Shabbat Message - October 29, 2021

This message has 551 words and will take a little more than 2 minutes to read.

This year, we gave our local partners the opportunity to talk about their pandemic experiences, and many of them took us up on it. In addition to the larger organizations whose work you support, there are some smaller, but no less important, organizations that contribute to the rich fabric of our community. Their work may or may not be on your radar, so I encourage you to learn more about what they do. All the videos are short and sweet.
 
One of these organizations is the Jewish Museum and Archives of BC (JMABC), which will be launching their new book, Looking Back, Moving Forward: 160 Years of Jewish Life in BC, on November 16 at Congregation Beth Israel. In their video, Michael Schwartz talks about the JMABC’s role in telling our community’s story and safeguarding it for future generations, and how they have been inspired by the ways in which our community has rallied around them and supported their work. It’s exactly what puts us all in a position of strength as our community moves through the ever changing stages of COVID impact. Click here for the video.
 
Our tradition teaches us “All Jews are responsible for each other.” That is never more true than during a crisis.
 
On Sunday, at the board of governors meeting of our partner, the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), they shared a video featuring the personal, firsthand experiences of Israelis who suffered from Hamas rocket attacks during Operation Guardian of the Walls. Because of your support, they were able to help and comfort people and provide immediate financial support through their Fund for Victims of Terror. Many of us were moved to tears when we watched this, and I hope you will take a moment to be transported into the lives of the people you are helping.
 
We are very proud that our board chair, Candace Kwinter, and one of our past board chairs, Karen James, both serve on JAFI’s board of governors. Here is Candace talking about the importance of having local leaders represent our community on the international level.
 

Community leaders will shine at our Choices event next weekend, too.
 
A few days ago, we filmed 19 women who wanted to share their experiences of being strengthened and inspired by our community through the pandemic, and it is going to be a highlight of the event. You can read more about Choices and speaker, Jill Zarin, in this Jewish Independent article. I hope you will join us.  
 
“Being a child of my people, I have heard the call to add my chapter to its unfinished story.” – Rabbi Sacks z'l
 
Jeff Balin, our vice president, operations, teaches a class on Torah leadership at Temple Sholom, and he led our bi-weekly staff meeting with a tribute to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z’l, which followed the programs that Schara Tzedeck and Beth Hamidrash organized, featuring local speakers. This week, we marked the first yahrzeit of this universally beloved rabbi, alongside the yahrzeits of the 11 people who were killed in the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh three years ago. There were many commemorative events and learning opportunities to keep their memories alive, and we want to leave you with one that we think will fill you with pride, Rabbi Sacks’ z’l Why I am a Jew.

Shabbat shalom. 

Ezra S. Shanken
Chief Executive Officer