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September 18 24, 2026 | 7 Tishrei 5787 | Candle lighting at 7:01 p.m.
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This message has approximately 1,170 words and will take about 4 minutes to read.
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| A palpable sense of optimism filled our community this week as we celebrated the groundbreaking of JWest, a transformational project that will help shape Jewish life in British Columbia for generations to come.
Created through a partnership between the Jewish Federation of British Columbia (JFBC), Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver (JCC), and King David High School (KDHS), JWest reflects what is possible when organizations and community come together around a shared vision for the future.
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| At Monday's groundbreaking ceremony, community members, donors, partners, leaders, elected officials, and foreign government representatives gathered to celebrate the beginning of construction on a campus that will become a vibrant hub for connection, learning, wellness, and community life. |
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| The strong turnout reflected the significance of this project and the broad support behind it. Watch the recap here.
The day also included the announcement that the campus will be known as the Roadburg Campus and the new JCC as the Diamond Jewish Community Centre, recognizing the extraordinary generosity and leadership of the Roadburg Foundations and the Diamond Foundation.
JWest reflects the very best of our community: vision, partnership, generosity, and a deep commitment to ensuring that Jewish life in British Columbia remains strong, welcoming, and resilient for decades to come.
One Community, Two Gatherings, Province-Wide Impact
This week marked a landmark moment for Jewish life across British Columbia: the launch of our Annual Campaign through two gatherings in Vancouver and Victoria, including the first official campaign launch in Victoria and the first joint campaign launch between the Jewish Federation of British Columbia and the Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island. Together, the gatherings reflected our community's strength, reach, and shared vision across the province.
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| On Wednesday evening in Vancouver, community members came together for an energizing Opening Night featuring guest speaker Ben Mulroney, whose reflections on allyship, the rise of antisemitism in Canada, and the importance of speaking up resonated deeply. He reminded us that building a strong and inclusive society requires all of us to stand together and support one another. Watch Ben's speech here. |
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We are grateful to Campaign Chair Sue Hector and to Lisa Boroditsky, our Women's Philanthropy Chair, for helping make the evening both meaningful and inspiring, and to Michael Mann for sharing his experience as a Jewish resident on Salt Spring Island and the importance of Federation’s community connectors across BC.
The momentum continued on Thursday in Victoria, where speakers included Barry Zalmanowitz, President of the Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island (JFVVI); Dr. Stan Shortt, a founder of JFVVI; Mijal Ben Dori, JFBC's Chief Planning Officer; and Jonathan Leipsic, JFBC's Board Chair. Rabbi Meir Kaplan offered a blessing and sounded the shofar, while Rabbi Ilana Krygier Lapides led O Canada and Hatikvah.
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| While each gathering reflected the unique character of its local community, together they demonstrated something powerful: We Are Federation. Federation is not a building, a program, or a campaign. It is the people who show up, volunteer, advocate, give generously, support one another, and work every day to strengthen Jewish life. |
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| From Vancouver to Victoria, community members came together around a shared purpose, reminding us that while geography may separate us, our values, our responsibility to one another, and our vision for the future unite us across British Columbia. These events celebrated not only our community's generosity but also the impact that generosity makes possible. |
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With your support, we build meaningful connections, strengthen Jewish life, care for our community, and stand together against hate across British Columbia. We Are Federation is more than a campaign theme. It reflects who we are and what we can accomplish when we come together.
Make your Gift Here. |
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A Meaningful Recognition
Our community's impact extends far beyond British Columbia. This week, Jewish Federation was honoured to receive the Tel-Hai Dignitary Award from the university's president, Professor Eliezer Shalev, recognizing our longstanding partnership and contributions to education, regional development, and resilience in the Galilee.
This award reflects the impact, generosity and commitment of the donors, volunteers, and leaders who have stood alongside Tel-Hai and northern Israel for decades, advancing educational opportunity, regional development, and resilience in the region.
We are deeply honoured by this recognition and proud of the strong relationship that continues to connect our community with the people of northern Israel.
Understanding and Addressing Antisemitism
At a time when concerns about antisemitism continue to grow, research and data remain critical tools for creating meaningful change.
A new province-wide report by Professor Robert Brym, in collaboration with Jewish Federation and CIJA, examines experiences of antisemitism in British Columbia's K-12 schools. The Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation made the report possible through its generous support. The findings will help educators, school administrators, policymakers, and community leaders better understand the scope of the issue and develop effective responses.
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| I encourage parents of Jewish children in K-12 schools across BC to participate and help ensure that these experiences are documented, understood, and addressed. By sharing their experiences, families can help build a clearer picture of the challenges Jewish students face and contribute to efforts to create safer, more inclusive learning environments. Click here. |
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Accepting Applications: Combatting Antisemitism Fund
We also want to highlight an important opportunity for students, organizations, and community leaders working to strengthen Jewish life.
Applications are now open for the Combatting Antisemitism Fund, supporting initiatives that build an inclusive society that recognizes and rejects antisemitism.
Priority will be given to initiatives that advance allyship, collaboration, resilience, grassroots efforts,Jewish identity and pride, youth engagement, and legal or policy initiatives that strengthen responses to antisemitism.
The application deadline is October 6, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Apply Today.
Between Chaos and Light: Remembering October 7
Over the past three years, October 7 has become part of our collective story. It is a day that continues to evoke profound sadness, resilience, and a deep sense of responsibility to one another.
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We invite the community to join us for Between Chaos and Light: Remembering October 7, at 7:00 pm to honour the lives lost, reflect on the profound impact of that day and its aftermath, and recognize the resilience, courage, and unity that have emerged in response.
Register here. |
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A Final Note
As we prepare for Yom Kippur, we are reminded of the importance of reflection, forgiveness, and renewal. May this sacred time inspire us to look inward, strengthen our relationships with one another, and recommit ourselves to the values that guide our community.
Please note that Jewish Federation's offices will be closed on Monday, September 21, in observance of Yom Kippur.
Shabbat Shalom and G'mar Chatimah Tovah,
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Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of British Columbia |
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| Join a morning of remembrance and reflection. RSVP here. |
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| Learn how to get involved in BC’s municipal elections. Register here. |
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| Slow down, stretch, and reconnect at Yoga with Deborah. Register here. |
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| Get your tickets here for a Wild West Sukkahfest at the farm. |
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Check out our calendar for more community events.
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| Learn about Vancouver’s Jewish community's largest and most ambitious community development project in Western Canada’s Jewish history, beginning with a $234 million investment in a new community centre and expanded high school, with more than 600 rental homes planned for later phases. Read more here. |
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