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Hanukkah in Vancouver is celebrated, appropriately, during the dark days of December. Just as the fast of Yom Kippur allows us to empathize with the hunger experienced daily by those living in poverty, so too the cold, wet darkness of Hanukkah in Vancouver reminds us of the darkness experienced by so many in our community. Over the remaining days of Hanukkah, let’s commit ourselves to not only battling the darkness with song and light, but also with acts of chesed for those who need our help to emerge from the darkness in their lives.

Our community celebrated its triumph over darkness in song at schools, numerous public menorah lightings, a Hanukkah-themed party for young adults and celebrations with public officials, both locally and nationally. I had the privilege of lighting the hanukkiah with the next generation of technology superstars studying at the Appleseeds Academy in Kiryat Shmona. In honor of Hanukkah, I want to share a short video of children celebrating the festival at a primary school in our partnership region in the north of Israel. Your generous support of Federation has resulted in the development of a quality music program that will benefit youth in the region well into the future.

Keep Calm and Hanukkah On
Over 220 young Jewish adults gathered to celebrate Hanukkah at the Fox Cabaret on Thursday evening. The event, co-sponsored by Axis Vancouver and Jewish National Funds’ JNFuture, with community sponsorship from Congregation Beth Israel, Moishe House and Temple Sholom, featured belly dancing, circus performances, food, drinks and music. It was a successful event that helped to strengthen the bonds of community and friendship for our leaders of the future. You can see photos from the event here.

Financial Resource Development Staff Changes at Federation
Cindy Behrmann, Federation’s Campaign Director since 2012, will be heading off to a well-deserved retirement after leading another successful Federation Annual Campaign. Mazel Tov! Michelle Pullan, Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy Director since 2011, will assume the role of Campaign Director effective January 5, 2015. Campaign coordinators Eva Bach and Anna Vander Munnik have been promoted to the role of Campaign Managers, with responsibility for the Men’s and Women’s Philanthropy divisions, respectively. Also returning in January from maternity leave will be Federation’s Director, Marketing & Communications Becky Saegert.

CIJA Advocacy in Action
On Monday evening, CIJA | Pacific Region welcomed more than 150 political and ethno-cultural leaders from across Metro Vancouver to its 2014 Hanukkah reception at Congregation Beth Israel. The event featured former Israeli MK and Adjunct Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Dr. Einat Wilf, who spoke about the de-legitimization of Israel and the ability of the Jewish state to overcome the challenges posed by decades of terror and excel as an innovative and vibrant democracy. Community members and our Federation board leadership had the opportunity to meet with many of the guests including Federal Cabinet Minister Hon. Kerry Lynne Findlay, NDP MP Nathan Cullen, Hon. Stockwell Day, BC’s Leader of the Official Opposition John Horgan, BC’s Attorney General Suzanne Anton and BC’s Minister of Education Peter Fassbender.

On Tuesday evening, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau spoke to an audience of 400 community members at the first of three town hall meetings, co-hosted by CIJA Pacific Region and Temple Sholom. Rabbi Dan Moskovitz moderated a discussion with Mr. Trudeau on issues of importance to Canada’s Jewish community, addressing themes and topics drawn from more than 150 questions submitted in advance by audience members. Similar sessions are being planned featuring both the NDP and Conservative leadership.

Federation Annual Campaign
This year’s Federation Annual Campaign has reached almost 94% of its $8 Million goal. But in order to reach this historic marker, we need every single gift! Every dollar makes a difference as the programs and services supported by Jewish Federation touch the lives of virtually every member of our community. Your gift to Federation Annual Campaign helps to ensure that critical services and programs are available to all. Make a gift to this year’s campaign and bring light to those in need in our community. Gifts received before December 31 will be eligible for a 2014 tax receipt.

Parshat Mikeitz

We continue to share reflections on the week’s parsha by young professionals from across North America. This week's Shabbat Message was written by Jewish Federations of North America National Young Leadership Cabinet member David Goldenberg from Chicago.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver