July 20, 2022 | 21 Tamuz 5782
Project L’Chaim Hires Matti Feigelstock to Promote Teen Mental Health
During the pandemic, mental health issues increased among many segments of the population, including teens. This is placing increasing pressure on our community’s effective but limited resources. One of the programs with which we have a partnership is Project L’Chaim, and we are very pleased to report that they have welcomed a new coordinator, Matti Feigelstock.
Matti's work includes networking with local organizations, synagogues and schools to promote teen mental health.
This is an exciting development for Project L’Chaim, the Metro Vancouver branch of The Wellness Institute, and is generously funded by the Diamond Foundation in loving memory of Steven Diamond z’l. The Wellness Institute produces curricula for teenagers on self-worth, purpose, and meaning to give teens the “why” to keep going through the struggles of everyday life. They also host programs for parents, educators, and mental health professionals to help break the stigma and provide resources for older teens.
A professional counsellor with her own practice, Matti told us that she is “very excited to be starting this position. As our Jewish community is growing, its awareness and understanding of the importance of mental wellbeing is increasing and so does the need for education on the matter.”
Mental health support has long been a strategic priority for Jewish Federation.
In addition to our partnership with Project L’chaim, we are creating a new position to support children and youth struggling with mental health issues, made possible by a generous gift from the Mel and Geri Davis Charitable Trust.
The child and youth mental health worker will use an evidence-based model that has been successful in working with youth struggling with mild and moderate mental health concerns and supporting parents seeking services that bridge the gap between early intervention and specialized treatment services.
These two positions will greatly enhance our community’s very effective but stretched existing resources.
For more information, please contact:
Matti Feigelstock, Project Coordinator, Vancouver
P: 604.771.8897 E: projectl'chaim@wellnessinstitute.org
Annual Campaign Opening Night
Mark your calendars! We are delighted to share that the Federation Annual Campaign opening night is back in person on Thursday, September 8th for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
We will be joined by some very special guests to kick off the campaign and have an important conversation about mental health. As one of the key issues that has been exacerbated by the pandemic, we are committed to making a difference, not only in our work and in our partnerships, but in normalizing the way we all talk about this important issue.
Details coming soon!
Join us for Pride Shabbat
Connect with friends old and new at the Vancouver Pride Shabbat on July 29th! Together, we will affirm the intersections of queer and transgender Jewish identity and the contributions of the Jewish LGBTQ2S+ community while celebrating our rituals and traditions.
Date: Friday July 29, 2022
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Jewish Community Centre, 950 West 41st Ave
Update from our Partners in Ukraine
Jewish Federations continue to raise money for Ukraine relief efforts and have collectively raised more than $71 million since the fighting began. Our partners, the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and The Jewish Agency for Israel, continue to help Jews in need across Ukraine and the region, supported by Federation emergency funds.
The JDC's efforts include:
- Providing essentials such as food and medicine
- Evacuating people across Ukraine
- Medical transport
- Providing non-sectarian aid in partnership with Jewish organizations across the region
- Leveraging JOINTECH – JDC’s remote care tech initiative to provide reprieve during the crisis
The Jewish Agency continues to coordinate mass relief efforts and enable Aliyah for Jews across the region.
- 38,742 new Aliyah inquiries with 25,274 individuals making Aliyah
- 13,229 evacuations
- 108,662 calls to emergency hotlines from Ukraine and across the region
We will continue to update you on the situation in Ukraine and relief efforts by our partners on the ground. Our Ukraine Emergency Relief Fund remains open. Make your gift today.
Join the Federation Team
Are you a talented individual who cares about making a difference in our community? If so, we want to hear from you!
Why work for the Jewish Federation?
Our Mission: Inspired by our Jewish values we strengthen the quality of Jewish life locally, in Israel and around the world. Together, we create a vibrant, caring and inclusive community.
Our work is inspired by the Jewish values of:
Tikkun Olam, repairing the world;
Tzedakah, justice, charity;
Klal Israel, the unity of all the Jewish people;
Chesed, loving kindness.
Our work is guided by our performance values:
Caring, treating each other with respect and kindness;
Excellence, consistently meeting or exceeding expectations;
Collaboration, working together to achieve our goals; and
Efficiency, maximizing the effective use of our resources.
We offer a competitive remuneration and benefits package, as well as training and development opportunities to grow your skills and your career.
Join our team today!
Campaign Coordinator
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Manager, Community Engagement
Program Manager, Community Engagement Young Adult Initiatives
Beat the Heat: Tips from JSA to Stay Cool this Summer
It is always good to plan ahead, so you're prepared if an extreme heat emergency alert is issued. Here is a plan you can put into action:
- Relocate to a cooler location if you have planned to do so
- Reconfigure the coolest location in your home so you can sleep there at night
- Check in with your pre-identified heat buddy (If you don't have one, reach out)
- Put up external window covers to block the sun if you can safely do so
- Close your curtains and blinds
- Ensure digital thermometers have batteries
- Make ice and prepare jugs of cool water
- Keep windows closed between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. to allow cooler air in, and use fans (including kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans) to move cooler air through the house
A special thanks to our partner Jewish Seniors Alliance for providing these helpful tips to keep our community safe this summer.
