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July 24, 2026 | 10 Av 5786 | Candle lighting at 8:45 p.m.
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This message has approximately 1,021 words and will take about 4 minutes to read.
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| This week brought exciting news for our community. Vancouver City Council approved JWest’s rezoning application, moving this transformative project one step closer to reality. I had the privilege of speaking at the public hearing and witnessing firsthand the broad support for a project that will serve generations to come. Here are my remarks. Years of planning, consultation, and collaboration have brought us to this moment, and we are deeply grateful to Mayor Sim, members of Council, City staff, and especially the donors whose generosity helped make this possible. |
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| This milestone reflects the shared vision and partnership of the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, King David High School, Jewish Federation of British Columbia and countless community members who have worked together to strengthen Jewish life for future generations. |
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| The approval is more than a progress marker. It is a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together with a shared sense of purpose and responsibility for the generations that follow. There is still important work ahead, but this moment gives us confidence in what we can accomplish together.
That same belief in investing in the future was reflected in a recent Wexner Mission to Israel. Below, Ariella Zbar, a member of the Vancouver Wexner cohort that graduated this year, shares her reflections on seeing the impact of Federation-supported initiatives firsthand.
Wexner Heritage Program: Seeing Impact on the Ground
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| The Wexner Heritage Program drew to a close for the Vancouver '24 cohort. After two years of study from Tanach to the origins of Zionism, we travelled to Israel for the final part of the program. From July 7-14, we visited communities around the country and learned from a variety of speakers on topics such as the Haredi community, Palestinian identity, the protest movement, and rebuilding post-10/7. |
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| Thanks to the support of the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation, some of us stayed on to explore Etzba HaGalil, the Galilee Panhandle, where we visited several communities to see Jewish Federation and partners' work firsthand. Through GalilEast (our leadership-training partnership with the Galilee), CTC P2G (our coast-to-coast people-to-people partnership in the region with five other Canadian Federations), and other partnerships, we're helping build, and in some cases rebuild, amid war.
We visited research stations in the Hula Valley and met GalilEast partners at Tel-Hai University in Kiryat Shmona, where we learned how funding from Roadburg and our donors assists with research initiatives such as preventing sun damage to local crops.
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| We met leaders and residents of Kibbutz Manara, which was evacuated and sustained damage from bombs and anti-tank missiles, and Kibbutz Shamir, which was not evacuated but no less impacted by war. We received a dizzying history lesson on the changing borders affecting the Alawite-Arab village of Ghajar. All three of these communities are supported by Federation funds to rebuild from damage and strengthen emergency preparedness and response. |
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| We shared a meal in Metula with GalilEast and CTC P2G alumni, learning about their lives in a city bordered on three sides by Lebanon. Hearing their stories became very real when we heard a loud boom and felt the ground shake from an explosion on the other side of the border, not far from where we were seated. |
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| We ended in Kiryat Shmona, where we visited community centres running a variety of initiatives, including programs supporting adults on the autism spectrum and the Mevo’ot HaHermon Rehabilitation centre supporting individuals with various disabilities, and learned about efforts to build and attract social infrastructure to the north. All these initiatives receive funding support from Federation and associated partners. |
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| I came away with a new connection to this region and an appreciation for the everyday work GalilEast and other partners do to improve their communities. This was not just a trip; it was an opportunity to see firsthand how our community's support is helping people rebuild, recover and plan for the future. I understand now how “Vancouver” is a brand that means something special in the north (BC will catch on at some point!). |
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| Every plaque and building, such as Beit Vancouver, stands as a reminder of how our communities care about and support this region. President Herzog even commented during our Wexner trip on how strongly Canadian Jewish Federations have supported northern Israel and how much it means to its residents. |
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| I am grateful to Federation staff, Rachel Sachs and Adi Kaye in the Israel office, and Katia Fermon in Vancouver, for arranging this meaningful visit, particularly as an incoming board member of Jewish Federation of BC. However, it does not take becoming a board member to support this work. I think each of us can find something to relate to in our own lives and in what we seek from our Jewish communities, whether it is supporting research, ensuring emergency response and preparedness, aiding vulnerable populations or advancing other initiatives that improve community life. Learn more here and see how you can make a difference.
Pride, Belonging and Community
Just as strong communities are built through shared investment and connection, they are also strengthened when every person feels they belong. As Pride is celebrated across British Columbia, we know that many members of our community are looking for safe spaces where they can celebrate every part of who they are.
Pride is a celebration of diversity, belonging, and the freedom to live as your authentic self. However, since October 7, many LGBTQ+ Jews have faced a difficult reality, questioning whether queer spaces that once felt welcoming still have room for them. Some have felt pressure to separate parts of their identity, while others have searched for communities where they can be fully embraced as both Jewish and Queer. These experiences remind us why inclusive Jewish spaces matter and why belonging can never be taken for granted.
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| In partnership with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), we have gathered a selection of Pride events and community gatherings for queer Jewish community members, families, friends and allies. We hope this guide helps you find meaningful ways to connect, celebrate and embrace Jewish and LGBTQ+ life together. Explore Pride events in our community here. |
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Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of British Columbia |
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| Explore the stories of Victoria’s early Jewish community. Register here. |
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| Discover the story of a daring plan to rescue Jewish refugees. RSVP here. |
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| Welcome Shabbat by the sea with song, dance, and community. Register here. |
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| Connect with Jewish young adults at Axis Summer Social. Get tickets. |
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| In this third segment of the four-part animated series exploring the history of Arabs and Jews in the Middle East, we explore how Jewish communities legally acquired land, the devastating impact of the Holocaust, and the leadup to the UN partition plan. Learn More Here. |
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