February 1 2023 | 10 Shevat 5783
Jewish Community Affordability Summit - March 2, 2023
Recognizing the impact that affordability and access have on community sustainability, Jewish Federation brought together community partners to host the first Jewish Community Affordability Summit in 2018 where we identified best practices and innovative approaches to address affordability in housing, food security, childcare and day school education. The immediate outcome was the establishment of the Food Security Task Force jointly led by Jewish Federation and Jewish Family Services, which has now resulted in the successful opening of The Kitchen last year.
Following the success of the first summit, we are pleased to present in collaboration with a growing group of community partners, the second Jewish Community Affordability Summit which will focus on child and youth poverty in our community.
This will be an opportunity for us to explore the social, emotional, physical, and educational experiences of children and youth growing up in low-income families through a Jewish lens. We will hear from experts in the field including Adrienne Montani, executive director of First Call BC and Izzy Waxman, executive director of Mazon Canada, as well as folks with lived experience.
Together, we will identify gaps, best practices and potential new resources directed toward children and youth.
Jewish Community Affordability Summit
March 2, 2023 I 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
JCC - 950 W. 41st Ave
Young Adults Swap for Sustainability
We are committed to engaging young adults in ways that are meaningful to them and taking steps to address the climate emergency is one that resonates with many.
On January 26th, our young adult program Axis, the Ben Gurion Society (BGS is our national recognition program for young donors to the Federation Annual Campaign), and National Council of Jewish Women-Vancouver Chapter teamed up to shine a light on the topic of sustainable fashion for young adults in our community.
Over 50 young adults brought gently used clothing items as their entrance fee to a clothing swap including one item that was donated to the Dress for Success program. Sophia Yang, founder and executive director of Threading Change, gave a powerful presentation on the impact that the fashion industry has on climate change and the inequities felt by the majority of workers in the industry. And they picked out new outfits sustainably.
We are #Fedproud to see the young adult community participating in more sustainable efforts. Click here to see more photos from the event.
Jewish Federation is committed to making Jewish life and community accessible to people all across British Columbia. Our community engagement team, through our Connect Me In program, works closely with Jewish organizations across the province to help foster thriving Jewish communities where they are at. This month, we are proud to be supporting Tu B’Shvat celebrations from Squamish to Langley.
Vancouver - Sustainable Shabbat for Tu B’Shvat
Join Schara Tzedeck for a Sustainable Shabbat dinner for Tu B'Shvat and panel discussion on Jewish environmental values.
Friday, February 3, 2023 I 6:15 p.m.
Schara Tzedeck Synagogue I 3476 Oak St. I $15-$36
Register: https://scharatzedeck.shulcloud.com/form/tubshvat2023.html
Richmond - Tu B’Shvat at RJDS
PJ Library, Richmond Jewish Day School, the Bayit and JNF Canada present a free family fun Tu B’Shvat celebration! Learn about the holiday through a scavenger hunt, bless the food with a seder, and enjoy making crafts.
Sunday, February 5, 2023 I 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Richmond Jewish Day School I 8760 No. 5 Road
Register: bit.ly/tubshvatPJ
Langley – Tu B’Shvat at the Nursery!
Calling all Surrey/Langley Jewish community members - Join Kulam Ba Valley and Connect Me In for some family-fun pot decorating and gardening this Sunday in celebration of Tu B’Shvat.
Sunday, February 5, 2023 I 10:00 a.m.
Arts Nursery | 8940 192 St, Surrey I $15/child
Register: https://www.jewishvancouver.com/tu-bishvat-nursery
Burquest - Tu B’Shvat Seder
Join the Burquest Jewish Community for a Seder where you will taste the different fruits and learn about the holiday traditions. There will also be children’s crafts about the environment, music and more!
Sunday, February 5, 2023 I 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
2860 Dewdney Trunk Rd, Coquitlam I $7/person
Register: https://www.burquest.org/event-details/tu-bsvhat-seder
Tu B’Shvat in Squamish
Connect Me In is proud to partner with JNF Canada and the BC Hebrew Schools Association to bring Tu B’Shvat to Squamish! Join us for nature crafts, kosher food & drink, Shivat Hamanim tasting & more.
Monday, February 6, 2023 I 5:15 – 6:00 p.m.
Brennan Park Community Centre I 1009 Centennial Way
Registration is not required.
#ICYMI Roadburg Family Announces $36M Matching Challenge for JWest
On January 17th, we were thrilled to share that the Roadburg family foundations, the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation and the Al Roadburg Foundation, announced a $36 million matching challenge for JWest. They have partnered to inspire others to give so that together – the foundations and individual donors whose gifts match the challenge—can maximize their impact. Their support is also a meaningful way to create a new facet of the Roadburg family’s legacy. Once the challenge is fulfilled, the Roadburg family’s gift will mark the biggest donation to the JWest project.
The JWest project is an opportunity for our community to help address many of the pressing issues being felt across the Lower Mainland, from the housing and affordability crisis to the high demand for expanded daycare and senior services. This is an investment for the future of our community and the region as a whole.
“We’re immensely grateful to the Roadburg family for issuing this challenge. When we’ve fulfilled the challenge, it will represent a profound investment in the Jewish community and the community at large.” said Alex Cristall, JWest Capital Campaign Chair.
Schara Tzedeck plans for long-term stability with the Jewish Community Foundation
Through an institutional endowment with the Jewish Community Foundation, communal leaders can look forward to a strong and long-lasting community.
Schara Tzedeck has been the bedrock of the Vancouver Orthodox Jewish community since the early 1900s. To ensure its legacy, Schara Tzedeck has partnered with the Jewish Community Foundation to help build, grow, and nurture the shul so that it can continue to be a source of strength and stability.
Creating an institutional endowment fund, like the one established by Schara Tzedeck, enables charitable organizations to create a source of continuous, long-term funding to support their important work. Schara Tzedeck’s endowment fund demonstrates that a strong vision for the future goes beyond keeping the lights on today. It means supporting strong rabbinic and lay leadership, maintaining and improving a beautiful shul building, and continuing to provide resources to explore and embrace Torah and Jewish life.
This fund will provide Schara Tzedeck with ongoing, stable, financial resources to enable them to continue to meet the needs of their diverse membership from across the spectrum of observance and engage in partnerships to strengthen the broader community. We know from our history that the preservation of Jewish life is both fragile and of utmost importance. The planning undertaken by Schara Tzedeck, in partnership with the Jewish Community Foundation ensures a strong future.
“Having the foresight to plan for the future ensures that our shul will continue to play a vital role for generations to come. This partnership with the Jewish Community Foundation is a result of strategic planning and due diligence and gives me confidence that our legacy will live on.” Dr. Jonathon Leipsic, President, Schara Tzedeck.
If you’re interested in establishing a fund for an organization you’re involved with or an area of need you care about, please contact Marcie Flom, executive director, at 604.257.5100.
Our advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is hosting an online townhall to gain invaluable insight into the new Israeli coalition governement and its priorities - and what they mean for the Jewish community in Canada.
Yaron Deckel, Senior Emissary of the Jewish Agency for Israel, will moderate the conversation between expert panelists Mark Regev, Chair of the Abba Eban Institute at Reichman University, and Dr. Einat Wilf, author and former Israeli politician.
Thursday, February 9, 2023 I 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
via Zoom
Questions about the relationship between religion and state in Israel have been debated for decades. Some members of the new Israeli government are determined to make changes to the current status and this is reflected in coalition agreements.
Join Jewish Federations of North America to explore the changes that may be made and the potential consequences of such moves.
Thursday, February 9, 2023 I 10:00 a.m.
via Zoom
Join our partner Congregation Beth Israel in celebrating Israel's 75th birthday with a special movie screening of “The Future of Israel and its Defenders” , followed by a Q & A with film producer, Avi Abraham Benlolo.
Monday, February 13, 2023 I 7:00 p.m.
Dessert buffet to follow.
Register: www.bethisrael.ca
