June 1, 2022 | 2 Sivan 5782

Join us for our AGM on June 27th

Join us in person on Monday, June 27th for our Annual General Meeting featuring a conversation with Michal Cotler-Wunsch, former Member of the Knesset and senior public policy and strategy advisor, and Yaron Deckel, The Jewish Agency’s Regional Director for Canada. 
 
Our program will include the election of directors and officers, proposed bylaw amendments, and the presentation of awards to our incredible volunteers for their leadership and contributions to our community. 

Award recipients:  

• Diane Switzer will receive the Arthur Fouks Award for her dedication to the goals and principles of our organization. Diane has held numerous roles at Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Foundation, including chair of the Federation board. During her term as Foundation chair, she has overseen substantial growth of the Foundation’s assets. 

• Rick Kohn will receive the Robert Coleman Award for ensuring our precious donations make the greatest impact. Rick brought his vast professional experience to provide strong guidance and leadership in key areas, leaving the Federation in a financial position to create even greater impact in the communities we serve. 

• Kyra Morris will receive the Young Leadership Award, which is awarded on behalf of the community. Kyra took on her role in the midst of the pandemic, and undaunted she successfully led the group through uncharted territory. 

We will also honour the Community Recovery Task Force, chaired by Risa Levine, for their work during the pandemic. This group of well-respected and experienced leaders from across the community led the development of a plan that enabled us to respond effectively to the many operational and financial challenges facing the community, and that carved a path for future sustainability.   

Monday, June 27, 2022 | 7:00 p.m. 
Beth Israel | 989 W 28th Ave, Vancouver 

180 Ethiopian Olim Became Israeli Citizens Today!

We are #fedproud that Candace Kwinter, our board chair, traveled to Ethiopia this week to be on the ground as 3,000 Ethiopian Jews prepared to make Aliyah to Israel as part of her role with the Jewish Agency's Board of Governors.

Earlier today, Candace accompanied the first group of 180 new olim on a flight to Israel as part of a renewed Operation Tzur Yisrael, which will see many of them reunite with their immediate family who is already there. Click here to see more photos.

Having local representation from our community at this historic moment for global Jewry is incredibly important. Our community has a stronger voice than ever, thanks to the trust you place in Jewish Federation and the volunteer leaders, like Candace and others, who stand up and represent us. 

Learn more about Operation Tzur Israel and Candace's experience in this week's Shabbat message. 

Exploring our Roots for Jewish Heritage Month

May was Canadian Jewish Heritage Month. In celebration, we proudly co-hosted a series of historical walking tours in partnership with the Jewish Museum and Archives BC (JMABC), the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), the JCC, Camp Miriam, and our community outreach programs Connect Me In, Axis and PJ Library.  

On Sunday, we welcomed close to 50 dignitaries and community leaders from across BC, as well as families from our community (on a separate tour), to explore the early roots of Vancouver's Jewish community in Strathcona. We visited our community's first synagogue, National Council of Jewish Women's Neighbourhood House, the predecessor of the original Jewish Community Centre, and learned about the people who planted the seeds of our thriving community today. 

The tours were such a success that all the partners hope to build on the momentum and expand our Jewish Heritage Month offerings next year.

In the meantime, we encourage you to connect with the JMABC, who offer similar tours year-round. It's an incredible learning experience designed for all ages.  

THE LATEST FROM OUR PARTNERS IN UKRAINE

As the war continues to rage in Ukraine, we will keep updating you as we receive new information from our partners about how our community's collective effort is helping. The UN Human Rights Council estimates 6.64 million refugees have fled Ukraine since the beginning of fighting, including tens of thousands of Jews, many of whom have now made Aliyah to Israel.

Your gift is making a difference.

Here are some of the latest impact reports we have received from our trusted partner in international rescue and relief, the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC):

• 37,500+ refugees provided vital necessities like food, medicine, and psychosocial aid through the JDC
• Evacuated some 12,600 Jews fleeing violence in Ukraine. 
• 56,000+ calls fielded by emergency hotlines and Hesed centres.
• Delivered nearly 400 tons of humanitarian aid to tens of thousands of Jews in Ukraine and those who have fled to Moldova, including crucial essentials like food and medicine.

Jewish Federations across the continent continue to raise funds for Ukraine relief efforts, and have collectively raised more than $62 million since the fighting began – more than triple the initial goal set at the start of the war.

Locally, we have raised close to $1 million, with many donors contributing multiple times. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of so many people in our community. Our Ukraine Emergency Relief Fund remains open so that we can continue to respond to the evolving immediate and long-term needs. Click here to donate.

The Jewish Agency for Israel is continuing to coordinate mass relief efforts and enable Aliyah for the Jewish community in Ukraine. Watch a video about the Agency’s efforts. If you would like to learn more, we invite you to join Jewish Federation of North America’s weekly Ukraine briefings on Mondays from 1:30-2:00 p.m. PST. Register here.

If you have friends or family in Ukraine or the surrounding countries who need help, we have compiled a list of hotlines here.

Leadership Profile: Meet Rick Kohn

Our volunteer leadership make Jewish Federation the vital resource that is it. Throughout the year we recognize the countless hours and expertise that they provide to strengthen our community both locally and abroad.  

Rick Kohn, our outgoing treasurer and chair of our Finance Committee, will receive the Robert Coleman Award at our AGM on June 27th, for ensuring that your donations make the greatest impact. During his term, Rick leveraged his background in public practice and the private sector to create efficiencies and improvements during that enhanced our systems as well as our decision-making capabilities and capacity.

1. As treasurer and chair of the Finance Committee throughout the pandemic, was there a moment that stood out for you? 
    
   The pandemic challenges us all to consider ourselves, our community, humanity, and the world. The moments that stood out for me were, again and again, when individuals in our community, as one, supported each another as a sacred mission.  
    

2. What drives you to donate your time and bandwidth for community? 
    
   To be a small part of that web of community that supports, develops, grows, heals, succeeds, and celebrates together. 
    

3. As outgoing treasurer, what are you most proud of from your time on Jewish Federation’s Board of Directors? 
    
   Jewish Federation consists of so many passionate voices working together towards common goals. I'm happy that during a brief moment in time for our community my voice added to the beautiful song that is Jewish Vancouver. 

Jumpstart an Aspiring Jewish Leader's Journey

Birthright Israel is Back!

After a two-year pause because of the pandemic, we are thrilled to share that Israel experiences are back!

Birthright Israel is a fantastic way to visit the country–for free. If you or someone you know is a Jewish Canadian between the ages of 18–32 you can register here. This year, we have partnered with Tailor-Made tours who have planned a fantastic experience with flights departing from YVR.