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July 31, 2026 | 17 Av 5786 | Candle lighting at 8:35 p.m.
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This message has approximately 864 words and will take about 3 minutes to read.
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| When we think about British Columbia, we often think about mountains, oceans and breathtaking landscapes. Yet what makes this province truly special is something far less visible: the relationships, communities, and shared sense of responsibility that connect us to one another.
As we head into the BC Day long weekend, I find myself thinking about belonging. British Columbia has been home to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial, and ever since, people who came from somewhere else contributed, bringing their traditions, experiences and hopes for the future. Over generations, they built communities, institutions and relationships that helped transform this province into the diverse and vibrant place we know today.
For Jewish British Columbians, that story stretches back more than 160 years. Like so many others, our families arrived seeking opportunity, safety, and the chance to build a life. They put down roots, contributed to the communities around them and created places where Jewish life could flourish. Most importantly, they found a place to belong.
For those of us interested in how that story unfolded, we are fortunate to have the Jewish Museum & Archives of BC, one of our valued community partners, preserving and sharing the history of Jewish life in this province. Through its collections, exhibits, and educational programs, the Museum helps connect us to the generations who came before us and reminds us of the contributions Jewish British Columbians have made to communities across the province.
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| The Scribe is JMABC's annual publication documenting our history in the province. I was struck by the 1996 edition about the story of some of the earliest Jewish families in the Lower Mainland who arrived in a young British Columbia and built businesses, institutions, and community connections that helped shape the province we know today. Read more here. |
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| Learning about their experiences is a reminder that the vibrant Jewish communities we enjoy today did not simply appear. They were built by people who believed deeply in creating a future here, investing in their neighbours, and strengthening the places they called home.
Belonging Doesn't Happen by Chance
Belonging is never automatic. It is built when people welcome newcomers, volunteer their time, show up for one another and invest in the future of their communities.
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| That spirit is at the heart of British Columbia and at the heart of our work as Jewish Federation of British Columbia. Today, approximately 40,000 Jews call BC home, living in communities that span the province from Vancouver Island to the Kootenays, from the Okanagan to the Sea-to-Sky corridor and beyond. |
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| Each community is unique, shaped by its own people, geography and experiences. Yet together, they form one vibrant provincial Jewish community.
Welcoming Newcomers to BC
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| As part of our commitment to building a strong and inclusive Jewish community, we help newcomers connect, find resources and build meaningful relationships as they settle into life in British Columbia. Whether someone is arriving from another province or another country, creating a sense of belonging begins with connection. |
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| Visit our Newcomers to BC page to learn more.
Connection Across the Province
This year alone, hundreds of people have come together through Federation-supported programs and community initiatives across British Columbia.
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| Around Shabbat tables, on hiking trails, at holiday celebrations, volunteer projects, cultural programs and community gatherings, I have witnessed something powerful: people creating connection and strengthening a sense of belonging. In communities large and small, these moments remind us that Jewish life flourishes when we invest in one another and make space for people to come together. |
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| Whether in Victoria, Langley, Burnaby, the Okanagan, Salt Spring Island, Squamish, Whistler, Chilliwack, the Comox Valley or elsewhere, these moments remind us of an important truth: strong communities are built through relationships. Every gathering, large or small, helps create the connections that strengthen Jewish life and ensure that people feel seen, welcomed and valued.
Despite differences in geography, background and experience, we are stronger when we remain connected. The remarkable growth we have seen in communities across the province is a testament to that belief.
Discover Jewish Life Throughout BC
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| BC Day is a celebration of the province we share and the communities that make it strong. I encourage you to take a moment to explore our BC Communities page and Community Calendar to learn more about the people, programs, and events that help Jewish life thrive across British Columbia. |
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| You may discover a new event, a new community or a new opportunity to connect.
A Legacy of Community Building
Few people embodied that spirit more than Frances Belzberg z"l, whose passing this week we mourn alongside our community.
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| A visionary philanthropist, her generosity and leadership helped shape both Jewish and civic life in British Columbia. Throughout her life, Frances championed education, dialogue and community building, believing deeply in the power of bringing people together and creating opportunities for others to thrive. May her memory be for a blessing. |
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BC Day Office Closure
Please note that our offices will be closed on Monday, Aug. 3, in observance of BC Day and will reopen on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Thank you for all that you do to help build a stronger, more connected Jewish British Columbia.
Shabbat shalom and happy BC Day weekend,
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Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of British Columbia |
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| Hear from Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin. Get tickets. |
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| Join JACS's Shabbat dinner with the Vancouver community. RSVP here. |
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| Gather at the farm for a Shabbatluck picnic in Delta. Register here. |
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| Splash, play, and enjoy a sweet summer evening with PJ Library. Register here. |
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| Learn how Vancouver and Edmonton are redefining their Jewish community hubs. On this podcast, Ellin Bessner talks about building Jewish Canada out West with JWest's approval from the city of Vancouver for its revised plan, while Edmonton prepares to open its first JCC in nearly 15 years. Read more here. |
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