May 2, 2025

A man and a woman stand beside a memorial of flowers and a wreath at a fenced area, with a grassy field in the background. A sign reads, "In memory of the victims."

May 2, 2025 | 4 Iyar 5785 | Candle lighting at 8:13 p.m.

This message has about 1,090 words and will take about 4 minutes to read.

Today, Friday, May 2, the Province officially declared a Day of Remembrance and Mourning for the victims of the recent tragedy that occurred after the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival.

Representing our community, board chair, Lana Marks Pulver laid a wreath at the growing memorial at 41st and Fraser. We, along with Nico Slobinsky, Shirley Berelowitz and David Decolongon from our advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs will be attending this evenings memorial held by the Archdiocese of Vancouver starting at 5:10 p.m. You can watch the livestream here.

In the face of this heartbreaking event, I’ve been deeply moved by the way our community has quickly mobilized to show our support to those affected.

The support shown through our emergency fund has been truly inspiring, and your generosity will provide vital aid and comfort to those affected. Click here to donate.

Jewish Family Services is offering counselling to those affected and in need of support and I encourage you to spread the word. In a further show of solidarity, our partners Vancouver Talmud Torah, Vancouver Hebrew Academy, Richmond Jewish Day School and King David High School have organized a group blood donation effort. Thank you for showing up in such meaningful ways—this is Tikkun Olam in action, and it speaks volumes about the strength and heart of our community.

This past week, we also gathered as a community to mark Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut—two days forever linked—from solemn remembrance to joyous celebration.

Together, we paused to remember and honour Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror, and then, we gently moved into celebrating 77 years of Israel’s independence.

And what a celebration it was! Hundreds of community members joined us on the dance floor to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, demonstrating once again the strength and unity that define us. The band, Ruchot HaTzafon (Northern Winds) from our partnership region in northern Israel, played an electrifying set, uplifting us all.

You can check out photos from the night here.

We were especially honoured to welcome Raz and Inbal, survivors of the Nova Festival, who reminded us of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community in the face of loss. They left a heartfelt message for our community about what it meant to them to come to Vancouver and join us in celebration. Watch it here.

Events like these are made possible through the support of so many. I extend a heartfelt thanks to the Jewish Independent for their media partnership; to Horatio Kemeney for sponsoring the photo booth; Michelle and Neil Pollock for providing delicious snacks; and Garry Zlotnick and his team at ZLC for supporting our pre-reception. And to each of you who donates to Federation—thank you. Your commitment brings moments like this to life.

Jewish Life is Flourishing Across British Columbia.

While we gathered in Vancouver, it's equally inspiring to see Jewish life continue to grow and thrive across our province. The Community Engagement department has been working closely with communities across British Columbia as more individuals and families seek meaningful connections and work to strengthen Jewish community life. As these communities continue to come together to celebrate holidays or find innovative ways to simply connect, Jewish presence in regional areas will only grow stronger.

We are excited to share a reflection from Sarah Mackenzie, Manager of Community Development, as she recounts the highlights from our inaugural Regional Communities Conference.

This growth was beautifully reflected in our inaugural Regional Communities Conference, held earlier this week in West Vancouver. Ninety participants from 26 communities across British Columbia came together for two days of learning, sharing, and collaboration.

Designed to support Jewish life in small and emerging communities—many of which operate without formal infrastructure but with deep commitment and creativity—the conference featured workshops led by twelve expert speakers and welcomed eight Community Connectors and representatives from fifteen partner organizations.

For many attendees, it was the first opportunity to connect with peers from across the province. The experience fostered new relationships, fresh ideas, and a renewed sense of collective purpose to strengthen Jewish life in every corner of our region.

We are deeply grateful to the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation for making the Regional Communities Conference possible, as well as Horatio Kemeney and our partner Congregation Har El, the incredible lay leaders, volunteers, and professionals who are helping shape a vibrant Jewish future in every corner of our region.

Celebrating Canadian Jewish Heritage Month

As we welcome the month of May, we also mark the beginning of Canadian Jewish Heritage Month—a time to celebrate, learn about, and reflect on the rich cultural, religious, and ethnic heritage of Jewish Canadians. This annual observance invites all Canadians to deepen their understanding of the Jewish community’s enduring contributions to the fabric of our society.

This year, the Honourable Wendy Cocchia, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, officially proclaimed May 2025 as Jewish Heritage Month in our province. With a vibrant community of approximately 38,000 Jewish British Columbians—the third-largest Jewish population in Canada—this recognition highlights the vital role Jewish life and leadership continue to play in shaping our province. Thank you to our advocacy agent the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, for your work on this.
Read the B.C. Attorney General’s statement here.

Throughout the month, our community will have opportunities to engage in a variety of programs, including several special events at the JCC, and we will have a chance to come together in pride and solidarity, honouring both our heritage and our hopes for the future.

To explore more, we encourage you to:

Learn about our history in Canada here.
Watch a film from the National Film Board of Canada celebrating the stories and contributions of Jewish Canadians.

Israel Youth Group Visited Vancouver

Last week, we were privileged to be part of an inspiring program from Northern Israel, called the Galilee Dreamers. This program promotes dialogue, peace and connection between Jews, Druze and Bedouins living in Northern Israel.

As part of the program, local community members hosted a group of 16 teens and three teachers from northern Israel. The group toured Vancouver and had the opportunity to also visit VTT and KDHS for a collaborative activity, promoting hope, shared values and dialogue.

Thank you to community member Marion Rom, who led and built the program locally, and worked tirelessly for its success.

Speaking of our partnership region... Mazel Tov to Elad Kozikaro, CEO of the Kiryat Shmona Community Centers, on receiving the prestigious Courage and Hope Award!

This honour recognizes his unwavering commitment to social change, rooted in the values of Zionism, partnership, and mutual responsibility. Elad’s steadfast leadership has made a profound impact, especially in challenging times. We’re proud to celebrate this well-earned achievement.

National Election Outcome
We’ve been asking you to participate in the elections, and we are proud of the engagement from our community, from volunteering to voting. With the election now behind us, we look forward to working closely with the newly elected officials to address our community's needs and create positive change for a brighter future.

Shabbat shalom,