|
May 15, 2026 | 28 Iyar 5786 | Candle lighting at 8:32 p.m.
|
|
|
This message has approximately 929 words and will take about 3 minutes to read.
|
|
| As we move through May, we take this opportunity to recognize and honour Asian Heritage Month, celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of Asian communities across Canada. It is also a time to reaffirm the importance of allyship, showing up for one another, listening with intention, and standing together against hate and discrimination in all its forms.
In a month that also invites us to reflect on our own Jewish heritage, including celebrations taking place at the JCC, we are reminded that honouring our identities goes hand in hand with respecting and uplifting the identities of others. Our strength as a community is deepened when we recognize the shared values of history, resilience, and belonging that connect us all. Learn how to celebrate Jewish Heritage Month at the JCC here.
Learning Together: From Federation 101 to Foundation 101
Building on our recent Federation 101 sessions, we hosted Foundation 101, a webinar designed to give our community a closer look at how the Jewish Community Foundation works, who it serves, and how you can make it part of your own philanthropic journey. The webinar offered a clear look at how the Foundation supports lasting community impact, including how funds can be established, how thoughtful stewardship works, and how legacy giving supports both today's needs and future priorities.
|
|
If you missed the session or would like a refresher, we invite you to watch the recording and share it with anyone interested in learning how meaningful, long‑term impact can begin.
Watch the recording here. |
|
|
Honouring Rabbi Dan Moskovitz
This past weekend, our community came together in an extraordinary way to celebrate Rabbi Dan Moskovitz, as Temple Sholom marked 13 years of his leadership as Senior Rabbi, fittingly coinciding with his Bar Mitzvah date on May 9.
Over the years, I have worked closely with Dan through moments of challenge, growth, and vision‑building for our community, and this celebration felt like a reflection of all of that and more. Hearing tributes from so many voices who have walked alongside him was a powerful reminder of how rare and impactful his leadership truly is. And on Saturday, watching him share the bimah with Jonah Freedman and read Torah together felt profoundly full‑circle, one generation honouring another.
|
|
| One of the most powerful moments of the weekend came when Deputy Mayor Sarah Kirby‑Yung presented a City of Vancouver proclamation officially declaring May 9, 2026, “Rabbi Dan Moskovitz Day.” On Sunday, more than 200 Temple Sholom School students honoured him with poems and songs, followed by a joyful Bagels & Shmear, a community-wide reception. |
|
|
Celebrating Leadership and Advocacy
We also want to recognize Lana Marks Pulver, our Board Chair, whose leadership and commitment to our community continue to shape and strengthen our work, and who was honoured at Action West with the CJPAC Impact Award. Lana’s leadership, grounded in thoughtfulness, courage, and deep dedication, sets a powerful example for our community. |
|
| It was especially meaningful to see her receive a City of Vancouver proclamation, presented by Mayor Ken Sim and Vancouver City Councillors, officially declaring May 11, 2026, “Lana Marks Pulver Day.” We are deeply grateful for her leadership and proud to see her impact recognized so publicly. |
|
|
| Kol Hakavod, Lana!
Community Moments That Brought Us Together
The Vancouver Jewish Community Garden Open House provided a natural and welcoming atmosphere, with sunshine and a relaxed vibe that set the tone for a joyful afternoon. Featuring simple activities, tasty treats, and early-season blooms, there was truly something for everyone.
At its core, the garden is also a place of care, where fresh fruits and vegetables help support members of our Jewish community facing food insecurity, and where volunteers and participants come together to garden, harvest, and share.
|
|
Though the garden beds are just beginning to fill, guests caught a glimpse of what’s to come, and many went home with plants and seeds to carry that spirit forward.
To learn more about the community garden's impact and importance, we invite you to revisit a previous Shabbat message here. |
|
|
A Shared Legacy Across Generations
That same sense of connection and continuity came to life at the VTT gala last night, where the community celebrated The Roots We Share, honouring Class of ’68 alumnus David Bogoch, the curator and preserver of the school’s vast archives, capturing the faces and stories of VTT from its 1948 founding to today. It was an evening filled with meaningful moments and special surprises, including an alumni (and future alumni) choir. |
|
| In one standout moment, alumni across generations came together in song, voices spanning decades, an inspiring reminder of the lasting impact of Jewish education and enduring connections. Watch the moment here. |
|
|
One Community, Together
That same spirit of connection was felt in another powerful way as nearly 300 women and children gathered in one room, creating something truly special through the Challah Mom (Anat Ishai) event. What unfolded was more than a challah bake; it was a celebration of joy, Judaism, and connection, filled with dancing, laughter, and shared tradition. |
|
| Organized by the National Council of Jewish Women Vancouver (NCJW), in collaboration with local synagogues and supported by PJ Library, the evening brought together participants from different denominations and walks of life. In that one space, you could feel what community really means: warm, welcoming, and deeply rooted in shared experience. |
|
|
| As we head into the long weekend, please note our offices will be closed on Monday, May 18 – Victoria Day and Friday, May 22 – Shavuot.
From our Federation family to yours, we wish you a restful Shabbat and a wonderful Victoria Day long weekend.
Shabbat shalom,
|
|
Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver |
|
 |
| Watch an animated series on Arab-Jewish history in the Middle East here. |
 |
| Urge CRA leadership to uphold a fair & transparent complaint process here. |
|
| Each issue of The Scribe Quarterly® brings together smart journalism, culture, ideas, and stories reflecting Jewish life in Canada today, thoughtful, relevant, and beautifully done. You can subscribe for free to receive upcoming print editions, mailed directly to your door. It’s reading you’ll linger with, not scroll past, and share with friends and family. Read the Spring Edition here. |
|
|
|
