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July 3, 2026

 

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July 3, 2026 | 18 Tammuz 5786 | Candle lighting at 9:03 p.m.

This message has approximately 987 words and will take about 3 minutes to read.

This week, Canada Day offered a moment to reflect on the values that help shape our country: belonging, connection, and the understanding that we are stronger when we support one another. I shared some of those reflections in a recent Times of Israel blog.  Read it here.

As our community continues to grow and evolve, there is a sense of momentum across British Columbia, a reminder of what we can achieve when we unite around a shared purpose.

Stronger Together: Save Your Seat for Opening Night
We are proud to announce that registration is now open for our Federation Annual Campaign Opening.

This year's Campaign Opening will feature a conversation with Ben Mulroney, one of Canada's most recognized broadcasters and commentators. As we kick off our campaign season, Ben will share insights on leadership, resilience, and the importance of community in a rapidly changing world.

More than the start of a campaign, this event marks a renewed commitment to one another and to the future of Jewish life across British Columbia. Every day, we see the impact of our community's generosity: supporting those in need, strengthening Jewish identity, combatting antisemitism, caring for seniors, engaging young families, and helping ensure a vibrant Jewish future for generations to come.

As needs continue to grow, so too does our collective resolve. No single organization or individual can do this work alone. It is only through collaboration among agency partners, donors, volunteers, community leaders, and supporters across the province that we can respond to emerging challenges.

Event Details
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30 early bird | $45 after August 15
Location: To be shared closer to the date.

Purchase your tickets here.

We look forward to launching this year's campaign with purpose, optimism, and a renewed sense of what is possible when we stand united.

Strengthening Our Team
As we prepare for another impactful campaign year, we are also welcoming new leadership that helps bring this work to life.

We are pleased to welcome Marshall Stern as our new director of development. Marshall brings extensive experience and a deep commitment to community-building. Together with Gayle Morris, chief of development, and the rest of our development team, he will help strengthen our fundraising efforts in support of communities across British Columbia.

We are also excited to welcome Noa Farage as campaign development manager. Noa's energy and dedication to relationship-building will help deepen engagement across our community.

Together, they join a passionate team committed to ensuring that our campaign reflects our shared values and collective impact.

The Power of Our Collective Voice
This past week, our community demonstrated the power of speaking up and standing together. More than 11,000 Canadians answered the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs' (CIJA) call to urge the federal government to hold the leadership of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights accountable regarding its controversial Nakba exhibit.

This response reflects a community that shows up, speaks out respectfully, and understands that our voices matter. We are grateful to CIJA for their tireless advocacy and leadership. Their work continues to amplify the concerns of Jewish Canadians and build support across the country.

CIJA's newest campaign highlights another important reality: antisemitism is not just a Jewish issue. In an open letter, 80 of Canada's leading business and community leaders have taken a stand against antisemitism, recognizing that it affects all Canadians. We commend their leadership and encourage you to add your voice to this growing movement. Click here. 

Appreciating the Vancouver Police Department
This week, we were honoured to host a special appreciation event for members of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD). 

We thanked them for their ongoing commitment to helping keep our community safe. With two food trucks on site (Meet 2 Eat and Chickpea), we were proud to serve 809 law enforcement officers and first responders. This was the largest appreciation initiative we have ever undertaken for those who work every day to keep our communities safe.

On behalf of the community, we extend our thanks to the VPD for their ongoing dedication and service. This initiative would not have been possible without the generosity of anonymous donors who understood the importance of expressing our community's gratitude to those who serve and protect us every day.

Supporting Venezuela's Jewish Community 
We continue to monitor the devastating impact of the recent earthquake in Venezuela and remain inspired by the generosity of our community. Through our Venezuela Relief Fund, we are working with trusted partners to help provide urgent assistance and support to those affected.

The response to our Venezuela Relief Fund is also a reminder of something unique about our Federation system. Through our partnerships with organizations such as the Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), and Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), we are part of a global Jewish network that can mobilize quickly when communities face a crisis. While our work begins here in British Columbia, it also connects us to Jewish communities around the world, ensuring that when help is needed, we can respond together.

If you have not yet had the opportunity to contribute, we encourage you to join us in helping our Venezuelan Jewish brothers and sisters during this difficult time. Make your gift here.

Community Surveys 
The strength of our community lies not only in how we respond in times of need, but also in how we listen. To help us better understand and support the diverse experiences of Jewish individuals and families across British Columbia, we invite you to participate in the following surveys.

Survey for Community Members on Temporary Status 
We are seeking to better understand the experiences of Jewish individuals and families currently living in BC on temporary visas or other temporary statuses. 
The confidential and anonymous survey aims to understand community challenges and guide future support efforts. Take the survey here.

Survey for Jewish Healthcare Professionals 
And speaking of surveys, a reminder that our friends at the Jewish Medical Association of BC (JMABC) are conducting an anonymous survey of Jewish healthcare professionals across British Columbia about their experiences with antisemitism in the healthcare sector.

If you work in healthcare or know someone who does, please consider participating and sharing the survey. Click here.

Shabbat shalom,

 

Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of British Columbia

 

The Fed Four

Bring Shabbat home with a monthly meal and Shabbat bag. Learn more. 

Discover Coquitlam’s Inspiration Garden with Burquest seniors. Read more. 

Cook, connect, and enjoy a teen BBQ night together. Register here. 

Celebrate Shabbat with PJ Library friends and farm animals. RSVP here. 

Ezra's Curated Corner

This four-part series explores the history of Arabs and Jews in the Middle East and was created as an educational resource and myth buster that can further your understanding of this region. There is also a workbook for all four videos.
Learn more here.

The crisis in Venezuela has sparked significant support from Jewish communities across Canada. This article highlights the ongoing relief efforts and the strength of the global Jewish network in responding to crises. It also features my remarks on how Federation's partnerships connect our British Columbia community to global emergency response efforts. Read more here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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