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January 30, 2026 | 12 Shevat 5786 | Candle lighting at 4:48 p.m.
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This message has approximately 970 words and will take about 3 minutes to read.
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| This week brought a long‑awaited measure of closure when the remains of the final hostage, Master Sgt. Ran Gvili were returned to Israel. For the first time since 2014, there are no Israeli hostages held in Gaza. |
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| In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, the public clock that had counted every passing second since October 7 was stopped at 843 days and 12 hours, a symbolic end to a long vigil. Across Israel and in Jewish communities worldwide, many removed yellow ribbon pins, with hope and grief in the same breath. |
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National Commitments to Combat Antisemitism in Canada
On Monday, the Federal Government released the National Commitments to Combat Antisemitism, which reflects months of dialogue across all levels of government in response to the sharp rise in antisemitism affecting Jewish communities across Canada. We’re grateful to our advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), whose steady, strategic work, grounded in partnership with Federations nationwide, has kept our community’s concerns on the national agenda and helped move policy from statements to commitments.
In December, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism, B’nai Brith Canada, Canadian Women Against Antisemitism, and Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center issued a joint statement on Bill C‑9, the Combatting Hate Act, welcoming its intent while calling for targeted amendments and broader multi‑party consensus.
Being heard is only the first step. What matters now is meaningful follow‑through: consistent enforcement of existing laws, timely advancement of core provisions in Bill C‑9, and coordinated action that strengthens protections for Jewish communities across the country. Commitments on paper are promising, but their impact depends on how quickly and effectively they are put into practice.
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| As that national conversation continues, CIJA has also released an Action Alert urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to confront antisemitism and extremism. We invite you to add your voice and take action now. |
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Marking Holocaust Remembrance together
From commitments to action, “Never Again” begins with remembrance. With that in mind, our community gathered to learn, honour, and stand together at The Bayit with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre (VHEC). |
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| In front of a full room, Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie read the City’s proclamation, and Holocaust survivor Marie Doduck delivered the evening's keynote address. The evening reflected the community's commitment to remembering and honouring the past. |
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| On campus, Hillel BC carried the learning forward with a week of programs for Jewish and non-Jewish students, which created room for conversation, context, and quiet reflection, part of a campus tradition of marking the International Holocaust Remembrance Day (IHRD) through multi‑day education and dialogue. The series included a screening of Son of a Seeker, a Name Reading Ceremony led by AEPi, and an evening with survivor Malka Pischanitskaya, co‑presented with VHEC. |
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| The week concluded with a Shabbat dinner shared with Holocaust survivors, where conversation turned remembrance into relationship, binding memory to action, entrusting the new generation to carry their stories forward. |
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| In British Columbia, landmarks lit up in yellow, showcasing regional solidarity in remembrance. Thank you to the cities of Vancouver, Port Moody and Port Coquitlam for marking the day with their civic illumination program. |
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Vancouver Jewish Community Garden
At the heart of the Vancouver Jewish Community Garden is collaboration. |
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| Vancouver Talmud Torah, Jewish Family Services, and Congregation Beth Israel created and steward this space together, turning a shared vision into a working garden and a welcoming community hub. Students, families, and seniors learn by doing, planting, caring, and harvesting, and seeing in real time how shared effort nourishes both bodies and spirit. |
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| The garden also advances community well‑being. Through this partnership, the space brings together people from many walks of life, newcomers and long‑time neighbours, volunteers and those facing food insecurity, to garden, harvest, and share meals. |
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| It is a magnet and an equalizer, where care becomes action and Jewish values are lived through tzedakah, achrayut, and tikkun olam. “We are so proud of the fact that 1,000 pounds of its fresh fruits and vegetables helped feed the food insecure in our Jewish community this past year.” — Rabbi Jonathan Infeld, Congregation Beth Israel. |
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| At Vancouver Talmud Torah, 555 students visit the garden multiple times each year across grades and subjects. Teachers integrate the space into science and health, outdoor reading in language arts, and movement and mindfulness in physical education. Leadership grows alongside vegetables. |
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| An important component of this work is the Green Thumb Club, our Grade 6/7 leadership program, which gives students meaningful ownership of the garden through regular care, planting, and maintenance. Through this ongoing responsibility, students develop leadership skills, a strong sense of accountability, and a deeper connection to the space. |
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| The garden turns intention into everyday habits, seedlings started on site become meals shared around a table, and harvest days become moments of joy. |
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| Experience the transformative power of the garden, a nurturing space designed to enhance food access, foster a sense of belonging, and cultivate a culture of care. This spring, join Garden Coordinator Maggie Wilson and our dedicated volunteers to make a meaningful impact. Connect with her here to get involved. |
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Tu B’Shevat and upcoming events
With that spirit alive in the garden, we turn to Tu B’Shevat, the New Year of the Trees. We started celebrating last Sunday. |
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| Our PJ Library Tour brought Tu B’Shevat joy to Victoria at Congregation Emanu-El, where PJ professionals Elvira Molochkovetski and Katia Fermon welcomed over 50 participants. The event included blessings over fruits and the earth, planter decorating, flower planting, story time, and pizza. |
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| To request a PJ visit to your community—whether at a synagogue, public school, local library, or friends’ group—reach out to Katia to explore how PJ Library can bring Jewish joy to your space.
Our community calendar is full of events for Tu B'Shevat s in Port Moody, Squamish, Delta, and Victoria, and more. No matter how you choose to participate, whether it's by learning, getting your hands dirty with planting, or just enjoying some time with the community, your involvement matters.
Shabbat shalom,
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Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver |
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| The people of Iran deserve our solidarity. Take action here. |
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| Attention young adults: This is your last chance to register! RSVP here. |
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| Ordinary, Extraordinary is the survival story of Rubin Pinsky z"l, Bernard Pinsky’s father. Rubin fled a Nazi work camp in May 1942 and survived for more than two years in the forests of Poland, serving as a teenage Jewish partisan. It is also the story of what Rubin did with his life after the Holocaust. Learn more here. |
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I joined The Hub to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day and reflect on how the Holocaust began with small moral compromises—parallels we can’t ignore as antisemitism rises today. I spoke about the dangers of excluding Jews, the need for real leadership, and our community’s unwavering commitment to Canada despite growing threats.
Watch the interview here. |
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