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Annual Campaign Opening Event
For those able to be with us on September 10th for our campaign opening, thank you for joining us. It was truly inspiring to be in the presence of such a tremendous personality in our Jewish world, and to be together for the largest community event we have ever hosted. In addition to the conversation with Elie Wiesel, the evening also provided an opportunity to powerfully showcase the March of the Living program, highlighting the group’s experience this past spring, accompanying Robbie Waisman on his return to his village of Skarzysko in Poland, and to the apartment where he had lived.

We were fortunate to have several public officials join us for the evening, including Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson; MPs Don Davies, Joyce Murray, and Wai Young; and BC Social Development Minister Moira Stilwell. During our major gifts dinner, Mayor Robertson presented a special proclamation recognizing Elie Wiesel’s contributions to humanity, and declaring September 10, 2012 Elie Wiesel Day in Vancouver.

We have had wonderful feedback from many people but have also heard from those who were affected by the audio problems in the theatre, and who were therefore not able to hear, or hear fully, the dialogue between Elie Wiesel and Robert Krell. For most people there, the event represented a once in a lifetime opportunity to hear Professor Wiesel live. And for those whose expectations for the evening were not met, we are deeply sorry.

While we were not permitted to record the event, we are working with Professor Wiesel to have him restate his answers to some of the more poignant questions from the evening. We hope to be able to provide that to the community soon.

Dunbar Apartments Open
This week saw the official opening of the Dunbar Apartments, a new government-funded building that provides supportive housing to adults with mental health issues. Through a partnership with the Yaffa Housing Society, five apartments have been designated for members of our community who require a supportive environment. A unique aspect of the Dunbar Apartments is the kosher kitchen funded by the Phyliss and Irving Snider Foundation.

To enable residents to build friendships and socialize together, funding from the Federation Annual Campaign will support the JCCGV’s Bagel Club to organize and cater four dinners for club members and the Dunbar Apartment residents. Bagel Club members will be actively involved in the food preparation, and will participate with the Dunbar residents in the accompanying programming. This is just one of the many ways our community can continue to support its most vulnerable members.

JFSA Starts Radio Show
Thanks to the kind donation from Dmitry Shiglik, a US-based philanthropist and owner of 'Radio Vera' (a Vancouver-based radio station for the Russian-speaking community all across Canada), Jewish Family Service Agency has launched its own radio show called JFSA Voice. The show broadcasts at 96.1 FM from 9 -10 am.

The first program went live on September 12th, and included an interview with Al Szajman, chair of Jewish Federation’s Marketing and Communications Resource Group. Al introduced the Russian community to the history and mandate of our Jewish Federation, and addressed questions related to the Federation Annual Campaign, including how funds are allocated locally and abroad, and how Federation works with its various local Jewish agency partners. The show's listeners responded with keen interest, calling in with questions and requests for future shows to learn more about Federation’s goals and the Jewish value of tzedakah.

Project Isaiah Collecting Food for the Jewish Food Bank
Please help the 280 families that rely on the Jewish Food Bank by dropping off non-perishable food items at our local synagogues or the Jewish Community Centre. The annual Project Isaiah food collection effort is a joint effort of the Jewish Family Service Agency and Jewish Women International. It is an easy way to add a meaningful mitzvah to your High Holiday observance.

L’Shana Tova
This Sunday evening begins the new year – 5773. We live in a world rocked by tumult and conflict. Events and breaking news cascade upon us without time to make analyze and sense of it all. We struggle to find time to meet our many obligations to our families, our friends, our employers, our community – too often we leave ourselves for last.

The amazing opportunity of the New Year is to put it all on pause. We can step back and reflect on who we are, what we aspire towards for ourselves and those we love.

In this year’s campaign, we are sharing the message “We can make our community even stronger”, and it is true. We have the collective resources to do it – it is just a question of whether we have the collective will.

In the end it comes down to you – is it important enough to you? Does being part of a strong and vibrant community add meaning and purpose to your life? Does it provide opportunities for you to strengthen and nurture your family, your values, your tradition? Does it help you be your best self?

I hope that upon reflection, the answer to these questions is yes, and if that is indeed the case, that you will give generously to our Federation Annual Campaign.

L’shana tova tikateyvu – may we all be blessed with a good year!

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