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July 10, 2026 | 25 Tammuz 5786 | Candle lighting at 8:59 p.m.
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This message has approximately 1,115 words and will take about 4 minutes to read.
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| As I write this, I'm on the road travelling across British Columbia, connecting with Jewish communities throughout our province. |
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| Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit Penticton, where I joined community members for dinner alongside our Okanagan Community Connector, Abbey Westbury. Tonight, I'm looking forward to being in Nelson for a community Shabbat potluck and spending time with Jewish residents. |
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| These visits are a reminder that while our community may be spread across a vast province, the connections between us remain strong. Whether here in British Columbia or with our partners in Israel, relationships are at the heart of everything we do.
Much of the work happening in our partnership region in northern Israel takes place far from the spotlight, but its impact is felt every day. Before Shabbat, I wanted to share some encouraging news from the Galilee: stories of resilience, innovation, and the remarkable people helping build a stronger future for the region.
Resilience, Renewal, and Opportunity in the Galilee
Across northern Israel, lives are being rebuilt and futures reimagined. Through strategic investments in entrepreneurship, education, and community initiatives, Jewish Federation's Israel Office is helping strengthen the foundations for long-term growth and success.
Together with our Israel and Global Engagement Committee (IGEC) and dedicated partners across the region, we are proud to support the people and programs driving renewal today and building a stronger Galilee for generations to come.
A Meaningful Recognition for Our Community
This month, Jewish Federation of British Columbia was honoured to receive the 2026 Tel-Hai Dignitary Award, recognizing the longstanding partnership between our community and the Galilee.
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| Rachel Sachs, executive director of the Israel Office, accepted the award on behalf of our community. Alongside Federation, the award was also presented to Prof. Mooli Lahad for his lifelong contributions to trauma and resilience, and Prof. Ran Ziv, whose leadership has helped bring technology companies and employment opportunities to northern Israel. |
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| The award reflects the deep relationship our community has built with Tel-Hai and the Galilee over many years. As Aviva Lahav, director of global partnerships & development at Tel-Hai, shared:
"This is an expression of appreciation for the entire British Columbia community, which continues to stand beside Tel-Hai and the Galilee with extraordinary dedication and commitment, year after year."
While we are deeply honoured by this recognition, what makes us most proud is what it represents: decades of partnership, shared responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to the people of the Galilee.
Investing in the Future of the Galilee
This past month, our Israel Office also participated in several initiatives focused on the future of northern Israel.
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| At the Eastern Galilee Conference 2026, themed "Between Frontline and Vision: Shaping the Future of the Galilee," leaders, policymakers, educators, and community members gathered to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the region. Representing our community were David Fox, Chair of IGEC; Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt and Dr. Cerielle Rosenblatt; and Adi Kaye, associate director of our Israel Office. |
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| The conference, hosted at the Roadburg Campus of Tel-Hai University, highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation, and strategic investment in strengthening the Galilee and the meaningful role our community continues to play in that work.
Rabbi Rosenblatt said: "In the Galil, we met hundreds of leaders whose unwavering focus is protecting Israel by building and strengthening the north. The expansion of Tel Hai into a research university will reshape the region with talent and collaboration, made possible in large measure because of Vancouver’s generosity. They are hungry to partner with us, and we need to explore more ways to do that."
Empowering the Next Generation
One of the highlights of the month was participating in UniStream's Meizam HaShana (Project of the Year), Israel's largest youth entrepreneurship competition.
Through programs supported by our Federation, young leaders from Kiryat Shmona and the Eastern Galilee are developing the skills and confidence needed to help shape the future of their communities.
Our first-year EdVenture group from Kiryat Shmona presented their startup venture at the event, alongside three StartUp Now groups supported by IGEC.
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| We were honoured to have Hodie Khan (IGEC) join us and witness the event's impact.
We are especially proud that two groups from the UniStream Entrepreneurship Center Kiryat Shmona and Eastern Galilee, supported through our partnership and investment in the region, received special recognition.
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| The First Place Award in the StartUp Now category went to students from Ort Danziger Educational Center in Kiryat Shmona for MAP (Make A Pro), an AI-powered platform that helps gamers improve performance through personalized analysis and recommendations. |
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| The Audience Favourite Award was presented to the Kiryat Shmona first-year EdVenture team for their venture DUET, an app that connects teenagers around the world based on common interests and hobbies, such as sports, music, gaming, art, and technology, and allows them to improve their English-language communication skills in a natural, authentic, and fun way. |
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| For our community, these achievements are more than competition wins. They are evidence of what is possible when we invest in young people, nurture local talent, and create opportunity in the Galilee. Seeing students from communities we support earn recognition on a national stage fills us with tremendous pride.
Our Team on the Ground
The strength of these efforts is made possible through the dedicated work of our Israel Office. We are grateful to Rachel Sachs and Adi Kaye, whose leadership, relationships, and on-the-ground presence help ensure that our support remains meaningful, responsive, and impactful.
The recognition from Tel-Hai, the success of these young entrepreneurs, and the growing strength of communities across northern Israel remind us of what we can accomplish together. We are proud of the role our community continues to play in Israel's recovery and renewal, and we remain committed to helping the Galilee thrive for generations to come.
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Help Build the Future of the Galilee
The stories shared here reflect the power of partnership and the impact of investing in people. Whether it's a student presenting an award-winning startup, an educator developing new opportunities for youth, or a community rebuilding after crisis, these successes are made possible through the support of caring donors. |
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There is still much work to be done, and every gift helps strengthen resilience, create opportunity, and build a vibrant future for northern Israel.
Join us in supporting the people and communities shaping the next chapter of the Galilee. Make your gift today.
An Untold Story of Courage and Rescue
As we reflect on the power of partnerships and shared histories, we're pleased to highlight an upcoming event that may be of special interest to our community. Given our longstanding relationship with the Filipino community in British Columbia, this remarkable story of courage and leadership during the Holocaust feels especially meaningful.
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| The Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre (VHEC) and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) invite you to a presentation with author Mark Sy on The Manila Poker Club: Eisenhower, Quezon, and the Plan to Harbour Europe's Jews in the Philippines, the little-known story of an ambitious effort to rescue Jewish refugees from Nazi persecution. RSVP here. |
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Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of British Columbia |
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| Paddle, connect, and enjoy summer treats in Burnaby. Save your spot. |
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| Enjoy a family farm day with fishing, games, and community. Register here. |
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Watch the 2nd part of the series, which explores the history of Arabs and Jews in the Middle East and was created as an educational resource and myth-buster to further your understanding of this region. There is also a workbook for all four videos.
Learn more here. |
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