Shabbat Message - April 30, 2021

This message has 1098 words and will take a little more than 5 minutes to read.

There are a few traditions we try to follow in our Shabbat Message – mourning before we celebrate, and closing on a happy note rather than a sad one are just two of them. So, we want to start today’s message by acknowledging the horrible tragedy that took place last night near our partnership region in Northern Israel, where 45 people were killed at a massive Lag B’Omer celebration on Mount Meron. May the memories of those who lost their lives be for a blessing.
 
The Mevo’ot HaHermon rescue and recovery team was called immediately, and, as it happens, we immediately saw how closely our own community was connected to this. Five years ago our Israel and Global Engagement Committee funded the purchase of specialized equipment that the team uses, and the team captain is a graduate of the first group of our GalilUp leadership program. Mashabim, the community stress prevention centre in Kiryat Shmona (also funded by our community) opened crisis lines in five languages for anyone who needs help. 

There is much to celebrate in our community this week, but we acknowledge that we do so while our sister community mourns. 
 
It really was a remarkable week here. We have to start with an absolutely massive thank you to the Honourable Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Art, Culture and Sport and the BC government for pledging $25 million toward the redevelopment of the Jewish Community Centre.
 
Minister Mark, made the historic announcement on Tuesday, along with the Honourable David Eby, MLA for Vancouver-Point Grey, and the Honourable George Heyman, MLA for Vancouver-Fairview. We want to thank them for their incredible support. We also want to thank the Honourable Selina Robinson, Minister of Finance, who has supported this project from the beginning.
 
The importance of this investment from the province cannot be overstated. Not only is the amount significant, it enables the project to build the momentum we need in order to make this dream, a reality. As Minister Mark noted, it is hoped that this commitment will spur federal government support, which, along with private donations, is needed for the redevelopment. For more on the announcement, click here.
 
Alvin Wasserman, president of the JCC, said during the announcement that while the JCC “is Jewish at heart, it is one of the leading and most diverse community centres in the Lower Mainland.” One of the other things Alvin mentioned bears repeating here, because it puts the project into a broader context that illuminates who we are as a community:
 
Our community pioneers knew this land would be important for our future needs. That future is arriving. So, instead of selling part of the property to developers and building a new centre, we could stay true to our values and use the land to improve the lives of as many people as possible. 
 
This land was a gift—a legacy left to us decades ago by people who cared about building for the next generation—our generation. Success will require a mind shift for each of us. We are no longer the generation for whom people built. We are now also the generation who must build for others. As we accept this responsibility, we will follow our values and build for all, thus improving the city, the region, and the province. 

Assuming the momentum keeps building, and we have every reason to expect it will, construction is expected to take place in two major phases.
 
Phase one, to which the BC government’s support is directed, will see a 200,000 square foot, state of the art, multigenerational community centre with amenities for all Vancouver area residents. It will be built on what is currently the JCC parking lot. Childcare capacity will double, with up to 400 spaces. The seniors’ centre will expand to serve more than 500 people. New arts and cultural spaces will be anchored by an expanded Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre and a new theatre. And, more than 15 not-for-profit organizations are expected to call the centre home, including Jewish Federation.
 
Phase two will begin once the new JCC is open and will be located on what is currently the site of the existing JCC building. It will feature a mixed-use rental housing project, with units expected to be offered at or below market value and be open to everyone. We are also very excited that, thanks to generous support from private donors and supporters of the school, King David High School will move to a new facility in this phase. The school is growing and this move will provide them with ample space to provide innovative academic, athletic, and extra-curricular programming.
 
We are counting on great things lie ahead for our community, so it seems fitting that we’re writing about this announcement during the omer period, when we count up to greater things. This is also a time for a different kind of counting: the census.
 
Your invitation to participate in the online 2021 census will arrive in the mail on May 3rd. The Government of Canada uses census information to plan community programs and services, and so do we. In fact, it’s essential to our community planning function. But, the last census underreported Jewish Canadians by a large margin. That’s why we are urging you to complete it right away, and to count yourself as “Jewish”, if that’s how you identify.
 
One in every four census questionnaires is the long-form version and will include questions on ethnicity (Question 23) and religion (Question 30). So that the perspectives of Jewish Canadians are reflected in public policy, and to ensure we receive our share of programs and services, it is important for Jewish Canadians to be recognized by the Government of Canada as a thriving, growing, and engaged community.
 
If it is important to you to be counted as Jewish, then write “Jewish” when responding to question 23, question 30, or both. On question 23, which pertains to ethnicity, you can include multiple answers, for example, “Russian” and “Jewish” or “Moroccan” and “Jewish.” After all, our community is home to people with diverse backgrounds and who hail from around the world.
 
Our organization has the ability to touch lives around the world, especially through our work with our trusted partner in overseas rescue and relief, the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). One place that needs our help right now is India, where the situation is dire. In response, we have opened the India COVID Relief Fund, and invite you to donate here. You can find out more information about how the JDC is helping in India here.

Shabbat shalom.

Ezra S. Shanken
Chief Executive Officer