Shabbat Message - July 23, 2021

This message has 625 words and will take a little more than 3 minutes to read.

We heard you! Eighty-five percent of respondents prefer the new length and format of the Shabbat Message, so that’s the direction we’ll take, with the occasional longer, more in-depth message periodically. Thank you for taking the time to let us know.
 
As we reflected on the week and what to include in this message, the topics that came together happened to be pretty weighty. That said, I hope that you will find some light in knowing that each comes with a positive action we have taken or that you can take.
 
Keeping sacred spaces safe is of importance to all Canadians.

Sadly, we know all too well what it is to have our communal and sacred spaces targeted. Vandalism and destruction of any kind must not be tolerated.
 
Church vandalism in the Lower Mainland has spiked recently, and the Executive of the Multi-faith Summit Council of BC, of which CIJA is a member, released a statement of solidarity. We have also worked with the Rabbinical Association of Vancouver and CIJA to reach out to other faith communities.
 
Antisemitism should be of importance to all Canadians, too, and we believe it is. Candace Kwinter, our board chair, and I were among those who represented our community and joined our peers from across the country to discuss that very topic with elected officials from all levels of government, including the Prime Minister.
 
We attended the federal government’s Emergency Summit on Antisemitism on Wednesday.

There was an encouraging discussion and CIJA presented proposals that included enhanced security, improved education about antisemitism in Canadian curricula, and legal initiatives to make Holocaust denial an indictable offense in Canada.

I want to thank the government for convening the summit and for their commitment to combatting antisemitism. You can help keep these efforts moving by join CIJA’s digital advocates program here.

Young Jewish leaders tackled similar issues in Washington, DC.

On Tuesday, Jewish Federations of North America’s National Young Leadership Cabinet launched the Jewish Federations' Advocacy Corps and met with top congressional leaders who are spearheading the fight against antisemitism. Among their achievements was securing a commitment from the Biden administration to fill the role of Ambassador to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism at the US State Department in the coming weeks.

At its heart, each of these steps is an act of tikkun olam, the ongoing effort to repair the world not just for ourselves and our children, but for everyone. We don’t have to look far to see how else the world around us needs to be repaired, especially with the current wildfire situation. One way you can help is by donating to our Wildfire Relief Fund.
 
Now, for something fun: sign up for our photoshoot this Wednesday!
 
We’re looking for individuals and families of all ages to be featured in this year’s Annual Campaign material and showcase the diversity of our community. Come on your own, with your family, or volun-tell your teens to do it. As a thank you, we’ll provide you with a gorgeous family portrait or a professional headshot. Click here for more information or to register for a time slot.
 
Shabbat shalom,

Ezra S. Shanken
Chief Executive Officer

P.S. To be sure we leave you on a hopeful note, please join us in giving tremendous kavod to our partner, Jewish Family Services, for their work on a new pilot program called Farm-to-Plate!