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August 14, 2026 | 1 Elul 5786 | Candle lighting at 8:12 p.m.
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This message has approximately 814 words and will take about 3 minutes to read.
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| Wildfire season is now at its peak in British Columbia, and communities across the province continue to face uncertainty as families respond to evacuation alerts and active fires.
Jewish Federation of British Columbia is staying closely connected with Jewish communities across the Interior and throughout the province. Through our Community Connectors, volunteers, and local Jewish leaders, we are checking in with families, identifying needs, coordinating support, and making sure no one feels alone. Our BC Wildfire Relief Fund is providing assistance to members of our community affected by wildfires, evacuations, displacement, and related emergencies.
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| We are already seeing this support in action. In Kelowna, Community Connector Abbey Westbury has been preparing meals for members of the community affected by the fires, helping ensure families have practical support during a difficult and uncertain time. |
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| Across the province, people are opening their homes, checking on neighbours, and finding meaningful ways to help.
This is why we became Jewish Federation of British Columbia. Jewish life extends far beyond Vancouver, and so does our commitment to one another. From providing meals and opening homes to supporting displaced families and coordinating local assistance, we are seeing Jewish community in action.
To support the BC Wildfire Relief Fund, visit www.jewishbc.ca/bc-wildfire-relief-fund.
Responding to the Earthquakes in Venezuela
Our commitment to community extends beyond our province. Following the devastating earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela in June, our Federation established the Venezuela Earthquake Relief Fund, working with Jewish Federations, local leaders, and our overseas partners, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and The Jewish Agency for Israel.
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| The Jewish community of Caracas suffered tragic losses, damaged homes, and widespread disruption. Thanks to longstanding investments in local leadership and preparedness, critical support reached those affected quickly, including food, medical care, mental health support, and recovery assistance. |
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| These efforts demonstrate how the relationships and partnerships we build over time enable us to respond quickly when crisis strikes and ensure help reaches those who need it most. Click here to learn more.
Building Connections Across Oceans
While Federation helps communities respond in moments of crisis, we also invest in the relationships that strengthen Jewish life for generations to come.
Every summer, camp creates opportunities for young people to form friendships that transcend geography, language, and life experience. Through shared meals, waterfront activities, Shabbat celebrations, and countless everyday moments, connections develop naturally and often leave a lasting impact. |
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| This summer, Camp Hatikvah welcomed 13 Israeli teens and three counsellors from our partnership region in Northern Israel through Campers2Gether, an initiative of The Jewish Agency for Israel delivered in partnership with Jewish Federation and Camp Hatikvah. Many of these young people have spent recent years navigating the realities of war, displacement, rocket attacks, and ongoing uncertainty. |
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| Here in British Columbia, they have had the opportunity to enjoy something every young person deserves: time to learn, grow, laugh, and simply be teenagers.
Their visit is also part of our broader commitment through Partnership2Gether, a global network that strengthens relationships between Jewish communities in Israel and around the world. Through these partnerships, Jewish Federation helps create meaningful opportunities for connection, learning, and shared experiences rooted in Jewish peoplehood and mutual responsibility.
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| Programs like Campers2Gether bring those values to life. What emerges is far more than a cultural exchange. Friendships take shape, understanding deepens, and young people discover how much they have in common despite growing up in very different circumstances. |
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| For Israeli teens, camp offers a meaningful respite from the pressures many have been carrying at home. For Canadian campers, friendships with Israeli peers transform Israel from a distant headline into a personal connection. The result is a stronger sense of belonging to a global Jewish community and a deeper appreciation for the diverse realities that shape Jewish life today. |
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Join Us for Opening Night
Our Annual Campaign Opening Night is just around the corner, and we hope you will join us as we celebrate the strength, generosity, and impact of our community.
Early bird pricing ends tomorrow, so if you haven't yet secured your ticket, now is the time.
Register today. |
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| Opening Night is an opportunity to come together, celebrate what we have accomplished collectively, and look ahead to the impact we can make in the year to come. Whether supporting families affected by wildfires in BC, helping communities recover in Venezuela, or creating meaningful connections between young people, every contribution strengthens our community and expands our ability to respond when and where we are needed most.
Our communities may be separated by mountains, highways, and oceans, but we remain connected by a shared responsibility to care for one another.
Community is not only about celebrating together. It is about being there when it matters most.
Shabbat shalom,
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Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of British Columbia |
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| On this episode, Dan Senor is joined by author Dara Horn to discuss her new book, The Final Solution to the Jewish Question: A Love Story for the Living. She explains how AI is systematically targeting Jews, why traditional efforts to fight antisemitism are failing and outlines an approach to find a solution that could finally change everything. Listen to the podcast here. |
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