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March of the Living Group Returns
Every two years, high school youth in our community have the opportunity to participate in the March of the Living. This extraordinary, life-changing program takes participants to Poland to witness the devastation and impact of the Holocaust on Jewish life, and then to Israel to experience the redemption that Israel represents. Thirteen students from the Lower Mainland went this year, joining the Coast-to-Coast Canadian contingent. They were joined by local survivors Robbie Waisman and Mariette Doduck, and chaperones David and Susie Emanuel.

The March is always a profound experience; one of the key elements that makes it so impactful is the interaction of the students with survivors who accompany them. Mariette Doduck has been instrumental in our community in her leadership at the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre (VHEC) and speaks frequently to high school students about her experiences as a child survivor, hidden during the Holocaust. For Robbie Waisman, co-founder of the VHEC, who speaks throughout BC about his experiences during the Holocaust, this was his first trip back to the village where he was born.

Monique de St. Croix, a photojournalist accompanying this year’s March, eloquently captured the moments of Robbie’s return to his home village, bolstered and supported by the group. I encourage you to read this most powerful account.

Pacific Chai Dragon Boat Teams Holds Final Practice
This past weekend, the Pacific Chai team, which will represent the Lower Mainland in Israel’s first-ever Dragon Boat Festival, held its final practice. The Dragon Boat Festival was the brainchild of several Ottawa women who thought it would be an excellent way to introduce a wider circle of Canadians to Israel, and to our Coast-to-Coast partnership region in the Upper Galilee. With 39 teams competing, there are more than 850 participants, with an almost even split of Canadian and Israeli teams. Between participants, coaches, spouses and other supporters, there are more than 600 Canadians headed to Israel this week and next to participate.

Teams and individuals are seeking sponsors to help support the festival’s charitable effort, which will support two projects which our Jewish Federation is involved with. Youth Futures addresses the needs of at-risk youth in Kiryat Shmona by pairing them with trained adult role models who connect the family, school and community to work together in accomodating each participant’s unique needs. Our Federation’s funding helps ensure that 160 children in Kiryat Shmona receive this support. The Net@ Program provides high school youth in the Upper Galilee region access to a high level computer training program that gets them Cisco Systems certification by the time they graduate high school. With that, they enter their army service and higher education with a competitive advantage that overcomes the natural disadvantages of growing up in Israel’s periphery.

Click here to sponsor the Pacific Chai team and support these two great programs. If you’d like to consider participating in next year’s festival, email If’at Eilon-Heiber to be notified when the organizing begins.

Bricks and Mortar or Rent Subsidies?
This was the topic of a community forum on housing sponsored by Tikva Housing Society in partnership with Jewish Federation and 10 other community organizations. More than 100 people came together to talk about future directions in affordable housing and the challenges of meeting the needs of community members. Should funds be invested in buildings to ensure there is an adequate supply of affordable housing in the long term, or be spent on rental subsidies as a viable short-term option?

The evening began with a presentation by Tikva Housing Society on their very successful Esther Dayson rental subsidy program, followed by a panel moderated by Jewish Federation Planning Council member Penny Gurstein. Panellists included local planning and housing experts Nathan Edelson, Bonnie Rice, Tsur Somerville and Tim Wake, who spoke about the need for inclusive affordable housing for all; the need for a balance between new buildings and rental subsidies; the importance of supportive housing for people struggling with mental health and addictions, the economics of providing affordable housing; and strategies to facilitate home ownership by middle income earners. The expertise of the panellists and the participation of the audience resulted in an evening focused on innovative ideas and challenging discussion.

Eye on Iran Conflict
There has been almost daily news coverage and analysis of the challenges posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Among the latest developments:

• The UN nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expressed concern yesterday that Iran is using the period between last month's negotiations and the scheduled May 23rd negotiations in Baghdad to "sanitize" suspected nuclear weapons facilities. They have requested immediate access, which the Iranians have declined. On Thursday, the United States, France, Russia, China and Britain called on Iran to open those sites immediately to UN inspectors.

• This week’s step by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to dissolve parliament and call for early elections in September likely forestalls any unilateral actions that Israel might have contemplated in the immediate term.

As tensions between Iran and the West continue to rise, are global economic sanctions having an effect on Iran's dangerous nuclear weapons program? The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is providing an excellent opportunity to learn more about the evolving picture with Iran. Avi Jorisch, who advised the U.S. Department of the Treasury on Iran sanctions, will be speaking here on May 14th. For more information or to register for the event, click here.

Parashat Acharei Mot – Kedoshim
In Kedoshim we read a list of behaviours and practices that comprise a holy life. The laws included calls for treating others justly and humanely. Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, in his book, A Code of Jewish Ethics: Volume 1, points to Leviticus 19:15 as the basis of this code of behaviour. “In justice shall you judge your fellow man", calling judges to be scrupulously fair.

According to Rabbi Telushkin this law applies to everyone. We tend to rush to negative opinions of others while we regard ourselves more highly. This is because we gauge other's actions, but in looking at ourselves we have the benefit of knowing our intentions.

It is common, today, when promoting greater understanding, to encourage looking through another’s eyes, to take on their perspective. Perhaps what is really called for is to look at others' behaviour through the lens of your own range of intentions. Too often we assume the worst of others; perhaps we should gauge their behaviour more by what we might have done in similar circumstances to do the same.

Shabbat shalom!