This message has 711 words and takes about 3-4 minutes to read.

Last night, I had the pleasure of speaking at the conclusion of ZLC Financial Group’s charity golf tournament at Richmond Country Club. Every year, golfers raise money for various causes, including Jewish Federation’s campership program which provides support to families who otherwise can’t afford to send their children to Jewish summer camp. We leverage our community’s success, with the support of friends on the golf course and around our community, to help families choose Jewish experiences for their kids, and partner with other faith communities on projects in the Lower Mainland, Israel and around the globe.

Update on Israel
Operation Protective Edge has not officially ended, but there is optimism regarding current negotiations to reach a long-term ceasefire in Gaza. Karen James, Israel and Overseas Affairs Committee Chair, recently completed an Israel solidarity mission and shared her experience.

The extended ceasefire provides an opportunity for those impacted by the conflict to focus on social, emotional and economic recovery. Our Jewish Federation partners continue to provide the critical support needed to ensure the well-being of the most vulnerable Israelis impacted by the crisis. You can help by contributing to the Israel Relief Fund.

Building bridges of fellowship
A number of our lay leaders joined me for a meeting with Rabbi Yechiel Z. Eckstein, founder and chairman of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews® of Canada, and the Honorable Stockwell Day, who serves as a director. Rabbi Eckstein has devoted the past 27 years to building bridges of cooperation between Christians and Jews, and working together to support Israel and Jews in desperate need throughout the world.

JCC Day Camp hosts participants from across the region
Participation in Jewish camp programs is one of the most significant factors in maintaining Jewish identity. We were happy to welcome 16 day campers from Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley and Maple Ridge to a week-long session at Camp Shalom this week, as part of a regional initiative to enable Jewish youth to participate in community activities. From all accounts, they arrived at camp in the morning full of energy, left in the afternoon with smiles on their faces, and enjoyed the opportunity to form new Jewish friendships. Many of the campers who participated last year had such a good time and made such strong friendships that they returned for the winter and spring day camp programs. The initiative is funded by Jewish Federation in collaboration with the JCC and Jewish Family Service Agency.

Visiting Interdisciplinary Center students
On Sunday evening, I joined two extraordinary students, participating in the “Israel at the Heart Ethiopian Scholarship” program from the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya, for a welcome dinner at the home of Phyllis and Michael Moscovich. Meytal Zauda emigrated from Ethiopia when she was four years old and is currently completing her degree in Law and Government. She will gain invaluable experience working at Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP. Noar Baruch was born In Israel of Ethiopian immigrant parents and is studying Business & Accounting. The time he spends at the Lanyard Group of Companies will help him fulfil his dream of becoming a CFO. Thanks to Jeffery and Sonia Hayes, and Benjamin and Nancy Goldberg for hosting these two students, and to Phyllis and Michael for their roles in coordinating the visit.

Federation Annual Campaign
For the past few weeks our campaign leadership and staff have been working to complete preparations for our Federation Annual Campaign, including training volunteers and planning fall events, such as the Federation Annual Campaign Opening scheduled for September 21.

If you haven’t yet purchased your tickets for what promises to be an entertaining and inspiring event, featuring Joshua Malina (co-star of the hit television series The West Wing and Scandal), 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.

Parshat Eikev

Every week, members of Jewish Federations of North America’s National Young Leadership Cabinet take a moment to share their thoughts about the week’s parsha. I will periodically share their thoughts with you to bring different voices and perspectives on the parsha from our community.

This week’s Shabbat message was written by Jewish Federation of North America (JFNA) National Young Leadership Cabinet member Jacob Ratner (2014) from Dallas.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver