May 23, 2025

A woman in a dark dress and a man in a suit pose together in front of a blue backdrop with "ISRAEL" and "EMBASSY OF ISRAEL TO THE UNITED STATES" text.

May 23, 2025 | 25 Iyar 5785 | Candle lighting at 8:42 p.m.

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The shooting in Washington, D.C., has shaken us all.

Our hearts are with the families of Sarah Milgrim z”l and Yaron Lischinsky z”l, two young Israeli embassy staff members murdered at the Capital Jewish Museum. This horrific act has sent shockwaves across Jewish communities in Canada and beyond. May their memory be a blessing.

Reports that the assailant shouted “Free Palestine” are chilling, and they point to a deeply troubling and escalating pattern: hateful rhetoric targeting Jews is becoming more dangerous. What happened in Washington is not an isolated event. It is the result of a predictable rise in hate and incitement against our community here in North America. Read our statement here.

Our advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), in their efforts to protect the quality of Jewish life in Canada through advocacy, also responded to the antisemitic attack. Read more here.

Community security: a high priority.

As painful as this moment is, we are not unprepared. We continue to closely monitor threats alongside our partners in law enforcement and security. Our Jewish Community Security Advisory Committee has been working diligently for years, in partnership with law enforcement and security experts, to keep our community safe. Learn more about our program here.

While there is currently no specific threat in British Columbia, we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the continued safety of our community. We encourage everyone to remain informed, vigilant, and connected. Share the following guidance with your families and networks:

👉 Be Mindful and Stay Alert
Stay aware of your surroundings—whether at home, at work, or in communal spaces. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, take it seriously.

👉 Be Thoughtful About Visibility
While we take pride in displaying Jewish or Israeli symbols, consider context. Avoid posting your plans publicly on social media and do not engage in online arguments that could lead to targeted harassment.

👉 If You See Something, Say Something
In an emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately. Your safety comes first. Once safe, please also notify our security team by reporting the incident here.

In Loving Memory: Ben Mizrahi z”l

Ben’s life was taken far too soon on October 7th. His presence continues to inspire our community and all who knew him.

In his memory, Ben Bar has opened at Kvutsat Yavneh—the kibbutz that embraced him when he made aliyah. Our Israel-based leaders, Rachel Sachs and Sarah Mali, were there to represent our community and to stand with those who loved and knew him best.
Watch a moving tribute video here.

This heartfelt tribute honours the light, warmth, and connection Ben brought to everyone around him. It is a space rooted in the very values he lived by—belonging, friendship, and joy.

Mazel Tov to Eurovision Contestant Yuval Raphael

We send heartfelt congratulations to Yuval Raphael, who transformed unimaginable trauma into art and purpose, reminding us that even after tragedy, healing and hope can rise.

Yuval and singer-songwriter Keren Peles, who co-wrote this year’s song "New Day Will Rise," which won second place in the contest, performed this week in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square. Read more here.

Vancouver City Hall Proclamation for Jewish Heritage Month

This week, as I stood in Vancouver City Hall for the official proclamation of May as Jewish Heritage Month, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride in our community.

Lana Marks Pulver, Board Chair; Nico Slobinsky, Vice-President, Pacific Region, CIJA; Karen James, Chair, CIJA's Local Partnership Council; and I joined Mayor Ken Sim and City Councillors in the Council Chambers, where we reflected on the rich history, resilience, and countless contributions Jewish Vancouverites have made to the cultural, civic, and economic fabric of this city.

It’s not just a recognition; it’s a celebration of our heritage, our resilience, and the vibrant role our community continues to play in shaping Vancouver’s future. I want to thank CIJA for facilitating this meaningful opportunity.

Creating Jewish moments with PJ Library

With Shavuot fast approaching, we are reminded of the importance of Jewish learning and the way we pass down our values and knowledge from generation to generation.

PJ Library continues to bring Jewish touchpoints into homes across our community, one book at a time. Through books, events, values, and family connections, PJ Library inspires meaningful Jewish engagement.

This week, PJ Library shared a preview of new stories and highlights from their international conference. Watch it here. They also invited families and educators to a special webinar on June 17. Register for the webinar here.

Jewish learning also happens through lived experiences, and that’s why I’m especially excited to be heading out this weekend for Family Camp at our partner, Camp Solomon Schechter. Visiting the camps that create meaningful Jewish experiences for children is one of my favourite parts of this work, and I’m looking forward to visiting more camps later this summer.

Shabbat shalom,