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February 6, 2026 | 19 Shevat 5786 | Candle lighting at 5:00 p.m.
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This message has approximately 700 words and will take about 3 minutes to read.
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| This February, we join communities across Canada in marking 30 years of Black History Month, a national moment to recognize Black excellence and the stories that have shaped and continue to shape our country. Within our Jewish community, Black Jews and Jews of colour are sharing experiences that broaden our understanding of identity, belonging, and representation in Jewish life. Their voices invite us to listen closely and make space for the full diversity already present in our communal circles. |
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| A powerful way to engage with these narratives is the Canadian short film Periphery, a project created by No Silence on Race in partnership with the Ontario Jewish Archives. The film opens a thoughtful conversation about visibility, intersectionality, and community. I encourage you to take a few moments to watch it and reflect on what it asks of all of us. Watch the film here. |
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| Together, these resources encourage us to widen our lens and celebrate the full tapestry of Jewish identity in Canada.
The Roadburg Campus, part of the University of Kiryat Shmona's next chapter.
As we shared in a previous Shabbat message, Tel‑Hai Academic College will transition into the University of Kiryat Shmona beginning in the 2026–27 academic year, positioning the campus as a catalyst for renewal in Israel’s North. And the good news doesn’t stop there.
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| The Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation has made a CAD $50 million leadership gift, the largest in the institution’s history, to establish the Roadburg Campus and accelerate applied research in AI, sustainable agriculture, and community resilience. This builds on an earlier CAD $8 million gift to Tel‑Hai and comes just as the region shifts from recovery to growth. |
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| The foundation, created in 2021 through the estate of Ronald S. Roadburg, a Vancouver businessman whose legacy continues to shape lives here at home, in Israel and around the world, focuses on strengthening Jewish and other at‑risk communities and tackling complex social challenges. This university investment is a natural expression of those values and of Vancouver’s long‑standing partnership with the Galilee Panhandle dating back to the mid‑1990s. Read more here.
Briefing on Iran — Webinar Recap
With those long‑standing bonds in mind, we also came together to understand a fast‑moving issue affecting Israel and Canada alike. Thanks to everyone who joined the webinar to make sense of Iran and why it matters.
We started with Behnam Ben Taleblu, who mapped what’s driving Tehran right now and what to watch next, from nuclear posture to proxies and sanctions.
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| From there, Michal Cotler‑Wunsh connected those moves to Israel’s reality, both on the security front and in the legal “lawfare” arena, shaping global perception. Finally, Noah Shack brought it home with the Canadian angle, policy implications, community security, and how we push back on hate here. Watch the briefing here. |
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Jewish Life After Disruption: Innovation, Institutions, and Leadership
Our Wexner Speaker Series is an extraordinary, ongoing chance to learn from scholars who are shaping Jewish life, designed to stretch our thinking and give us practical ideas we can bring back to community. |
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Next, we’ll be joined by Aaron Katler, CEO of UpStart, whose work accelerates Jewish social‑innovation ventures across North America. He brings a thoughtful and forward‑thinking perspective on how communities like ours can experiment, collaborate, and lead through periods of change.
Join us on February 22, 7:00–9:00 p.m. The program is free, thanks to support from the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation. Register here. |
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Get Wise BRCA Before Pilot Ends
One of the things I believe most strongly is that knowledge saves lives. That belief is at the heart of Get Wise BRCA, an initiative that continues to bring critical genetic health information to our community in a way that is free, confidential, and easy to access.
Right now, there is a time‑limited opportunity for eligible individuals to access free BRCA genetic testing through a BC Cancer pilot program that concludes on March 31, 2026.
For those with Jewish ancestry, the statistics are striking: approximately 1 in 40 people carry a BRCA mutation, compared to 1 in 400 in the general population. And yet, far too many people simply remain unaware. Early testing can be life‑saving, offering clarity, prevention options, and peace of mind for individuals and families alike. |
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| Thanks to the generosity of The Diamond Foundation, in partnership with the BC Cancer Foundation and the BC Cancer/Provincial Health Services Authority, individuals aged 19 and over in BC or the Yukon who have at least one Jewish grandparent can access testing. We are proud to be partners in this program and encourage you to learn more here. |
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Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver |
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| Early years applications are open for children born in 2021/22/23. More here. |
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| Join the Artists, Athletes & Community Leaders' mission. Click here. |
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| Bret Stephens, New York Times columnist and editor-in-chief of SAPIR, offers a bracing diagnosis of modern antisemitism and argues that it cannot be educated away, apologized for, or solved through allyship. Instead, he calls for Jewish confidence, cultural seriousness, and moral clarity in the face of rising hostility. Listen to the podcast here. |
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| Where We Keep the Light is an intimate portrait of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s life in public service and personal faith. Through stories of family, community, and leadership, Shapiro reflects on the lessons learned from listening, showing up, and taking on hard problems. Learn more here. |
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