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Campaign Update
Thanks to the hard work of our campaign leadership and volunteers, and the generous response of more than 800 community members, we have raised $2.7 million towards our $8 million goal for this year’s campaign. We are one-third of the way towards our goal.

In and around the holidays I’ve had the opportunity to meet individually with a number of our donors to talk about this year’s campaign, and I thought I’d share some the questions they’ve asked me, along with answers. I’m guessing some of you have similar questions.

Why not give directly to the organizations I care most about?
We all have specific things that are important to us and of course you should support them. However, our community campaign is the only way you can make sure that a wide spectrum of Jewish needs are met across our community, and across our Jewish world. Many people who need help in our community need to access that help from multiple organizations – and the Annual Campaign funds a whole network of programs and services for them. For example, a family that needs a scholarship for their child to attend Jewish day school, likely also needs programs subsidies at the JCC and services for an elderly parent. There are also many small organizations that play critical roles in meeting community needs that aren’t widely known or popular, but which rely on community support. And the really big things in Jewish life – sending thousands of young adults on Birthright, or resettling immigrants from the former Soviet Union or Ethiopia – can only be done through collective efforts supported by Jews across North America.

But aren’t I just feeding more community overhead?
Actually the Federation Annual Campaign is a very efficient way to support a broad range of needs. Our operating costs for the Annual Campaign are 12.5% of what we raise. If you research the fundraising costs of most charities you will find that they are generally higher, often much higher.

How are the capital campaigns active in our community affecting the Federation Annual Campaign?
There is no question they are having an impact. Capital campaigns are important because they address the long-term infrastructure needs of our community, which have to be dealt with from time to time. In fact, Jewish Federation works with our local organizations, often quietly behind the scenes, to support such efforts. However, our community won’t fully benefit from these great new facilities if the resources those organizations count on for day-to-day operations are diminished. We have to ensure our community’s ability to meet its ongoing needs.

How are decisions made about where the funds go?
Volunteers – community members like you – serve on the various committees that develop the allocations recommendations that are ultimately approved by our Federation board. Our Allocations Planning Committee focuses on the distribution of funds to our 25 local partner agencies, while our Israel and Overseas Affairs Committee guides our international allocations. For more information about how these processes work or where campaign funds are allocated, visit the Report to Donors on our website.

Community Leaders Meet with B.C. NDP Leader Adrian Dix
Leadership from the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and Jewish Federation hosted a fruitful and meaningful discussion this week between Jewish community leaders and B.C.’s Leader of the Opposition, Adrian Dix. The meeting followed similar briefings held this past summer with senior officials of the B.C. government.

The goal of the meeting was to provide B.C.’s opposition leader with greater insight into the issues of concern and challenges faced by the more than 30,000 Jewish British Columbians. Lay leaders and professional staff representing diverse backgrounds and affiliations discussed a number of critical topics with Mr. Dix including anti-Semitism, poverty, affordable housing, seniors’ care, Jewish education and the centrality of the State of Israel to the Jewish community.

During the meeting, Mr. Dix expressed his deep appreciation for the Jewish community and recognized the importance of strengthening vital social services. He also stressed the need to confront hatred and extremism wherever it exists. Mr. Dix shared his understanding of the important role Israel plays in the Jewish community, as Canada’s democratic ally and as a global leader in innovation and technology.

Celebrating Sukkot
We are in the midst of one of the most glorious Sukkot holidays that many on the Lower Mainland can remember – beautiful sunny days; clear, crisp evenings – perfect weather for joining together with guests in your sukkah to share a meal.

And while my teenagers roll their eyes when I hand them the lulav and etrog to give a shake, they still get up, stumble their way through the blessing, and ask us who is joining us tomorrow night for dinner. My wife and I take comfort, while we schlep the dishes back to the kitchen, that we are building memories.

Memory is at the core of what this holiday is about – remembering our collective journey through the desert, the precariousness of life in a hostile environment, and the role God plays in our lives, collectively and individually. Minor sukkah repairs after a night of strong wind reminds you that, like everything else in life, creating Jewish memories doesn’t come from simple one-time actions. It takes a lifetime commitment to engage and reengage, live and relive thousands of moments.

Malcolm Gladwell describes in Outliers the 10,000 hours that people who excel have invested in their particular field to hone their skills. What will it take to build an extraordinary next generation of Jews? It is going to take a lot of little moments at the individual, family and communal level to create the combination of skill and habits of heart required.


Shabbat shalom! Moadim l’simcha!