North-Shore.jpg

North-Shore(1).jpgThe North Shore of the Burrard Inlet is located on the south-facing slopes of the Coast Mountains, across the Lions Gate Bridge from Downtown Vancouver. Further up the Sea to Sky Highway is Squamish, a favourite destination for outdoors enthusiasts.

 

There has been an active Jewish community on the North Shore since the 1960s, and an emerging community in Squamish.

 

North Vancouver: North Vancouver homes many young Jewish families and retirees.  Connect Me In has partnered with Or Shalom, Har-El and The North Shore Shabbat Group, to host a once a month Shabbat for the community in alternating locations. Connect Me In and PJ library offer once a month Toddler Circle Time at Teahaus Treehaus, an interactive play cafe on Marine Drive. The Jewish community in this area is growing, and as it grows, programming and resources are expected to grow as well. 

 

West Vancouver: Har El - The North Shore Centre for Jewish Life (formerly Congregation Har El) got its start in 1974 with many families joining together to hold services and other social events. In 1998 a permanent home was built for the nearly 200 congregants and a full-time rabbi. The synagogue offers weekly Shabbat services, adult education, supplemental Hebrew school, daycare, social programs, and events.

 

Squamish: Squamish boasts a relatively new and small Jewish community. Every year Squamish has a Chanukah party, and various other Jewish programming throughout the year. In 2019, Squamish was home to a series of Judaism Through The Arts Workshops for young children.

 

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  • Jewish Family Services Food Link

    Jewish Family Services (JFS)'s Jewish Food Link is available in West Vancouver, providing healthy, nutritious food to low-income families at no cost. To qualify, households must have less than $40,000/year annual income. If you are interested or if you know someone who is, please contact Donna Riback, driback@jfsvancouver.ca or 604.637.3305. Connect Me In is proud to support this program by connecting families to JFS. The program is also supported by a grant from the Jewish Community Foundation.

Past Program Highlights

  • Squamish Hebrew School

    Building on the success of the Hanukkah parties (see below), Connect Me In worked with parents to launch the Squamish Hebrew School. Eleven children participated in this program, which combined Jewish learning and Hebrew language instruction with the opportunity to make new friends and have fun. The idea for the program came from parents, who applied for and received a Connect Me In Community Engagement Grant from Jewish Federation; a grant supported a similar program in Langley.

  • Hanukkah Parties

    In 2016 and 2017 Connect Me In headed to beautiful Squamish to celebrate Hanukkah. Families made their own menorahs, and enjoyed songs, story time, crafts and games – and everyone enjoyed traditional holidays foods, like sufganiyot.