Federation Never Forgets

Shabbat Message from CEO Ezra S. Shanken
 

It was a week of remembrance, and we joined millions around the globe in the #WeRemember campaign to raise awareness of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. I want to thank all of you for honouring the memory of the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust–yesterday and every day. 
 
We were part of starting the national movement of illuminating public buildings in yellow.
 
Together with our partner, the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, and our advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, we teamed up to launch this initiative last year, and we are are very proud to see it roll out nationally.
 
In case you missed it, Nina Krieger, executive director of the VHEC, and Nico Slobinsky, senior director, CIJA-Pacific Region, penned this powerful OpEd in the Daily Hive, and we spoke with the CBC and CKNW’s Jas Johal. You can listen to the radio show here. 
 
We know from experience how meaningful it is when other communities stand shoulder to shoulder with us, and so we stand in solidarity with the Muslim community in remembering the worshipers who were killed in the Quebec mosque shooting five years ago tomorrow.
 
From the Holocaust to twenty-first century Israeli pioneering.
 
One of the initiatives we support in our partnership region of the Upper Galilee is Kedma. Through this university scholarship and housing initiative, students help build the resilience of residents in Israel’s remote border communities by volunteering 300 hours a year.
 
In addition to supporting the Kedma student village in Kibbutz Misgav Am, on the border with Lebanon, we recently joined Kedma in an exciting new pilot project to establish a student village in the town of Metula. We are looking forward to seeing the impact these young leaders will make in this important border community.
 
Speaking of Israel, it’s time to BUYcott Israeli wine.
 
Samidoun and BDS Vancouver–Coast Salish, have once again organized a call to boycott Israeli wines in government owned BC Liquor Stores on February 5. CIJA is organizing a BUYcott calling on community members to buy Israeli wine at BC Liquor Stores, so join me in stocking up.
 
“Thank you so much for thinking of little ol’ Princeton with your significant donation!” - Pastor Kyle Nichols
 
Among those we “remembered” this week were those still affected by the BC floods. Although there is less frequent news coverage, the needs are still there. We anticipated this would be the case, and from the start we have said that we planned to be there for the medium and long term needs, not just the immediate needs. Throughout the process we have seen that many of the most effective organizations on the ground are small, local charities that have deep roots in the affected communities.
 
Here is a summary of the recommendations from our BC Flood Relief Working Group, which were passed by our Board on Monday evening, as well as a photo of Etti Goldman at the BC First Nations Emergency Services Society, who was joined there by Gabe Bloomfield.
 
Merritt Rotary Club $12,500
Emergency grants for the 366 families whose homes have been deemed unsafe and uninhabitable.
 
BC Search and Rescue Association $12,500
Training, assistance and equipment grants to urban and rural search and rescue groups across the province that were overburdened during the flood.
 
Arnold Community Church (via GiveClear) $12,500
Funds to help families replace home appliances lost or destroyed in the flood and to assist those without insurance.
 
Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce (via GiveClear) $12,500
Grants for small business and farm owners who have directly been impacted by the floods.
 
Abbotsford (Archway) Community Services $12,500
Support for food security, mental health support for youth and adults, immigrant settlement, childcare, and support for seniors, families, and babies.
 
Princeton Baptist Church $12,500
Support for a food bank emergency relief for people impacted by the flood.
 
Abbotsford Community Foundation $25,000
Support for 163 individuals who lost their possessions housed in a flooded storage facility, and their insurance claims were denied.
 
We also want to share an important message from the Rabbinical Association of Vancouver.
 
This week, local rabbis displayed remarkable unity on a topic that has proved divisive to others: vaccination. They are urging all eligible members of our community, including children, to get their COVID vaccination shots and boosters, thereby observing Jewish and public health guidelines. You can read their letter to the community here.
 
A flourishing partnership with the Hebrew Free Loan Association of Vancouver.
 
On Parashat Mishpatim we always shine a light on the unique work of the Hebrew Free Loan Association of Vancouver (HFLA). Over the last year, the relationship between our organizations has grown stronger. We are very proud to have awarded the HFLA a $30,000 grant to provide unsecured (ie: no guarantor required) loans to families wishing to send their teens on an educational summer trip to Israel.
 
Our organizations have also partnered on a combined application, so that families only need to complete one form to be considered for both a Federation scholarship and an HFLA loan. Together, we are making it easier for families to access the support they need to make an Israel experience possible for their teenagers.

Shabbat Shalom.

Ezra S. Shanken
Chief Executive Officer