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Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver

November 9, 2018 | 1 Kislev 5779 | Candlelighting at 4:20 p.m.

This message has 814 words and will take about 4 minutes to read.

We gathered in incredible numbers at events this past week where we felt the strength and support that comes with being part of a caring community.

Thousands of us were joined by friends of our community and representatives of other faith-based and ethno-cultural groups to celebrate Shabbat together in solidarity with Pittsburgh. Synagogues and places of worship were packed, and it felt right to be together.

We would like to thank to our director of security, Daniel Heydenrych; our Community Security Advisory Committee, chaired by Bernard Pinsky; the Greater Vancouver Jewish Community Security Volunteer Team; and local law enforcement who stepped up their patrols. If you would like to get involved, the Volunteer Team is looking for men and women to join; please click here for more information. It was heartening to see the support from so many elected officials from across the political spectrum and from every level of government. We would also like to thank the rabbis across our community for leading the way with the Solidarity Shabbat and for helping our community come together in a way that held so much meaning.

The next night, Sunday, we hosted 500 women at Choices to celebrate the commitment that women in our community make to tzedakah through the Federation Annual Campaign. Kol hakavod to the Choices co-chairs, Sharon Goldman, Alyssa Schottland-Bauman and Jane Stoller, as well as Megan Laskin, chair of Women’s Philanthropy, for an inspiring evening. Many thanks to our event sponsors, A&B Party & Event Rentals and Modern Green Canada, for their generous support.

We were deeply honoured that Dr. Sherri Wise shared her story of surviving a triple suicide bombing; her message of hope and resilience was extremely powerful. She was followed by Jeannie Smith, daughter of the late Irene Gut OpDyke z”l, who saved the lives of twelve Jews during the Holocaust while she worked for a high-ranking Nazi official.

The event truly showcased the power that one person has to make a difference. Choices also showed the impact we make as a community. Seeing so many women together, all of whom have made the choice to support our community, brought home how the impact of our individual actions can be magnified. Every gift to the Annual Campaign counts, so if you haven’t yet made yours we’re here to remind you that now is the perfect time.

The power of individuals to make a difference was also on display at the ceremony honouring the late Dirk and Klassje Kalkman z”l, which was presented by the Consulate General of Israel in Toronto and Western Canada and the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem. We were proud to sponsor the event alongside our partners, the JCC and the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre. Being present as a family was honoured as Righteous Among the Nations was an unforgettable experience. Read more here.

This week our community also honoured the memory of Yitzchak Rabin z”l. In addition to the memorial event at the JCC, about 750 children, youth and adults attended programs throughout the week, which Jewish Federation was proud to support. A big todah rabbah to all involved in organizing these events, including Habonim Dror Camp Miriam and our Shin-shinim.

And now we find ourselves preparing to welcome Shabbat on the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht. The Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre did a remarkable job, as they do every year, with their annual commemorative event, which they presented in partnership with Congregation Beth Israel and the Azrieli Foundation. Chris Friedrichs, Professor Emeritus of History at UBC, was the speaker, and Holocaust Survivors were invited to light candles. Many in the room remarked that it was the biggest Kristallnacht gathering they could recall.

This anniversary comes just after Prime Minister Trudeau issued a formal apology on behalf of the Government of Canada for its refusal to grant asylum to Jewish refugees aboard the MS St. Louis in 1939 - a decision that condemned hundreds to death. Alex Cristall, vice chair of our Board, represented us at Parliament and told us it was a very powerful moment. For more on the St. Louis apology in the Canadian Jewish News, including reflections from the sole survivor in Canada and the full text of the apology, click here.

When Shabbat is over, it will be time to reflect again, this time on those who paid the ultimate price while serving our country. In honour of Remembrance Day, the Shanken family is sponsoring a screening of GI Jews, a film featuring my grandfather, Rabbi Sidney Shanken, who served as Bombardier/Navigator in WWII. Please join us on November 13th for this important film about how Jews impacted the Second World War. You can purchase tickets here.

As much as we looked back this week, we also recognized that we are living tomorrow’s history today. Many of us are feeling ready to step out of remembrance and into action - action that we must undertake to stand up for what is just and to repair the world.

Shabbat Shalom.

Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver

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