Shabbat Message - October 8, 2021
This message has 569 words and will take a little more than 2.5 minutes to read.
We are incredibly proud to share the announcement from The Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of BC, that she has taken on the role of Honorary Patron of Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver! Our hope is that this role benefits organizations and individuals across our community.
When we met with The Lieutenant Governor and representatives of other communities yesterday, the conversation was wide-ranging: from helping Afghan refugees to the complex history and evolving nature of her role, and the ways she could connect with the Jewish community. I want to thank Shelley Rivkin, our VP global and local engagement, and Nico Slobinsky, director of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs-Pacific Region for their work on this.
We share many of the same important goals with The Lieutenant Governor, including diversity, inclusion, and improving the lives of British Columbians, and we look forward to sharing more with you as the honorary patronage takes shape.
One of the issues that affects the lives of many British Columbians is substance abuse.
This topic is close to my heart because of how it has affected my extended family, so it means a lot to know that more people will learn about it this weekend. Over the next few days, JACS Vancouver—the Jewish Addiction Community Service–is raising awareness of this important issue. Howard Harowitz, JACS’ board chair, told us that “the most dramatic and catastrophic indicator of the broader problem is captured in the number of opioid toxicity deaths: [in September], the Federal Government released a report that cites an 88% increase in deaths compared to pre-COVID levels (which were already at epidemic proportions!).”
I am also very pleased to announce that we will be partnering with Beth Israel for an upcoming Scholar In Residence event featuring Rabbi Elezar Diamond along with JFS and JACS. On February 10, 2022, he will speak on Judaism and addictions.
Another issue that affects British Columbians is racism.
The recent incident of antisemitic graffiti at Chabad of Vancouver Island was cause for grave concern, but we want to focus on its resolution. We are nearly equidistant from the High Holydays and the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre’s annual commemoration of Kristallnacht, and Chabad’s response elegantly balanced the complex themes of both: tshuva and remembrance.
It will be more powerful if you read the details yourself rather than if we summarize them. If the link doesn’t work for you, try accessing it here. It is well worth taking the time to read it.
Speaking of things that are worth your time, how about volunteering to deliver meals?
Jewish Family Services and Chabad Richmond, are looking for volunteer drivers. More than bringing people food, your efforts will bring important moments of connections to those who need it most. And, as anyone who volunteers will tell you, often the person who benefits most is you.
See you soon…
Many thanks to those of you who attended The Community of AWESOME! event on Sunday. We needed that booster of positivity and inspiration, didn’t we? I want to thank our campaign chair, Lana Marks Pulver, and our board chair, Candace Kwinter, for their involvement. I also want to thank everyone who made their Annual Campaign gift that night. Next up is Choices, the biggest Women’s Philanthropy event of the year, and you can register here.
Shabbat shalom and happy Thanksgiving.
Ezra S. Shanken
Chief Executive Officer