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February 20, 2026 | 3 Adar 5786 | Candle lighting at 5:23 p.m.
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This message has approximately 1.027 words and will take about 3 minutes to read.
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| In recent conversations across our community, one theme has surfaced again and again. People are navigating uncertainty in the world around us. There is a deep and steady desire to feel connected, prepared, and supported. That desire is not abstract. It is rooted in a shared understanding that the strength of our community has always come from looking out for one another and planning responsibly for the road ahead.
With that in mind, we are pleased to share a major milestone in that ongoing work. Jewish Federation is launching a comprehensive preparedness and resilience initiative that will span the entire province. This effort is designed to help our community organize, strengthen, and grow our collective resilience so that we are well-positioned to face the uncertainties of these fragile times, together, with confidence and care.
Preparedness is not only about security readiness. It is about ensuring we are equipped to respond to a wide range of challenges, including natural disasters, public health emergencies, technological disruptions, and other unexpected events that can affect individuals, families, and communal institutions. Preparedness is what allows resilience to take root by planning, learning together, and strengthening our systems before they are tested. At its core, this initiative is about continuity, connection, and the ongoing work of building our communal strength so that we can support one another when it matters most.
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| As we take this important step forward, it feels especially meaningful to highlight Dafna Silberstein, our director of Planning & Engagement, who is working on this effort alongside our JReady partners. Today, she shares important news and introduces the initiative and its scope. |
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| Launching a Community‑Wide Preparedness and Resilience Initiative |
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| To lead this work, we are partnering with JReady, the global preparedness and resilience platform of The Jewish Agency for Israel, one of our key international partners. Through this partnership, our community will be among the first to undertake such a comprehensive resilience-planning process at no cost to our community. |
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| The initiative draws on knowledge and best practices from across Israel and the Jewish world, including the Trauma and Resiliency Model developed by Mashabim, an organization our community has proudly supported for many years through our Coast2Coast partnership. Mashabim has played a critical role in delivering trauma response and resilience training in Israel following October 7, and more recently supported the Jewish community in Sydney in the aftermath of the horrific Bondi terror attack, bringing practical, compassionate tools to communities navigating moments of profound shock and uncertainty. |
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| This process will encompass all of British Columbia and is intended to serve our entire community. As we begin, we are launching a community-wide preparedness survey to help us establish a clear baseline: to understand where we are today, and, over time, to measure how our resilience grows as a result of this work. Every response is meaningful. |
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| We encourage you to complete the survey and to share it with your family members and loved ones of different ages and locations across BC, so that the full diversity of our community is reflected.
As this work moves forward, it will be guided in close partnership with communal organizations, professionals, and lay leaders across BC. The planning and learning phases will largely take place behind the scenes, ensuring that when tools, protocols, or supports are introduced, they are thoughtful, coordinated, and meaningful. While much of this process may not be immediately visible, we are committed to transparency and will share updates along the way. Community members will experience the impact of this work as it is thoughtfully deployed over time, strengthening our collective readiness in practical and lasting ways.
Your participation will directly shape how this initiative unfolds and how JReady’s tools and resources are tailored to our local needs. We look forward to sharing updates and inviting you to join us further in this important work as it develops.
To fill out the survey, please click here.
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Coming Together at the Multicultural Fair
Our partners are also strengthening the fabric of British Columbia in meaningful and joyful ways. The upcoming Multicultural Fair, hosted by Jewish Family Services in collaboration with United Way, reflects a deeply Canadian belief that diversity is something we actively learn from. |
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| Jewish representation will be woven throughout the event, from a JCC dance performance to Jewish dishes prepared in the JFS kitchen, along with a reading of Something from Nothing by Don Rock. Our colleague, Aluma Zweifler Reicher, associate director of Community Planning and Engagement, will host the Jewish cultural table, offering insights into Jewish life and traditions.
The Multicultural Fair creates space for communities to meet one another with openness, curiosity, and kindness. It is a reminder that strengthening British Columbia is not only about how we respond in difficult times; it is also about how we show up to celebrate and share our stories with others. Purchase your tickets here.
Learning and Leadership at FedPro
Last week, members of our Vancouver team joined nearly 1,000 professionals from 125 Jewish Federation communities at FedPro. With nearly a quarter of the continent-wide Federation workforce represented, the gathering underscored the shared commitment to excellence, collaboration, and care that drives Jewish communal service today. |
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| Participating in gatherings like this ensures that our community benefits from best practices, innovation, and the collective wisdom of peers across North America, all brought home to strengthen Jewish life here in Vancouver and our province. |
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| We were also proud not only to engage as participants, but to help shape the conversation, with Mijal Ben Dori, our Chief Planning Officer, leading a session for delegates on the innovative work we are advancing across British Columbia.
Attending professional development events is crucial for our staff as it not only enhances individual skills but also strengthens our team's overall effectiveness. These opportunities allow us to learn from one another, share best practices, and stay up to date on the latest trends in our field. This investment in growth fosters a culture of excellence and collaboration, empowering us to serve our community better.
As we head into Shabbat, we do so with renewed purpose and deep gratitude for the opportunity to represent you on the continental stage and to return stronger for it.
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Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver |
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| Join a Shabbat evening with guests from the Israel Guide Dog Center. RSVP here. |
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| Holocaust survivors and descendants' storytelling evening. RSVP here. |
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| Join the JDC global briefing from on the ground in Ukraine. Register here. |
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| RSVP for this Sunday's Wexner Speaker Series with Aaron Katler. |
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| Op-ed from CIJA's CEO on renewing Canada–Israel strategic ties amid a shifting global order; a recap of our Criminal Law Working Group convening on hate crimes and enforcement; and opportunities for you to take action and engage decision-makers on the issues that matter most. Read the op-ed here. |
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| In this SAPIR Conversation with Rabbi David Wolpe, KIND Snacks' founder, Daniel Lubetzky, explains how this mindset shaped his journey from arriving in the United States as a 16-year-old immigrant to becoming a multi-billionaire entrepreneur who founded one of the most recognizable health-food brands. Listen to the conversation here. |
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