Build Your Own Menorah feat. Monica Schwartzman
Sunday, December 15, 2019 | 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Fort Langley Lion's Hall
Tri-Cities
- Build Your Own Menorah with Olive Press and Dinner (with PJ Library)
Sunday, December 15, 2019 | 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Burquest JCC - Aleph in the Tri-Cities Hanukkah Potluck Party with Curling and Menorah Lighting
Saturday, December 28, 2019 | 6:00 p.m.
Port Moody Recreation Complex
For all ages