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This morning we heard news of a kidnapped soldier, Second Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, and the rising death toll on both sides as the ceasefire collapsed between Israel and Hamas. Hadar Goldin is 23 years old and engaged to be married shortly. We continue to keep all those affected by this terrible crisis in our thoughts and prayers as we end another tense week of conflict. Rabbi Rosenblatt from Schara Tzedeck has sent out tehillim for those who want to say prayers on Hadar's behalf.

There are times when I sit in my office, like many of you, watching the news stream in and feeling a sense of powerlessness. Then, I realize we all have the potential to do something to help during these difficult times. My friends at our Federation partner in Colorado describe it as helping to maintain the "Social Iron Dome of Israel". Just as the famous Iron Dome provides physical protection, the "Social Iron Dome" provides respite, care for the vulnerable, financial assistance, and emotional support for civilians and soldiers. I hope you will take a moment to support those who are in need in Israel by contributing to any of the special campaigns, including Jewish Federation’s Israel Relief Fund.

We have seen incredible support from both our community and others across British Columbia. A hearty thank you to everyone who attended our community gathering at Temple Sholom on Sunday. Read the inspirational Am Israel Chai written and delivered at the gathering by Rabbi Dan Moskovitz. I also want to publicly praise our very own Premier Christy Clark for her support of Israel, and the Vancouver Sun and The Province for their editorials validating the Premier's right to extend support to Israel. I hope that you will take a moment to contact Premier Clark to thank her for her support by clicking here.

Visit to Moishe House
On Thursday, we welcomed Jordan Fruchtman from the Moishe House office. As the funders of the local Moishe House, we are thrilled to maintain such a close and collaborative relationship. I also had the opportunity to visit the house and sit down with the local residents. Our Moishe House, Canada’s first, is part of the world-wide network that provides meaningful Jewish experiences to young adults in their 20’s, as they build vibrant, home-based communities. The house is warm and inviting and the residents exemplify the energetic young leaders we are fortunate to have in our community. To find out more about the full calendar of events being planned by the house, you can contact the residents here.

New funding for high school supplementary programs
Attracting Jewish teens to high school supplementary programs can be a real challenge. With busy lives and many competing demands for their attention, furthering their Jewish education may not be at the top of their list. That is why we have just piloted a new grant program directed toward our three largest supplementary high school providers: Beth Israel, Temple Sholom and Torah High. The grants are to facilitate innovative approaches to Jewish education and remove barriers such as membership fees. Each of the three providers offers a unique and engaging program open to all teens in the community. Encourage the teens in your circle to check out the programs and choose one that fits.

Tikva Housing Society partners in a new affordable housing project
Tikva Housing Society, a Federation partner, is one of six agencies participating in a non-profit consortium that will oversee the development, ownership and management of Storeys, a new 129-unit affordable rental housing development in Richmond. The development is being built on City of Richmond-owned property and will include ten units of affordable family housing, the first available to our community members. I visited the other Tikva sites earlier this week and was inspired by what we can do when we leverage tzedakah and government resources to bring those in need the dignity of having a place to live.

Parshat Devarim

Every month the Federation board invites one of our community Rabbis to present a brief dvar based on the parsha of the week and its implications for the work of Federation. Each month, I will be including the dvar in my Shabbat message. This week, I am sharing the words of Rabbi Louis Sutker, the interim rabbi for Or Shalom Synagogue.

This Sunday I will be marching with members of Axis, Federation’s young professional group, and CIJA in the annual Pride Parade in downtown Vancouver. The signs that we will be carrying will support Israel, our partner agencies and family in the LGBTQ community. I look forward to sharing my experience and information on the Yad b’Yad program in next week’s message.

I wish for each of you a week of blessing and peace both here and in Israel.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver