Shabbat Candlelighting 8:53 p.m.               Friday, July 18, 2014/20 Tammuz 5774
 

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As the ground war has begun and we are learning of more loss of life, our hearts continue to break. However, I will say that as I write this I am hearing a sound in my office that reminds me that while some things are so different, other things remain the same. The sound is that of children from the camp at our JCC. Every Friday during the summer they gather at the amphitheater outside my office and sing and cheer the approaching Shabbat. The sound of those children’s voices act as the greatest aspirin for my pain.

In this week’s Shabbat Message prepared by Rebecca Caspi, Director General, Israel Office and Senior Vice President of Israel and Overseas with The Jewish Federations of North America, and featured below, she describes today as "not just another Friday”. Truer words could not have been written. Maybe no truer words have been spoken than those sung by the children outside my office - “Hine mah tov uMah-Nayim shevet achim gam yachad: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity”. Yachad is from the word Yachid which means absolute unity and has a higher connotation than just peace and harmony. Tonight, I encourage you to join Rachel and I in lighting an extra Shabbat candle as a symbol of unity with all those who are touched by the conflict this Shabbat, as suggested by Rabbi Dan Moskovitz.

Update on events in Israel

Yesterday, the Government of Israel announced the launch of a ground operation aimed at destroying Hamas’ military infrastructure. Locally, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people of Israel during these troubling times. We also extend condolences to the families and friends of the 298 passengers and crew who perished when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 crashed in eastern Ukraine yesterday.

Leaders from both the Reform & Conservative movements met with JFNA President and CEO Jerry Silverman and a delegation of Federation leaders earlier this week to discuss the important work they are doing in Israel. I am always amazed by what we can achieve when we work together, so I was thrilled to learn that both movements have joined the JFNA’s coalition in support of Israel during this time of crisis. As Operation Protective Edge continues, the Jewish Agency and JDC are working at full capacity to help mitigate the effects of ongoing rocket fire on a weary but resilient Israeli population.

You can support their efforts by contributing to Jewish Federation’s Israel Relief Fund.

Despite the constant rocket attacks, the Educators’ conference in our partner region is proceeding and three of our schools - King David High School, Vancouver Hebrew Academy and Talmud Torah - have participants attending. According to our partners in Israel, everyone is super energized and eager to strengthen our Coast To Coast Gesher Chai initiatives.

We had a group of Birthright participants return from Israel earlier this week and another group of ten scheduled to leave next Wednesday. NCSY currently has six programs active in Israel that includes participants from Vancouver. Program administrators continue to monitor the situation in Israel very closely and are working with Israeli government agencies to ensure the safety and security of participants.

I’d also like to acknowledge the invaluable support we’ve received from our Rabbis and community partners, who have met with us as this crisis has unfolded. A special thanks to CIJA for their work on the advocacy front. Their work with various levels of government and the many resources they have produced to guide local grassroots efforts are making a significant impact on the public’s understanding of the current situation.

Greater Vancouver chosen as pilot location for PJ Library expansion

Since its launch in 2010, PJ Library has sent Jewish-content books and music on a monthly basis to a total of 623 families and 922 children, through age five, at no charge. We have been selected by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation as one of ten pilot locations to expand the program to families with children between 6 – 8 years old. The Grinspoon Foundation grant was dependent upon us finding local matching donors and the number of donors who stepped up with matching funds is a testament to the success of the program. More information about how families can enroll their children in the expanded program will be made available in the fall.

Support Israel at the Surrey Fusion Festival
I want to encourage you to visit the Israeli pavilion at the Surrey Fusion Festival this Sunday, July 20, from 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Holland Park (across from the King George SkyTrain station). This is the first time that we are participating in this celebration of music, food and culture.

Shabbat Message

This week’s Shabbat Message, “Not Just Another Friday Morning” comes from the desk of Rebecca Caspi, Director General, Israel Office and Senior Vice President of Israel and Overseas, The Jewish Federations of North America.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver

 
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