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JCC Day Camp Hosts Special Burquest Session
Twenty young campers from the Tri-Cities area, many of whom are connected with the Burquest Jewish Community Association, attended a week long session of the JCC’s Camp Shalom. The campers were able to participate in the many activities offered during the week and connect with other Jewish campers from around the Lower Mainland. Strengthening our regional communities is an important priority for Jewish Federation, and this collaboration between Jewish Federation, the JCC, and the Burquest Jewish Community Association is a positive example.

Richmond Service Hub Closer to Reality
Another regional initiative that is moving forward is the formation of the Richmond Community Service Hub. Expanding Jewish social services to meet the needs of seniors residing in Richmond was the major impetus for the hub concept. A planning committee comprised of representatives from Beth Tikvah Congregation, Chabad of Richmond, Kehila Society for Richmond, Richmond Jewish Day School, Jewish Family Service Agency, the JCC, Jewish Seniors Alliance and Jewish Federation has been meeting for over a year to move from concept to reality. As the planning has progressed the hub has evolved from a single focus on seniors to a more broad-based community service hub. We have just signed a three-year lease for space that is centrally located and accessible by bus and the Canada Line. The committee is now moving forward on developing the service delivery model. Special thanks to Richmond Jewish community leaders Andrew Altow and Jeff Topp, who have given generously of their time to find and negotiate the space, and to Howard Harowitz, who has guided the whole process with patience and tenacity.

Federation Annual Campaign Off to Strong Early Start
During these past few weeks our campaign leadership and staff have been working to complete preparations for our Annual Campaign, including training volunteers, planning fall events, and making their own gifts in preparation for reaching out to others. Midway through August we have already closed $1.1 million in gifts.

If you haven’t yet purchased your tickets for the Federation Annual Campaign Opening featuring Jason Alexander, you’ll want to do that soon while there are still great seats available. Purchase online. Beat the last minute rush and buy your tickets today.

Parashat Ki Teitzey
This week’s parasha opens with the phrase “ki teitzey milchama – when you go to war with your enemies…” Phrased in this way it emphasizes the inevitability of having enemies, and having to battle with them. It is sad and painful to realize that the evils within human society were already recognized so many centuries ago, such that our tradition includes language that says “when” rather than “if”. This week’s headlines shout of more bloodshed and violence as the streets of Egypt have erupted again. The Syrian civil war is spilling over into Lebanon. Great Britain and Spain are sparring verbally over Gibralter and threatening to escalate. Around our world, conflict rages in many regions.

In the midst of all this, peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders have begun after a five year hiatus. We hope, of course, that the negotiations will result in steps towards peaceful resolution of the conflict. I fear, however, that the cumulative mistrust on both sides will undermine any real chance of a breakthrough. Most distressing is the actions of those around our world, including here in our own region, who continue to invoke language of fear, intimidation, and delegitimization in order to further poison the atmosphere. Those who truly love peace should act to help create a climate of trust and risk-taking. Any other course simply aims to prolong conflict.

Must war always be inevitable, or can we work to enhance the better side of human nature? Maybe we can write a new chapter that begins “when you make peace…”

Shabbat shalom!