Shabbat Candlelighting 9:04 p.m.                                             Friday, June 21, 2013/13 Tammuz 5773
 

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Federation AGM Brings New Leadership Forward
Last night’s Annual General Meeting provided an opportunity to recognize the leadership contributions of Mitch Gropper, who is completing his tenure as board chair, as well as Mark James and Diane Switzer as Annual Campaign leaders. Mark has completed three years as general chair, and Diane completed two years as chair of Women’s Philanthropy.

Although the election of new officers takes place at the next Jewish Federation board meeting, which will happen in July, we are thrilled that the slate includes:

  • Diane Switzer, who will step in the board chair role
  • Karen James, who will succeed Ted Zacks as vice-chair,Israel and Overseas Affairs
  • Harvey Dales as general chair, Federation Annual Capaign
  • Judith Cohen as chair, Women’s Philanthropy
  • Vivian Claman, Myriam Freedman, Jonathan Kallner, Renee Katz, and Doug Pulver, who are joining the board as at-large directors.

Federation Annual Report Now Available
Our 2012-13 Annual Report is now available online in a fresh new format that’s interactive and easier to read. The report covers the fiscal year of April 1, 2012 – March 31, 2013. We’d love your feedback on the new online format – please email Becky Saegert, our Marketing and Communications director with your comments.

New Young Adult Initiative launched
Jewish Federation has launched a new program – Axis – to help young adults build their own community connections. Guided by a steering committee of passionate and dedicated young leaders, Axis serves as a platform for those in their 20s and 30s to make connections and get involved through programs that are meaningful and relevant to them, including social events, tikkun olam projects, leadership development and travel opportunities. As a result of working collaboratively with community young adult groups, the Axis website is a central point for information on Jewish events and resources from various organizations in Vancouver. You can also find Axis on Facebook at facebook.com/AxisVancouver.

Axis is holding its official launch party June 27th at the CBC Studio in downtown Vancouver. Tickets are $10 in advance at axisvancouver.com. To get involved, contact Dana Troster at dtroster@jewishvancouver.com or phone 604.257.5128.

VHEC Presents Kron Segal Awards for Holocaust Education
The Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre presented its Kron Sigal Awards for Excellence in Holocaust Education to two educators at its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday. The awards are presented annually to BC teachers who demonstrate dedication to teaching students about the Holocaust and its important lessons for humankind. Gerry Chidiac of Duchess Park Secondary School in Prince George and Kayla Dominelli of Springvalley Middle School in Kelowna, are both proponents of combining historical lessons with project-based learning, empowering students to promote social justice and human rights awareness in their homes, schools, and communities. According to Adara Goldberg, the VHEC’s education director, “Chidiac and Dominelli are truly the epitome of extraordinary teachers. Their thoughtfulness, compassion, and commitment to education gives great hope for a brighter tomorrow.”

Parashat Balak
This week’s parasha includes the story in which King Balak of Moab engages Balaam, a prophet, to curse the Israelites. But, when Balaam sets to fulfill the task and the moment comes to utter the curse, he can’t control his words, and instead offers a blessing: “How goodly are your tents, O Jacob; your dwelling places”.

In a week in which my family and I have been dealing with the warm emotional outpouring from the community in response to the news that we would be leaving, it is no great leap to relate to these words, as our immediate past board chair, Michael Fugman, did last night.

For our family, the Jewish community of the Lower Mainland has been a wonderful dwelling place. This is true not only in the sense of a beautiful place to live physically, but it is even more so with respect to the warmth, commitment, diversity and passion that this community exudes. Our time here has been a blessing in so many wonderful ways beyond our hopes and expectations.

Thank you to all who have taken the time personally over the past week to share their thoughts with us about our upcoming transition.

Shabbat shalom!


 
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