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June 26, 2026 | 11 Tammuz 5786 | Candle lighting at 9:04 p.m.
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This message has approximately 1,055 words and will take about 4 minutes to read.
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| As Shabbat approaches, our thoughts are with the Jewish community in Venezuela following the devastating back-to-back earthquakes. Through our Venezuela Emergency Campaign, we are preparing to send urgent aid to help ensure affected families do not face this moment alone. |
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This is deeply personal within our community and among our staff, grounded in real connections to families and communities in Venezuela. In times of crisis, our role is clear: to respond with care, speed, and a deep sense of shared responsibility, wherever our community may be.
Make your gift here. |
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Becoming Jewish Federation of British Columbia
Before anything else, we want to take a moment to say our name, clearly and proudly:
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| We are the Jewish Federation of British Columbia. It is not simply a rebrand; it is a recognition of who we have become. |
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| Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver built something extraordinary. Over time, that work expanded beyond any one city. We followed our community into Richmond, White Rock, Coquitlam, and far beyond, because that is what a Federation does. It shows up, builds infrastructure, and ensures that no Jewish family, regardless of where they live, feels alone. |
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Today, we are a truly provincial Federation. With eleven regional connectors spanning more than 30 cities, we brought together 10,063 participants and 732 volunteers across 321 events this year, from the Lower Mainland to Kelowna to Victoria and beyond.
Thanks to the visionary support of the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation, we nearly doubled our regional footprint in a single year. |
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This is what it means to be Jewish Federation of British Columbia: connected, present, and growing.
This work matters deeply, especially now. At a time when antisemitism is rising, and many members of our community are feeling its impact in real and personal ways, the need for connection, support, and strong communal infrastructure has never been more important.
We are seeing what happens when Jewish communities feel isolated, and we are also seeing the strength that comes when they are connected, supported, and able to show up with confidence.
Our response is not to pull inward, but to reach further, ensuring that every Jewish individual and family across British Columbia feels seen, supported, and part of something larger.
Over the past year, this community has achieved so much. We strengthened communal security, deepened partnerships, and moved forward with a clear strategic direction that is already shaping our work. We expanded how we collaborate with our partner agencies, building stronger relationships and a more coordinated system to respond to emerging needs.
We also supported critical efforts to address antisemitism, investing in both immediate response and long-term impact, including important legal work happening right here in British Columbia.
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At the same time, we continued to grow across every area of Federation’s work, expanding programs, strengthening community spaces, and increasing support during a critical time both locally and abroad.
This kind of progress is only possible because of a community that shows up, thoughtfully, consistently, and together. |
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| To learn more, we invite you to read our Annual Report. |
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| Alongside this growth, we also embarked on reimagining how Federation presents itself and connects with our community. Below, Caryl Dolinko, our director of Communications and Marketing, shares more about the rebranding process.
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| Over the past year, we’ve undertaken an important evolution, moving from the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver to the Jewish Federation of British Columbia. What we are launching now is not just a new name or logo, but a transformation of how we show up, communicate, and connect across the province. |
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| At the centre of this work is a unified brand anchored by our new logo and visual identity, modern, simple, and enduring, while reflecting the depth of community and continuity that defines Federation. A cohesive design system now ensures consistency across everything we do.
This week marks the full public launch of that transformation.
Our new website has been rebuilt to be more intuitive and accessible, making it easier to find programs, resources, and ways to connect. Our refreshed social media channels bring forward the stories, partnerships, and impact of our work in a more visible and engaging way.
Together, these platforms shape how our community experiences Federation every day.
Importantly, this is an evolution, not a departure. The relationships, trust, and shared history at the heart of Federation remain unchanged, even as our outward expression evolves. We are proud to share a brand that reflects who we are today and how we are growing together across British Columbia.
We also want to recognize Alvin Wasserman for his years of dedicated support and guidance, and for his leadership and partnership in helping shape this work.
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Explore Our New JFBC Website
As Caryl mentioned, we are proud to share the launch of our new Jewish Federation of British Columbia website, a dynamic platform that brings our work, impact, and community to life in a more accessible and engaging way.
Bringing that visibility to life takes vision, discipline, and an extraordinary effort behind the scenes. |
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| Explore the new website here. We want to recognize and congratulate our Marketing and Communications team for bringing this transformation with clarity and creativity. We are especially grateful to Yamila Chikiar, associate director of Marketing and Communications, for her leadership of this project, and ensuring that how we show up truly reflects who we are today, and to our Graphics and Multimedia Designer, Roni Zada, for bringing it to life.
Leadership and Looking Ahead
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| At our 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM), we had the opportunity to thank Lana Marks Pulver for her outstanding leadership over the past three years as Board Chair. Through her vision and dedication, she strengthened partnerships, expanded our reach across British Columbia, and helped position Federation for the future. We are deeply grateful for all she has given to our community. |
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| We welcomed Jonathon Leipsic, our incoming Chair, who steps into a JFBC that is more ambitious, more provincial, and more purposeful than ever. We look forward to what we will continue to build together under his leadership.
Celebrating Our Graduates
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| As the school year comes to a close, we extend heartfelt congratulations to the graduating classes of Richmond Jewish Day School, Vancouver Talmud Torah, and King David High School. To the graduates, may you carry forward what you have learned with confidence and curiosity, and continue to strengthen Jewish life wherever your path leads. |
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| We wish all students and families a restful and meaningful summer, filled with pride in what has been accomplished and excitement for what lies ahead.
A final note, Canada Day falls on Wednesday, July 1, and our office will be closed. Wishing you a joyful and meaningful day, celebrating with family, friends, and community.
Shabbat shalom,
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Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver |
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| Explore Vancouver’s Jewish history on a guided walking tour. Register here. |
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| Get outdoors with Vancouver Cycling Without Age. Register here. |
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In this Times of Israel blog, I reflect on our journey to becoming the Jewish Federation of British Columbia, exploring what a name represents, how it shapes identity, and why this evolution matters for our growing, province-wide community today shared.
Read more here. |
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| Check out this article in The Canadian Jewish News. It offers an inspiring look at the next generation of Jewish leaders in Canada and the significant impact they are already making in communities across the country. The piece highlights innovation, leadership, and the future strength of Jewish life in Canada for generations to come. Read the article here. |
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