Thank You!

Shabbat Message from CEO Ezra S. Shanken
 

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Wow, we have had an amazing response to the announcement of the JWest capital campaign cabinet. It is fantastic to see the enthusiasm so many people have for this project.

Seeing momentum build for this project is very exciting. Based on your feedback, it’s clear that many of you are excited, too!

I’d like to share some insights on the cabinet announcement today.

Whether you are a member of this community, have family here, or are a volunteer, donor or communal professional, this is probably the most significant opportunity to strengthen a community that you have ever been a part of. It certainly is for me.

JWest is an investment in our community's future the likes of which none of us will probably ever see again in our lifetimes. It honours our past, builds on our present, and represents our dreams for what this community will be long after we are gone.

That's why we assembled such a remarkable cabinet with diverse members who share drive and commitment to take the project across the finish line. They will act as the main fundraising body for the Capital Campaign and move this project from a vision to reality.

It won't be easy. Nothing worth building ever is.

We already know that inflation will be a challenge, and there will almost certainly be others that we encounter along the way. It is to be expected.

I have heard from many of you over the past two days expressing your confidence in this cabinet, and I want you to know how important that is. This is our project, our opportunity—yours and mine. It is ours to embrace, to support, and to see through to the end. And it is going to take every one of us to make it happen.

I want to thank Gordon and Leslie Diamond, JWest’s honorary co-chairs, whose experience and guidance will be invaluable to the cabinet. We are beyond grateful that they have agreed to take on this important role.

Having worked closely with Alex Cristall for many years on our Board, as our campaign chair, and as our board chair, I can tell you that this cabinet is in good hands. Alex is an inspiring leader, and he knows how to build, strengthen and lead a team to success.

If you haven’t yet had a chance to read the full announcement (click here for it), here are the members.
 

• Gordon (O.C., O.B.C) and Leslie Diamond (O.B.C), Honorary Co-Chairs
• Alex Cristall, Chair 
• Michael Averbach
• Shirley Barnett
• Frances Belzberg, O.C., O.B.C
• Barry Glotman
• Hodie Kahn
• Dr. Jonathon Leipsic
• Lana Marks Pulver
• Josephine Nadel, Q.C.
• Dr. Neil Pollock
• Michelle Pollock
• Lisa Pullan   

Please reach out and thank your friends and acquaintances on the cabinet for taking on this important role and let them know you are behind them.

Helping create the future we want for ourselves and our children takes many forms, one of which is getting involved in the upcoming mayoral election.

Our advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and S.U.C.C.E.S.S are hosting a Vancouver Mayoral Pre-Election Town Hall. Hear from Vancouver mayoral candidates as they discuss topics that matter to you, including: Affordable housing, community safety, diversity and inclusion and more. September 7th at 6:00 p.m. at Temple Sholom.

It will be moderated by Global News Hour anchor Sophie Lui, with panelists:
 

• Ken Sim (A Better City)
• Kennedy Stewart (Forward Together)
• NPA Candidate (to be announced)
• Mark Marissen (Progress Vancouver)
• Colleen Hardwick (TEAM For a Livable Vancouver)

Then, on September 8th, we want you to join us in person for the Annual Campaign opening.
 
We have an amazing group of speakers and local expert panelists joining us this year to open up the very important conversation on mental health. Mayim Bialik and Jonathan Cohen will be joining us live from LA and Fran Drescher will be here with us in person. You can purchase tickets here. I look forward to seeing you there.
 
Shabbat Shalom from Camp Hatikvah where Candace Kwinter, Board Chair, and I spent the day!

Our annual visits to our partner summer camps are something I look forward to each year. What better way to end a week than spending it with our youngest community watching them forge lifelong friendships!

And lastly, since today's subject line is thank you- I'll end with a thank you. As I am about to celebrate another birthday here in Vancouver this weekend, I can't help but reflect on the years past and acknowledge just how grateful I am to be here supporting our community. THANK YOU all for making my dream a reality.

Shabbat shalom.

Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver