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Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver

October 12, 2018 | 3 Cheshvan 5779 | Candlelighting at 6:09 p.m.

This message has 737 words and will take about 3 minutes to read.

It was on this day in 1940 that the Warsaw Ghetto was established. Nearly half a million Jews struggled to survive within the walls they were forced to build with their own hands. Eighty thousand people died in the ghetto, under horrific conditions, living half a dozen to a single room, and starving. And yet artists and intellectuals continued to create. Underground libraries and even a symphony provided escape, and a reminder of residents’ previous lives.

We Jews have long held onto art as a vital means for expression, or even rebellion. So it’s fitting that the timing this week of a Hasidic rabbi’s viral Facebook post seems almost poetic, on this anniversary of the founding of the largest European ghetto during the War.

Rabbi Zalmen Wishedsk wrote his post about sitting next to a German house painter named Roland on a flight to Israel from Switzerland. Roland travels to Israel once or twice a year to renovate the homes of Holocaust survivors. “Roland claims that he’s there to show Holocaust survivors in Israel and around the world that the Germans are not the same people they were 70 years ago,” the rabbi wrote before concluding with thanks to Roland.

The Facebook post was not poetic, but its tale of devotion, kindness and healing may well be.

These are the stories that we hold onto in hard times. These are the stories that remind us that the challenges we face are challenges worth solving. Together.

In our video for the Annual Campaign, we see a variety of challenges facing our community depicted individually - the affordability crisis, the accessibility of Jewish programs and services to Jews living in regional communities, the needs of at-risk youth in our partnership region in Israel. And then we see them come together. It’s a grand vision, to see our entire community represented in a Star of David, challenges and triumphs and all. It's only about a minute long, so we hope you'll watch and share it.

Art helps us make sense of the challenges we face; it serves as a reminder to us of the importance of participating in Jewish community life. And in this case, it shows us what we contribute to when we make our gift to the Annual Campaign. Your gift supports the work of our partners throughout the Lower Mainland and around the world who are dedicated to improving the lives of Jews.

On November 4th, nearly 500 Jewish women will gather for the biggest Women’s Philanthropy event of the year, Choices, where they will be inspired by keynote speaker, Jeannie Smith, and the story of how her mother saved the lives of dozens of Jews during the Holocaust. It will certainly be a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have on the lives of others.

And it will be a reminder of the impact of Women’s Philanthropy, and the choices women in our community make to support the causes that mean the most to them. Golda Meir once said, “I would like to think that someday, when our dreams have been fulfilled, they will say that it was women giving of their ideas and resources that made the difference.”

We certainly saw that on Wednesday evening at a packed Spark a Mitzvah event, where women gathered for an enjoyable evening, and to support a series of Shabbat dinners. Each woman in attendance made a donation that helped fund two Shabbat dinners for residents of Yaffa Dunbar and other Jewish adults living with mental health issues and other challenges. Dinners will be catered by the JCC Bagel Club, a social enterprise that provides training and self-employment for adults facing barriers to traditional employment, such as disabilities. Spark a Mitzvah events are open to all women in our community, and are produced by the Lions of Judah, a Federation Annual Campaign recognition society.

This week was filled with important reminders: of our history, of our healing, of our connection to and responsibility for each other. Thinking of Rabbi Wishedsk’s and Roland’s flight to Israel, we’re so proud to support Birthright Israel through the Federation Annual Campaign. It is an experience that connects young people to our community and to our homeland, creating memories for a lifetime.

Birthright registration is open, and there are still seats on winter trips waiting to be filled – perhaps by someone you know. Please tell the young adults in your life about this incredible opportunity and encourage them to apply today.

Shabbat Shalom.

Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver

P.S. If you’re a podcast lover, please be sure to subscribe to receive a podcast version of the Shabbat Message each week.

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