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August 21, 2026 | 8 Elul 5786 | Candle lighting at 7:59 p.m.
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This message has approximately 697 words and will take about 2.5 minutes to read.
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| A strong community is built in many ways: by caring for those in need, advocating for the vulnerable, preserving our history, and investing in the future. This week, we see all of those commitments reflected in the work taking place across Jewish British Columbia.
A Growing Foundation for a Growing Community
Jewish life in British Columbia is no longer centred in one city. From Vancouver Island to the Okanagan, the Sea-to-Sky corridor and beyond, Jewish communities are growing, connecting and creating new opportunities for engagement.
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| Reflecting that reality and following Federation's own transition to the Jewish Federation of BC, the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Vancouver has officially become the Jewish Community Foundation of British Columbia. Along with its new name, the Foundation has unveiled a refreshed visual identity and a new website at jewishcommunityfoundation.ca. |
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| As Foundation Chair Howard Kallner shared: "As the Jewish Foundation of Greater Vancouver becomes the Jewish Foundation of British Columbia, we are proud to embrace a name that reflects the growing reach of our community and our commitment to strengthening Jewish life across British Columbia for generations to come."
Turning Our Values into Action
A growing community also carries a responsibility to ensure that every member of our community can access the support they need.
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| This September, Jewish Family Services will once again launch Project Isaiah, our annual community-wide food drive. As classes resume and we prepare for the High Holy Days, Project Isaiah gives us the opportunity to come together and support individuals and families facing food insecurity across Greater Vancouver. |
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| Donation bags will be available at participating locations from September 10 to 23. Every contribution helps provide essential food and household staples to those who need them most.
To learn more about how you can support 1,600+ people in our community in accessing kosher, nourishing food, click here.
Standing Up for Our Seniors
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| Caring for community also means advocating for dignity, accessibility, and quality of life. Jewish Seniors Alliance of British Columbia is preparing to launch its province-wide Health Care Needs Home Care Campaign, which seeks to eliminate daily home support co-payments for seniors while improving equitable access to home support services across BC. |
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| This initiative reflects a simple but powerful principle: everyone deserves the opportunity to age with dignity and receive the care they need. Learn more here.
Remembering and Speaking Out
As we look after one another at home, we are also reminded of our responsibility to confront hatred and violence wherever they occur.
Today, August 21, marks the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, a day to honour victims of terrorism, stand in solidarity with survivors, and promote their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
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| In recognition of the day, CIJA, together with the Families of Canadian Victims of October 7, is launching a national mobilization and media campaign calling on Canadians to send a clear message to the federal government: Canada must take a stronger stand against terrorism, both abroad and here at home. Take action here. |
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Ensuring History Is Never Forgotten
That commitment to remembrance continues on September 2, when communities across the country will gather to mark the 53rd anniversary of the Munich Massacre. In partnership with Jewish Federations across Canada, CIJA and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame will present Witness to Munich: |
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| The Karen James Story, featuring a screening of a powerful documentary and a live conversation with Canadian Olympic swimmer Karen James, who witnessed the events of 1972 firsthand. |
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| As survivors and witnesses grow older, preserving these stories becomes even more important. Their testimony reminds us not only of what happened, but of why we must continue to stand against antisemitism and terrorism today. Register here. |
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| While remembrance calls us to learn from the past, community-building requires us to keep our eyes firmly on the future. I invite you to join my upcoming Rosh Hashanah Community Webinar, where we'll discuss the opportunities, challenges and priorities shaping our community in the months ahead.
Shabbat shalom,
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Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of British Columbia |
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| Hear from Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin. Get tickets. |
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| Learn about the Genocide of the Roma through film and discussion. RSVP here. |
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On this blog, I reflect on the resilience, compassion, and interconnectedness that define Jewish life across BC. Drawing on conversations with Community Connectors, volunteers, and families impacted by evacuations, we share stories of neighbours opening their homes, community members supporting one another, and the relationships that have been built across BC in recent years.
Learn more here. |
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