April 11, 2025 | 13 Nissan 5785 | Candle lighting at 7:42 p.m.

This message has about 990 words and will take about 3.5 minutes to read.
 

Earlier this week, we issued a joint statement with our advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), addressing the harmful antisemitic remarks made by newly elected Vancouver City Councillor Sean Orr on social media. 

Antisemitism is on the rise and affects all of us deeply. We are firmly committed to holding those responsible accountable and fighting hate. You can still support our efforts by contributing to the Combatting Antisemitism Fund.

Now, in keeping with our tradition before both Passover and Rosh Hashanah, here is our community security update from Jason Murray, chair of our Community Security Advisory Committee.

I would like to start and end this Passover message with an invitation to learn, volunteer, and act as vigilant protectors of our community’s safety. 

Continued Opportunities to Learn and Volunteer 

I’m pleased to share that training opportunities continue, largely through the efforts of our Associate Director of Community Security, Mike Foster, whose work takes him throughout Metro Vancouver, to British Columbia’s interior, Victoria, and Vancouver Island. Our Federation offers safety and security training on its own and in collaboration with other community partners and local law enforcement, including through SCN’s courses in threat identification and awareness, de-escalation and disengagement, and the American College of Surgeons’ Stop the Bleed® Program. As Mike and his colleagues look to explore additional partnerships to expand training opportunities, I’m hopeful that we’ll soon be able to offer even more.  

As we have shared here before, many of those who undertake training are part of our “Bitachon” community security volunteering initiative, a dedicated and growing cadre of volunteers who act as “eyes and ears” in support of private security guards and local law enforcement at community events and programs, and who are supported by our Federation’s security professionals.

Looking Beyond Our Own Backyard 

Early last December, several Canadian Jewish communities met in Montreal to discuss how we might collaborate to share best practices and knit together and build strong regional and national systems alongside security initiatives of Jewish Federations Canada – UIA and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA). The meetings and briefings offered professionals and volunteers an important opportunity to share successes, identify shortcomings, and encourage innovation in how we better ensure our local, regional and national communities are safe.

Though our Federation’s professionals and volunteers have much to share with communities larger and smaller than ours, we likewise have much to learn and recognize the ever-present need to adapt to changing circumstances. 

With that in mind, our Community Security Advisory Committee is set to thoughtfully revisit what safety and security programs we offer throughout our province, and how we deliver them, with a focus on innovating and collaborating well beyond Greater Vancouver, including with the relatively new independent community security agencies established in Montreal and Toronto.   

A Word from our Community Security Team

Our Federation’s important work to enhance our community’s safety would be impossible without the dedication of its volunteers and generosity of our Federation’s donors. But neither might succeed in securing our community were it not for the tireless professionalism of our Federation’s community security professionals. It is most appropriate, then, to close with words of advice and a call to action from our Community Security Team: 

“As we prepare to celebrate Passover, a time of reflection and togetherness, let’s also remain vigilant. If you see something concerning, say something. Your awareness and observations help keep our community safe. We encourage you to enjoy the holiday while staying alert and proactive. If you notice anything unusual, don’t hesitate to reach out and report it.” 

Wishing you all a chag Pesach kasher v’same’ach. 

Security is not dependent on any one individual—it is a coordinated, professional effort grounded in proven systems and protocols. Under the leadership of our current security team and the guidance of the Community Security Advisory Committee, we continue to review, adapt, and strengthen our protocols to meet evolving needs and ensure your safety.

As we gather around our seder tables this year, we are reminded of the power of asking questions and exploring our shared history and traditions.

CIJA has prepared a Seder discussion guide, Four More Questions, as your tool to engage friends and family about what the Passover story means in the context of a federal election. Download your guide here.

Here a special Passover greeting from our board chair, Lana Marks Pulver, on behalf of all of us at Federation.

We also invite you to read this powerful Pesach editorial by Reut Amit, chair of our Antisemitism Task Force, that was published in The Times of Israel.

Please note that our office will be closed on Monday, April 14th, for Passover.  Wishing you and loved ones a meaningful seder. 

Shabbat shalom and chag  Pesach sameach, 

Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver

Copyright © 2025 Jewish Federation of British Columbia, All rights reserved.


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April 11, 2025 | 13 Nissan 5785 | Candle lighting at 7:42 p.m.

This message has about 990 words and will take about 3.5 minutes to read.
 

Earlier this week, we issued a joint statement with our advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), addressing the harmful antisemitic remarks made by newly elected Vancouver City Councillor Sean Orr on social media. 

Antisemitism is on the rise and affects all of us deeply. We are firmly committed to holding those responsible accountable and fighting hate. You can still support our efforts by contributing to the Combatting Antisemitism Fund.

Now, in keeping with our tradition before both Passover and Rosh Hashanah, here is our community security update from Jason Murray, chair of our Community Security Advisory Committee.

I would like to start and end this Passover message with an invitation to learn, volunteer, and act as vigilant protectors of our community’s safety. 

Continued Opportunities to Learn and Volunteer 

I’m pleased to share that training opportunities continue, largely through the efforts of our Associate Director of Community Security, Mike Foster, whose work takes him throughout Metro Vancouver, to British Columbia’s interior, Victoria, and Vancouver Island. Our Federation offers safety and security training on its own and in collaboration with other community partners and local law enforcement, including through SCN’s courses in threat identification and awareness, de-escalation and disengagement, and the American College of Surgeons’ Stop the Bleed® Program. As Mike and his colleagues look to explore additional partnerships to expand training opportunities, I’m hopeful that we’ll soon be able to offer even more.  

As we have shared here before, many of those who undertake training are part of our “Bitachon” community security volunteering initiative, a dedicated and growing cadre of volunteers who act as “eyes and ears” in support of private security guards and local law enforcement at community events and programs, and who are supported by our Federation’s security professionals.

Looking Beyond Our Own Backyard 

Early last December, several Canadian Jewish communities met in Montreal to discuss how we might collaborate to share best practices and knit together and build strong regional and national systems alongside security initiatives of Jewish Federations Canada – UIA and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA). The meetings and briefings offered professionals and volunteers an important opportunity to share successes, identify shortcomings, and encourage innovation in how we better ensure our local, regional and national communities are safe.

Though our Federation’s professionals and volunteers have much to share with communities larger and smaller than ours, we likewise have much to learn and recognize the ever-present need to adapt to changing circumstances. 

With that in mind, our Community Security Advisory Committee is set to thoughtfully revisit what safety and security programs we offer throughout our province, and how we deliver them, with a focus on innovating and collaborating well beyond Greater Vancouver, including with the relatively new independent community security agencies established in Montreal and Toronto.   

A Word from our Community Security Team

Our Federation’s important work to enhance our community’s safety would be impossible without the dedication of its volunteers and generosity of our Federation’s donors. But neither might succeed in securing our community were it not for the tireless professionalism of our Federation’s community security professionals. It is most appropriate, then, to close with words of advice and a call to action from our Community Security Team: 

“As we prepare to celebrate Passover, a time of reflection and togetherness, let’s also remain vigilant. If you see something concerning, say something. Your awareness and observations help keep our community safe. We encourage you to enjoy the holiday while staying alert and proactive. If you notice anything unusual, don’t hesitate to reach out and report it.” 

Wishing you all a chag Pesach kasher v’same’ach. 

Security is not dependent on any one individual—it is a coordinated, professional effort grounded in proven systems and protocols. Under the leadership of our current security team and the guidance of the Community Security Advisory Committee, we continue to review, adapt, and strengthen our protocols to meet evolving needs and ensure your safety.

As we gather around our seder tables this year, we are reminded of the power of asking questions and exploring our shared history and traditions.

CIJA has prepared a Seder discussion guide, Four More Questions, as your tool to engage friends and family about what the Passover story means in the context of a federal election. Download your guide here.

Here a special Passover greeting from our board chair, Lana Marks Pulver, on behalf of all of us at Federation.

We also invite you to read this powerful Pesach editorial by Reut Amit, chair of our Antisemitism Task Force, that was published in The Times of Israel.

Please note that our office will be closed on Monday, April 14th, for Passover.  Wishing you and loved ones a meaningful seder. 

Shabbat shalom and chag  Pesach sameach, 

Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver

Copyright © 2025 Jewish Federation of British Columbia, All rights reserved.


Unsubscribe.