Chabbat Candlelighting 4:06 p.m. | Friday, November 21, 2014/28 Cheshvan 5775
 

This message has 441 words that will take about 2 to 3 minutes to read.

It has been another of those emotional weeks that have recently become all too familiar. I started the week celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Vancouver Section of the National Council of Jewish Women, then participated in Louis Brier Home and Hospital’s unveiling of their updated donor wall and later witnessed the passing of the torch between two great Presidents of our Jewish Community Centre.

On Tuesday morning, Israel’s Consul General, DJ Schneeweiss, met with a group of our young leaders over breakfast to discuss Israeli current events and the important role young adults play in building ties between our two countries. His visit was clouded by the chilling news of the synagogue attack in Jerusalem. The loss of four esteemed rabbis and an Israeli police officer in this week’s brutal attack leaves us pained and looking for ways to help those impacted. In that vein, the Jewish Agency Fund for the Victims of Terror is an option for providing much-needed support to families, like those of the slain rabbis, that have been left behind.

A Shabbat of Solidarity
The Centre for Israel & Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and the Canadian Rabbinic Caucus have organized a Shabbat of Solidarity in response to this week’s synagogue attack. The initiative encourages and provides suggestions for individuals, families and congregations to join together in demonstrating unity and resolve in the face of terrorism.

King David High School (KDHS) - Partnership2Gether Student Exchange Visit
Through Jewish Federation’s Partnership2Gether Gesher Chai program, students from KDHS are building lasting ties with their sister school, Har Vagai, from our partnership region of the Upper Galilee Panhandle. Twenty-four students, accompanied by two teachers, arrived in Vancouver earlier this week as part of an annual exchange visit. These exchanges help to deepen local students’ connections with Israel, and build lasting ties between our two communities.

Federation Annual Campaign
The Federation Annual Campaign is just over 75% of the way towards achieving its $8 million goal. Meeting the goal would make this year’s campaign the largest ever in the history of the Vancouver Jewish community. And it would go a long way towards addressing so many needs in our community. Make a gift and make a difference today.

Parshat Toldot

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 Engagement & Orientation and newly announced Retreat Co-chair Michelle Hirsch, from Cleveland.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver

 
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