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February is Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) and it is a time when our community is united in efforts to ensure people with disabilities are included in all aspects of Jewish community life.

On February 6th, Jewish communal professionals, volunteers and family representatives from communities across Canada will travel to Ottawa where they will meet with elected officials to advocate for more robust support for people with disabilities and their families. Shelley Rivkin, our vice president of planning, allocations and community affairs will represent our community. This particular day was chosen because it is the Jewish Federations of North America and the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism’s Jewish Disability Advocacy Day.

Their discussions will focus on these areas:
1. advancing federal inclusion and accessibility legislation;
2. prioritizing affordable housing options for people with disabilities;
3. revising Canada’s medical inadmissibility policy, which prevents people with disabilities and their families from immigrating to Canada; and
4. advocating for legislation to remove employment disincentives for people with disabilities.

Many thanks to Jewish Federations of Canada–UIA (JFC-UIA) and our advocacy partner, The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, for their roles in organizing this.

Reuben Rotman, president and CEO of the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies, and Linda Kislowicz, president and CEO of JFC-UIA, wrote an article that was published this week in the Canadian Jewish News, which is a great resource if you are interested in learning more about JDAIM and the issues at play in both Canada and the United States. Learning more and educating ourselves is the first step toward a more inclusive community. “Building awareness,” they wrote, “opens us up to understanding. Understanding leads to consciousness, which leads to change. Our goal is to transform our communities by expanding our tent and enabling people of all abilities to reach their potential and participate fully. Our communities deserve no less.”

A key message of this year’s campaign has been, “we can’t afford to lose them.” Recognizing that growing unaffordability and the movement of community members farther and farther away from existing infrastructure has created barriers to connection to Jewish community life, we have focused much of our staff and volunteer efforts on strengthening emerging Jewish communities. The tagline of our Connect Me In initiative is “Creating Jewish Community Where you Live,” and we have shared with you many of the exciting new programs and activities have taken place in communities that include Maple Ridge, Langley, Surrey, Coquitlam, Port Moody and Squamish.

Building community is more than just organizing programs and events. It is about developing and fostering new leadership and supporting new and innovative approaches to address community needs. That is why we are so thrilled to announce our new Connect Me In Community Engagement Grants, which were made possible by a group of generous donors. We now have a new pool of funds to support initiatives generated by grassroots organizations and informal groups to create community. The grants are designed to kickstart some really creative ideas that just need a small infusion of funds to make them happen. Details about the grant program and application process will be released at the end of February. The grants will be reviewed by the Regional Communities Committee and approved by the Federation Board.

Each one of us has a stake in improving various aspects of our community, but rarely do we have the opportunity to have our say about what is arguably the most widely enjoyed structure any community has to offer. The JCC has submitted a rezoning application to allow a mixed-use development that includes a new JCC, family-oriented rental housing, and space for a new Louis Brier Home and Hospital. On February 7th you are invited to attend a public open house where there will be an opportunity to weigh in on what this development can, should and will become. I encourage you to attend the open house, learn about the proposal, and provide your feedback.

Shabbat shalom,

Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver