I’m in Israel this week, meeting with our partners and witnessing firsthand the resilience and renewal taking shape across the north. I look forward to sharing more about this meaningful visit with you next week.

As we enter Shabbat, we are deeply saddened by the passing of a pillar of our community, Reverend Joseph Marciano z”l. 

For more than four decades, his countless acts of chesed (kindness) and kavod (honour) touched every corner of our lives. Joseph’s legacy is one of constancy, generosity, and heart. He was a source of comfort and strength whose impact will resonate for years to come. 

May his memory be a blessing—and a reminder of the power of showing up with kindness, humility, and an open heart for one another. As we reflect on Joseph Marciano’s legacy of service and heart, we’re reminded of the importance of nurturing leadership and connection across generations and borders.

Visitors from GalilEast and Tel-Hai Academic College

That spirit was alive this week as we welcomed a special delegation from our partnership region in Israel of professional leaders as part of GalilEast—the Eastern Galilee Regional Leadership Program.

Now in its second cohort, this four-year landmark initiative trains current and emerging leaders from across the Eastern Galilee, fostering a collaborative mindset that promotes region-wide development and prosperity. Participants from diverse religious and backgrounds work together to advance inclusive growth and regional cooperation. Many of whom served their communities throughout the war, whether they stayed in the north or evacuated with their families. Now, they’ve all returned, eager to rebuild and strengthen their region together.

The group included Israelis from all walks of life—Druze, Bedouin, Haredi, secular, and religious—many of whom served their communities throughout the war, whether they stayed in the north or evacuated with their families. Now, they’ve all returned, eager to rebuild and strengthen their region together.

The delegation also joined Shabbat services in local synagogues, shared Shabbat dinners with community members, and gathered for a meaningful Havdalah ceremony to close Shabbat together. Throughout the week, they engaged with the current Wexner leadership cohort and representatives from our partner agencies for meaningful knowledge exchange.

Wexner Speaker Series Returns

We’re excited to welcome back the Wexner Speaker Series, generously supported by the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation. Centered around the theme “Our Wisdom, Our Future,” it invites us to explore timeless questions: What is Jewish wisdom? How do we lead as Jews? How does our tradition guide us in shaping a better world?    

To be Jewish is to thread together moments, teachings, histories, and experiences—delicate strands that, when woven together, form the fabric of our community. Each thread carries meaning, each pattern tells a story, and together they shimmer in shades of gold, white, and blue. 

We are honored to welcome Rabbi David Kasher, Rabbi Rachel Nussbaum, and Aaron Katler, educators whose insight, scholarship, and passion spark dialogue and reflection. Their teachings are threads that connect past and present, scholarship and lived experience, inviting everyone to engage, question, and grow. 

Last year, the series was brought to life by our incredible co-pilots—the spouses and partners of the Wexner cohort—who helped create spaces where curiosity, laughter, and learning flourished. Rooms across Vancouver were filled with conversation, reflection, and connection, illustrating the power of gathering as a community to explore our heritage together. 

This year, I have the privilege of serving as liaison to the current Wexner cohort, a role made natural because I am married to a Wexner fellow. Participating alongside the cohort and co-pilot group has allowed me to witness how Jewish learning can be deeply personal and profoundly communal. We share stories, ask questions, and see how our histories, identities, and values are intertwined. 

I bring my own story as a Sephardic Jew from Thessaloniki. My grandfather survived the Holocaust, though his parents did not, and 87% of the city’s Jewish population was lost. Last year, Professor Devin E. Naar, himself a third-generation Thessaloniki survivor, shared this history in a lecture, and it made the Speaker Series feel personal in a new way. It reminded me how much remains to be discovered, understood, and shared in our collective story. 

Our Wisdom, Our Future is more than a series of lectures—it is a living tapestry of learning, community, and connection. Each session offers an opportunity to weave our histories, insights, and questions together, strengthening the fabric of Vancouver’s Jewish community while illuminating the path forward for all of us. 

Just as the Wexner Speaker Series invites us to explore Jewish wisdom through dialogue and reflection, the Chutzpah! Festival brings that wisdom to life through art, performance, and storytelling

This year’s lineup is packed with festival favourites and fresh new voices, from laugh-out-loud comedy to powerful performances exploring identity, belonging, and connection. Expect local and international talent, engaging workshops, and plenty of opportunities to meet the artists behind the magic. If you’ve never been, this is the year we suggest you to go. And if you’re a longtime fan, you already know how special it is. 

Most tickets are Pay What You Will, so grab a friend (or two!) and make a night of it. Learn more here: chutzpahfestival.com.

Choices Tickets Closing Soon + Men's Poker Tournament Sold Out

Showing up for one another is at the heart of community - and its been incredible to see that spirit in action for our Annual Campaign events. 

A quick reminder: ticket sales for our 21st Annual Choices event close next Friday, and spots are limited - so secure yours today. Can't make it? you can still support community by purchasing a 50/50 ticket. And while our 3rd Annual Men's Philanthropy Texas Hold'em Tournament is now sold out, we're excited to welcome everyone next Thursday.