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February 13, 2026 | 26 Shevat 5786 | Candle lighting at 5:12 p.m.
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This message has approximately 1,163 words and will take about 4 minutes to read.
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| In the wake of the horrific February 10 tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, our Federation team, together with our trusted partners Jewish Family Services (JFS) and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), reached out to the Government of British Columbia and local organizations to offer coordination, services, and support.
As part of this support, we also connected with Mashabim, the Community Stress Prevention Centre in Kiryat Shmona, a partner whose expertise in community resilience we have helped cultivate over many years through our Coast to Coast partnership and our sustained investment in northern Israel. These specialized resources stand ready to assist and deploy if needed.
The Province has established a dedicated resource page that includes an online condolences book. We encourage members of our community to share messages of care and solidarity, reminding those affected that they are not alone and that our community stands with them.
We hold the families, students, educators, and first responders in our hearts, and we remain committed to showing up with compassion, shared responsibility, and support wherever it is needed.
Meeting with our North American Network
This week, I joined the Jewish Federations of North America Board of Trustees meeting. Being at that table affirmed shared priorities across the federation system: strengthening the quality of Jewish life at home and beyond. In BC, Federation turns those priorities into impact by supporting vulnerable community members, strengthening communal security, investing in education and social services, and working with our agency partners and volunteers.
At the same time, some members of our staff joined nearly 1,000 Federation professionals from across North America for FedPro, JFNA’s system‑wide professional development gathering, to learn and connect through cohort sessions, workshops, and plenaries.
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Public Speaking Contest
We all know that moment when a child grips their note cards, takes a breath, and decides to be brave. That is the heart of our 38th Annual Public Speaking Contest, presented in partnership between the Jewish Federation, the Jewish Community Centre (JCC), and Israel Bonds. The contest uplifts youth voices and strengthens our community's bond through our shared identity as a people. Along the way, the students learn how to research, organize their thoughts, and speak with clarity under pressure. Long‑time chair Larry Barzelai has seen it up close for nearly four decades. |
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| As he shared, “Over the years, I’ve received a lot of feedback about how this has helped students prepare for their bar or bat mitzvah, their high school years and later on in their careers. Often, this is where they get their start.” |
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| Larry's leadership continues a legacy begun by his father, who seeded the program in his will, and his words capture what so many families tell us after the final applause.
As a parent, I understand the mix of jitters and pride on contest night. The room changes after each speech, shoulders drop, smiles spread, and you can see what practice and bravery have made possible. It is a moment kids carry with them, and parents do, too.
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Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 5, at 7:00 p.m. at the Jewish Community Centre. All students in grades 4–7 in both private and public schools are welcome to participate. Make sure to register by February 23 to secure a spot. Register here.
Encourage your friend's kids to join as well; the more, the merrier. Let’s make some great memories together! |
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Jewish Book Festival
The same commitment to thoughtful, courageous expression animates our partner, the Jewish Book Festival. Now in its 41st year, the Festival welcomes roughly 3,500 attendees each season across about 25 literary events, featuring 30–40 writers and moderators between the flagship February program and stand‑alone gatherings in spring and fall. Two on-site pop-up bookstores with new and used books remain a beloved tradition. |
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| Programming blends local, national, and international authors with a clear focus on Canadian Jewish literature. The Festival curates both timely and timeless themes, invites intergenerational participation with a strong emphasis on school and youth events, and intentionally opens doors to underrepresented voices. |
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| Interdisciplinary by design and open to everyone, it listens closely to its audience to keep offerings relevant and engaging. The heart of this year says it best: “Celebrating expression, embracing community, open to everyone,” Dana Camil Hewitt, director of the JCC Jewish Book Festival, told me. Learn more here. |
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| Opening night is Saturday, February 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre: John Irving in conversation with Marsha Lederman about Queen Esther. Irving’s new novel approaches Jewish themes through a historical and political lens—antisemitism shapes Esther’s life, and her journey ultimately intersects with Israel’s history. Read more here. |
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In a moment when conversations about Jewish identity, Israel, and rising antisemitism call for nuance and courage, we are proud to support a festival that connects readers with essential books, bold ideas, and remarkable writers, deepening understanding and sparking meaningful dialogue. Inviting the wider public in matters, bring neighbours and friends, and let’s keep building the allyship that strengthens our response to antisemitism.
Art and Belonging
In the spirit of Jewish Disability and Inclusion Month, JCC Inclusion Services hosted its annual exhibition, and the gallery felt like family. The show gathered about 40 paintings and around 15 clay works by Inclusion Services participants, individual artists, and creators connected to programs at community centres such as PosAbilities, the RSN Program, and Aspire Richmond. The JCC’s Israeli choir joined inclusion artists for two songs, and there weren’t many dry eyes by the end.
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| It was a powerful reminder of the beauty that comes from inclusion and connection. If you drop by the gallery, consider choosing a piece of your own. Your purchase supports Inclusion Services at the JCC. |
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From local stages and book‑lined rooms, our community is building spaces where ideas are explored with care, and every voice has room to be heard. Encourage a student to register for the contest, bring a friend to a Festival event, and keep showing up for one another. Together, we will keep learning, speaking, and listening, confidently and with heart.
Family Day and a Word of Congratulations
Before I close my message, I want to congratulate the Louis Brier Home & Hospital and the Weinberg Residence on being named among B.C.’s Top Employers for 2026, their second consecutive year receiving this honour. It’s a well‑earned recognition of a workplace culture rooted in care and excellence that benefits residents, families, and staff across the Snider Campus.
A quick note that our office will be closed on Monday, February 16, for Family Day in British Columbia. Rachel and I know how precious an unrushed day can be. With our three kids, we’ll be leaning into the simple things and making the most of our family time together. However you spend it, we wish you a restorative day filled with good stories, laughter, and the warmth of home.
Shabbat shalom,
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Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver |
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| Discover valuable resources for seniors in BC with JSA. RSVP here |
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| JACS invites you to a Purim Community Evening. RSVP here. |
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| When Richard Wood took over Omnitsky’s Kosher deli, he hired its first-ever head chef, Mustafa Ghanim, a Palestinian Muslim with years of experience in kosher kitchens. Their partnership became a quiet example of Jewish–Muslim coexistence. Listen to this episode of In Good Faith, sponsored by the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation. |
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| Best known for his groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence, Pearl applies his analytical rigour to antisemitism, Zionophobia, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the story of Israel. Coexistence and Other Fighting Words brings together his most influential writings, offering a clear-eyed guide to some of the most urgent issues of our time. Find the book here. |
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