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I write on a rainy Vancouver Friday. It is hard to believe that I was in Ottawa this past Monday, joining mayors and volunteer leaders from our partnership region in the Galilee, because it seems so long ago. Also, it has been over two weeks since our boys went missing in Israel. Many of us have watched the Times of Israel interview with one of the mothers, Rachel Fraenkel. I was struck by her poise and strength in the face of uncertain circumstances.

As my first Canada Day approaches this Tuesday, Rachel and I will be joining other community members across Canada in a show of solidarity with these strong parents and missing children by tying three yellow ribbons on the tree outside our house. We invite you to join us in this show of support.

It is important to note this week’s positive development on the Israel front, as Shimon Peres became part of an elite group of foreign leaders to receive the Congressional Gold Medal in Washington, DC. The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver joins the Jewish Federation of North America in praising President Peres for all that he has accomplished on behalf of the State of Israel and Jews around the world.

Celebrating Axis’ 1st Anniversary

Last night, 150 young Jewish professionals celebrated the 1-year anniversary of Axis, Jewish Federation’s young adult initiative. The white party themed event, co-chaired by Justine Levenberg and Bryan Hack and hosted and sponsored by LoungeWorks, included a photobooth, dancing, food and drink.

Axis lay leaders and the young adult community have much to celebrate. Since launching last year, Axis volunteers have been running full speed ahead, developing programs and events so they and their peers can meet other young Jews, become leaders, travel, have fun, volunteer and make a positive impact in our community.

As Axis moves into its second year, the steering committee will work closely with the young adult community to develop programs that are meaningful and relevant to this generation of upcoming leaders. For more information or to get connected, visit the Axis website or contact Dana Troster.

Vancouver Talmud Torah Groundbreaking

I want to congratulate the board, staff, fundraising committee and all of the community donors who have collectively ensured that Vancouver Talmud Torah will meet its goal of building a 21st century school for their growing school family. This tremendous achievement was celebrated with a ground-breaking ceremony this past Sunday. Yasher Koach on this very important milestone.

The Partnership2Gether (P2G) Coast to Coast (CTC) Joint Steering Committee meeting

The Canada-Galilee Panhandle Partnership, established in 1997 by the Jewish Agency For Israel, twins seven Coast-to-Coast Canadian communities – Atlantic Canada, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Hamilton – with five Galilee Panhandle development towns and councils – Galil Elyon, Kiryat Shmona, Metulla, Mevo’ot HaHermon, and Yessod HaMa’ala.

The P2G CTC Joint Steering Committee meets every 6 months in Israel (November) and Canada (June). Last week, Ottawa’s Federation hosted the 2014 meeting. The June 2015 meeting will be hosted by Vancouver.

In Ottawa, we discussed a number of current and new projects that are to be implemented in Israel, taking care to ensure that each of these is focused on making a real and tangible difference in people’s lives. Whether it’s building new facilities, bringing together Jewish youth, or providing a nurturing environment for children in Israel, the CTC Partnership, funded with your generous gift to Federation’s Annual Campaign, is dedicated to effecting real change in our partnership region.

The most recent initiative, High Priority Programming (HPP), identified and launched a series of programs and projects that the Galilee Panhandle’s towns and regional councils consider to be of the highest priority. Ranging from informal education to youth leadership, these programs are expected to create an even greater impact on the region and its residents.

We also took time to discuss the partnership’s future; think strategically about where we would like it to be five years from now; and consider the on-going role of Canadian partner communities in contributing to the region’s continued growth, development and success.

Parshat Chukat

This week’s dvar was prepared by our own Karen James and distributed as Jewish Federation of North America’s National Women’s Philanthropy (NWP) Shabbat message.

Thanks to Karen for her thoughtful reflection and being such an outstanding representative of our community as a NWP Board member.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver