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June 5, 2026 | 20 Sivan 5786 | Candle lighting at 8:55 p.m.
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This message has approximately 1,340 words and will take about 5 minutes to read.
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| This past weekend, Whistler became a gathering place for Jewish communities from across British Columbia as it hosted Federation’s second Community Engagement Summit. It was not only a powerful expression of connection across the province, but also a first glimpse of what’s ahead. As we begin our transition to the Jewish Federation of British Columbia, you may start to notice our evolving identity, our new logo making a first appearance in some of the summit photos and across our social channels.
While the official brand launch is still two weeks away, consider this a small sneak peek of what’s to come. In the weeks ahead, you’ll see this new identity take shape across our website and platforms. Stay tuned, we look forward to sharing more with you very soon.
Strengthening Jewish life across British Columbia
Our first summit on the North Shore last year brought together 80 leaders. This year, that number grew to nearly 300 participants from 30 communities, including places as far-reaching as Prince George, Kamloops, the Comox Valley, Revelstoke and even Yellowknife.
The gathering was a beautiful, vibrant mosaic of Jewish life. Attendees represented all ages and levels of observance, bringing a wonderful blend of accents and backgrounds, from those born in Canada and Israel to families from Russian-speaking and Latin American countries.
Some of the most meaningful moments happened outside the formal sessions (and not just because of a local bear sighting!). Our fantastic shinshinim (Israeli youth emissaries) ran the kids' and teens' programming, giving families a wonderful opportunity to experience their incredible energy firsthand.
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| Through these activities, the bonds formed among the kids and youth were instantaneous and deeply moving. For several of the 50 children in attendance, it was a profound milestone, marking the very first time they had been surrounded by other Jewish kids after growing up as the only Jewish child in their class or school. |
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| Living in a small or rural town in a post-October 7 world can feel incredibly isolating. The goal of this summit was simple: to remind people they are not alone, and to help them build stronger local capacity using the tools and resources of the Federation ecosystem. Sessions, therefore, focused on community building, leadership, philanthropy, resilience, and Israel.
Throughout the weekend, participants shared their personal stories and raw realities. Among them was Sari Valensky from Yellowknife, who spoke movingly about the profound difficulties of experiencing October 7 and its aftermath in a remote community, feeling deeply isolated and unseen. Yet, that hardship is exactly what drove her to step up, build community, and foster resilience locally.
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| Our innovative approach, as the first Federation to establish such a robust network across a vast geography, drew in out-of-town keynote speakers, including Susan Jackson, a leading Jewish professional from Toronto, and Mimi Kravetz, Chief Impact & Growth Officer at Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). |
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| The strength of our ecosystem was fully on display as Federation Board members, agency leaders, and grassroots partners joined us to present, lead sessions, and share their expertise. Our deep connection to Israel was also central, highlighted by the participation of Yotam Degani, Chief Development Officer from Beit Vancouver in Kiryat Shmona. Together, their presence drove home a clear message: we are one with our partner agencies, and we are one with our partnership region. |
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| The true backbone of this initiative, both at the summit and year-round, is our incredible team of 11 connectors based in 10 communities across the province: Jessica Benoualid, Lizz Kelly, Mia Lammers, Regina Lvovski, Eliana Mandel-Carson, Elvira Molochkovetski, Ayala Resnik, Jenny Resnik, Helen Thomas Mann, Abbey Westbury and Annabel Wind. |
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| They personally brought community members in, led vital discussions, and continue to drive this work forward every day.
We owe a special thank you to our Whistler connector, Eliana. Thanks to the deep, years-long relationships she has nurtured in her community, we secured our venue and activities at a reduced rate, and enjoyed the talents of local performers who generously volunteered their time to lift our spirits.
An event of this magnitude would not have been possible without a dedicated village. We extend our deepest gratitude to our visionary philanthropic partner, the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation, that spearheads this work with us, and to the incredible Deborah Folka, who dreamed of this moment for many years and helped it come to life. |
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| We also thank our Chief Planning Officer, Mijal Ben-Dori, for her exceptional vision and leadership, Caryl Dolinko and Gayle Morris for leading critical sessions and all their efforts, along with the tireless Federation staff, especially Sarah Mackenzie and Ruvena Buslovich, who poured endless hours and effort into ensuring the summit’s success. |
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| Finally, we thank our partners at the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver Island (JFVVI), who are joining forces with us on this vital regional work and whose leadership team joined us at the summit.
As we look to the future as the Jewish Federation of British Columbia, we carry with us the energy, diversity, and inspiring resilience of this unforgettable weekend. Read more about the summit in the Times of Israel.
Celebrating Or Shalom's Reopening
At the same time, important work continues within our local community.
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| Mazel tov to Or Shalom on the completion of their renovation project. The renewed space, featuring updated classrooms, gathering areas, and improvements in accessibility and security, reflects a thoughtful commitment to inclusion and long-term sustainability. |
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| We supported this project by funding accessibility improvements and a state-of-the-art security infrastructure, enhancements that will ensure the space remains responsive to the community's needs for generations to come. We celebrate this milestone and look forward to the positive impact the renewed facility will have on its visitors and programs.
Lion of Judah and Pomegranate Appreciation Event
This week, we also gathered for an inspiring evening celebrating the power of women in philanthropy and their impact across our community, with Prof. Naela Quadri Baloch and Shilan Zade leading a meaningful conversation that added an important perspective to the evening.
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| Lions of Judah and Pomegranates are an international sisterhood of women committed to their local communities and to ensuring a vibrant Jewish future. We were joined by 12 Lion “cubs,” and the room reflected deep passion, generosity, and leadership, grounded in a shared commitment to strengthening Jewish life locally and globally. |
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If you would like to learn more about the Lion of Judah and Pomegranate program, please reach out to [email protected].
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| A national moment and the responsibility that follows |
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| This week, the Prime Minister addressed the country and spoke directly about antisemitism as a serious and growing threat, not only to the Jewish community, but to the foundations of Canadian society. He acknowledged the scale and specificity of the challenge, as well as the need for a focused, targeted response. Read the official news release here. |
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Unfortunately, instead of urgent, concrete measures, the government announced the formation of an Advisory Council, tasked with further evaluating a crisis that has already been extensively studied, and whose formation and composition fail to reflect the urgency and seriousness required to confront the antisemitism crisis.
That is why our Federation joined partners across Canada and CIJA in calling for clear recognition of the problem, focused enforcement, action against terrorism and radicalization, and an end to government funding for organizations that promote hatred toward the Jewish community. We encourage you to read the open letter to the Prime Minister, signed by Noah Shack, CEO of CIJA, along with Federation executives. Read more here.
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| The challenge is well understood. What is needed now is action, clear, timely measures that strengthen safety, accountability, and confidence that Canada remains a place where Jewish life can thrive.
Join us in sending a message to the Prime Minister: it’s time for immediate measures. Take action here.
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| Before I close, a reminder to join us at our upcoming Annual General Meeting on June 22, a chance to come together as a community, reflect on the year behind us, and look ahead to what comes next. Register here.
And keep an eye on next week’s Shabbat message, when we will introduce this year’s award recipients.
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Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver |
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| Attend a panel discussion on Canadian antisemitism. Register here. |
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| Explore the life-saving impact of organ donation. Register here. |
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| Explore Victoria’s shore at low tide with PJ Library Kids. Register here. |
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| Join a scenic Burnaby hike and connect over coffee and treats. Register here. |
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| Kai Balin’s YouTube series, Still Seeking, brings together conversations with Jews from around the world, exploring different perspectives on Jewish identity and lived experience. The project reflects his ongoing effort to deepen his understanding of Judaism and the world around him. It’s an invitation to listen, reflect, and engage with different perspectives. Learn more here. |
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