June 27, 2025

A protest scene with a person holding a sign featuring a portrait of a man in a black turban, surrounded by flags and banners. Text above reads, "TAKE ACTION" and "ACT AGAINST IRANIAN TERRORISM."

June 27, 2025 | 1 Tammuz 5785 | Candle lighting at 9:04 p.m.

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This week, I felt a renewed sense of hope as we welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, viewing it as a positive step toward stability in the region. However, we must not overlook the profound impact of the recent Iranian ballistic missile attacks, which tragically resulted in the loss of 28 lives, left over 3,000 wounded, and forced more than 9,000 individuals from their homes due to damage or destruction. I invite you to join Jewish Federation in supporting ongoing relief and rebuilding efforts by donating to the Israel Emergency Campaign today here.

A Moment to Celebrate: Our Graduates

As the school year draws to a close, graduation ceremonies were held at our communities’ three Jewish elementary schools: Richmond Jewish Day School (RJDS), Vancouver Hebrew Academy (VHA), and Vancouver Talmud Torah (VTT). These moments are more than celebrations of academic achievement. They are testaments to the strength and continuity of Jewish life.

Jewish education is not only about what we learn; it’s about who we become. Our children are taught to ask questions, to value tradition, and to see themselves as part of a story much larger than their own. In a world that can so easily pull us away from our roots, VTT, VHA, and RJDS provide a foundation of meaning and belonging. Mazel Tov to all of our graduates—have a great summer!

New Leadership at Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre

As our youngest community members graduate, it’s a reminder that education shapes both our future and our understanding of the past. The work of the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre (VHEC) is vital—preserving memory, teaching truth, and guiding the next generation.

With that, we are pleased to share that the VHEC has announced the appointment of Hannah Marazzi as its new Executive Director. Hannah has served as Acting Executive Director since fall 2024, and now steps into this role with clarity of purpose and deep commitment.

In her words: “At a time when Holocaust distortion and antisemitism are on the rise, the work of the Centre has never been more urgent. I look forward to stewarding the next chapter of the VHEC’s history with humility, resolve, and deep gratitude.” Hannah’s leadership promises to expand the Centre’s reach and deepen its impact. Her dedication to preserving the memory of those we lost—and to equipping future generations with the tools to confront hatred and uphold human dignity—is exactly the kind of leadership this moment calls for.

Walking Through Our Story: Tours with Jewish Museum & Archives BC

Equally important is the work of the Jewish Museum and Archives of BC (JMABC), which continues to preserve and share the lived experiences of Jewish life in our province. These stories are not distant. They are ours. For over 160 years, Jewish life has been woven into the fabric of this province, and JMABC ensures that these threads are not forgotten.

If you haven't had the chance to walk through our history through their guided tour, I highly recommend it—not just to learn, but to connect with our past. You can find more information and register here.

Action Alert: A Call to Protect Canadian Jewry

Today, Canadian Jews face a complex and evolving reality. While Jewish communities continue to thrive culturally, socially, and spiritually, there is an urgent need to address growing security concerns.

On Canada’s National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, our advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), launched a campaign highlighting the danger posed by the Iranian regime. The call for decisive government action is more pressing than ever. Protecting Jewish communities means strengthening security, barring foreign operatives, and countering the glorification of terror.

Take action here.

And speaking of CIJA, Mazel Tov to Noah Shack, who has been officially named CEO of the organization this morning. Noah has served as interim president since December and brings an extraordinary depth of expertise to this role.

With nearly two decades of experience in Jewish community advocacy, government relations, and public policy, he assumes a pivotal role for our community. We wish him all the best as he takes on this important challenge.

Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver one of BC’s Top 10 Charities

We are thrilled to share that Jewish Federation has been named one of BC's top 10 charities! This recognition is a testament to the incredible generosity of our donors and the strength of our community. It highlights the vital role we as a community play—supporting those in need and building Jewish life here at home and around the world. Thank you for making it all possible.

At the heart of this success is the leadership of our Campaign Chairs, whose vision, dedication, and ability to mobilize support are essential to our continued impact.

With that in mind, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Shay (Shy) Keil for his extraordinary dedication as Campaign Chair. His leadership, passion, and personal commitment to enriching Jewish life locally, in Israel, and globally have been invaluable, and we thank him for his remarkable contributions.

We are honoured to welcome Sue Hector as our new Campaign Chair. Sue brings to this role a deep commitment to our community, a wealth of experience in philanthropy, and a strong vision for how we can continue to grow our collective impact.

We are confident that under her leadership, the Annual Campaign will continue to grow and inspire even greater participation across our community.

Shabbat shalom,