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Today’s world is one of instant gratification. We have become a generation of me and now. All too often we rush, we push, and we want our needs met immediately, even if the solution is impermanent. It’s easy to be driven by individual needs, and we’ve all been guilty of doing that at some point. There is even an example of that in this week’s parsha. While the motivations behind the Golden Calf are often characterized as a lack of faith, we can also see them as impatience that leads to taking the quick and easy way of getting our desires met immediately rather than permanently. It reminds me of that anonymous quote, “There are always two choices. Two paths to take. One is easy. And its only reward is that it's easy.”

It begs the question: what must a convening community organization like Federation do to thrive in this environment?

At Federation we often weigh the interests of the moment with the need for solutions that will stand the test of time. Sometimes short term fixes can glitter like the Golden Calf, when what is really needed are solutions with the permanence of stone tablets. We are committed to taking the path that leads to lasting and meaningful solutions, rather than the one that is simply easy.

A case in point is the strategic visioning process that our Board embarked on last fall to re-examine our strategic priorities. The Board wants to ensure that Federation's strategic priorities reflect the broad diversity of our community, and take into account new and emerging needs.

Over the past 10 years there have been a lot of changes in our community, from geographic dispersal to the changing make up of families to the increased variety of education choices.

Through a combination of community conversations and individual interviews the input of a wide range of communal professionals, volunteers, and lay leaders is being sought. To date more than 48 people have participated in community conversations, and more sessions are scheduled for early April. The ideas and suggestions generated through this process will guide Federation’s priorities for the future. We will share the results of our conversations at our Annual General Meeting in June.

Methodically looking at community needs and inviting diverse voices to the table ensures that the resulting solutions are built on stone tablets rather than golden calves. Inevitably, taking a collaborative approach takes time while the process unfolds, but in the end we will achieve more meaningful outcomes. In that sense, parsha Ki Tissa serves as a reminder to come to the table, to be part of the conversation. Federation’s role as a convener depends on having you at the table, because individuals are the building blocks of our institutions and our community. I encourage you to let your voice be heard. Get involved in whatever way moves you, and with whichever organization or cause you feel passionately about.

Speaking of things we feel passionately about, this is as good an opportunity as any to shift gears and talk about one passion we all share – hockey. Kol hakavod to the JCC for bringing the Canada Israel Hockey School (CIHS) to Vancouver, and for their excellent work organizing the numerous CIHS events taking place in our community. Federation funds the CIHS program in our partnership region, which brings together Arab and Jewish kids to focus on their shared love of hockey. These kids have received top notch coaching while in Canada, and we’ve seen them bouncing through the JCC this week, having the time of their lives. It’s been wonderful to watch. If you did not have a chance to see Shane Foxman’s report on last night’s news, here is a link to the thoughtful interviews these kids gave to the CBC.

As we wind down our week, I would like to wish a full and speedy recovery to the five people who were injured in the Purim attack in Jerusalem yesterday. May they have an especially peaceful Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver