|
|||
This message has 724 words and will take about 4 minutes to read.
Why? What happens at these meetings? What’s the big deal? People who want to do big things and create big ideas are found at meetings like the Jewish Agency For Israel’s (JAFI) Board meetings and Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly (a.k.a. “the GA”). The result is that this is where some of the most profound ideas that impact Jewish life in Israel and the diaspora are hatched. It’s where we generate ideas that turn into programs that reach well beyond any individual community, and that affect future generations.
Our leadership understand that the value of these meetings often goes beyond the plenaries, and includes connecting with innovators, collaborating, and building life-changing programs. Karen summed it up really nicely: One of the highlights was the mega event of 3,000 MASA participants. The participants there came from around the world, including Canada and Vancouver. I wish I had had that opportunity at that age! A session on Generation Z and the young millennials was also enlightening, with data showing that 41% are on screen daily, and 66% of children ages 6-11 declare online gaming as their main source of entertainment. How do we engage our Jewish youth in this environment?” Consider this question about engaging youth. It’s an issue that will have an impact on every single one of our families, our communities, and on what Israel engagement will look like years from now. It’s exactly the kind of issue that cannot be dealt with by one community in isolation, but is much more effectively addressed when we put all our heads together. What better time to gather together and build a better future than during a week when collectively we remembered the dark times ushered in by Kristallnacht, and we honoured the sacrifices on Remembrance Day that gave us the freedom we enjoy today. As you gather around your Shabbat table with your family and friends tonight, think about how fortunate we are to be a part of something so much bigger than our individual selves, and consider joining me and thousands of others at next year’s GA November 13-15 in Washington, DC. Shabbat is nearly upon us here, but in Paris it is well underway. If you haven’t yet heard the breaking news, there were multiple attacks across the city this evening, with initial reports of several dead and a hostage situation. We do not yet know many details, but we know this: there has been far too much violence, and far too many lives lost in terror attacks lately, whether in Israel or in Paris. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their families. Shabbat shalom,
Ezra S. Shanken |
|||
This is an official email sent to you from the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver. Federation respects and upholds an individual’s right to privacy and to protection of his or her personal information. We use personal data for providing up-to-date information on our objectives, services, and to process donations. |
|||
Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver | Suite 200, 950 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver, BC |
Something powerful happens when we take time out of our regular routines and come together with others who share our passions and our purpose. There’s an energy that builds and rejuvenates us, inspires us, and ultimately strengthens us. By virtue of my role as CEO, I’ve been incredibly privileged to have gathered with some of the best and brightest Jewish communal professionals and volunteer leaders over the past few weeks, and it has left me feeling more positive, more hopeful, and more energized about our community than ever before. 
