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Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver

August 17, 2018 | 6 Elul 5778 | Candlelighting at 8:06 p.m.

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When we design the program for FEDtalks each fall, we invite speakers who have important things to say about issues that deeply affect our Jewish community - not only locally, but in Israel and around the world.

One of the four FEDtalks speakers who will kick off the upcoming Federation Annual Campaign is Israeli Olympic judo champion Arik Zeevi. Arik grew up in Bnei Brak, a city east of Tel Aviv that is one of the poorest and most densely populated in Israel. This area is not within our partnership region, but Arik faced a similar lack of opportunities as a child that children face in the Upper Galilee Panhandle.

Considered one of the greatest Israeli athletes of all time, Arik was introduced to judo by his older brother, and by the age of seven he was hooked. With no professional training facilities in Bnei Brak, Arik practiced at the local youth shelter until he won the national judo championship when he was just 15 years old—the youngest winner in Israel’s history.

Arik’s judo career was long and successful. The Olympic bronze medalist was the oldest judoku to win a European Championship as well as the first Israeli athlete to compete in four Olympic games. His 12-year career at such an elite level demanded intense focus, sacrifice and determination, and he attributes his success in part to the personal growth that comes through taking risks.

Since retiring from competitive judo in 2012, Arik has channeled his passion for sport and for supporting underprivileged youth into his not-for-profit organization, The Israeli Foundation for Olympic Excellence (IFOE). The program operates in our partnership region, where young people receive training in athletics as well as in life skills. Arik’s own experience as a young Israeli on the margins fuels his passion to see the power of sport develop youth and communities for the long term.

Don’t miss the chance to hear more of Arik’s story, his inspiring message, and how supporting efforts in our partnership region is a key part of keeping our community connected. Buy your FEDtalks tickets today.

We update you regularly about the goings-on in our partnership region, but of course we also closely follow events in the rest of Israel. As you know, the ongoing situation on the Gaza border continues to take a toll on residents, and we’d like to share an update from our partner, Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), about how we’re helping.

JFNA allocated nearly half a million dollars to help relieve suffering in Southern Israel caused by “kite arson” and to provide trauma counselling and support for a growing number of Israelis who have been impacted by increased strife along the Gaza border.

Federations provided funding for 100 children from border communities to participate in The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Summer Respite Camp, which offers children a reprieve from their daily hardships. Grants were also made so local organizations can purchase critical equipment such as radio transmitters and fire carts, bring experienced volunteer American firefighters to Israel, and support trauma counselling for the most vulnerable.

“Throughout Israel there is considerable tension and the security establishment is on high alert,” said JFNA President and CEO Jerry Silverman. “With our local partners we will continue to identify pressing needs in communities on the southern border. Fortunately, Federation-funded programs, established with emergency dollars in the aftermath of Operation Protective Edge, are in place, which support the resiliency of civilians living in towns near Gaza, providing real-time comfort and assistance during this tense period.”

We will remain in touch with our colleagues at JFNA as Federations across the continent continue to help.

The BC government has issued a state of emergency in response to the wildfire situation here at home, and we are grateful to the first responders who put their lives on the line day and night to keep us safe. We know many of you have been looking for a way to help, and we are working with our partner, Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, to put a mechanism in place for our community to support those affected by the wildfires. We’ll keep you informed through our social media next week, and will of course update you in the next Shabbat Message about how you can join our national Jewish community in helping.

Shabbat shalom,

Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver

P.S. Those of you who are in touch with me directly are often also in touch with my executive assistant. Please be sure to extend a warm welcome to Ricki Thal, who will begin in that position after Labour Day. And please join me in thanking Morgan Goldstein for her dedicated service, and in wishing her the best of luck as she continues her professional journey in New York.

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