Our History

Since 1987, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver has helped fund much-needed programs and services locally, in Israel and around the world. Thanks to your generosity we have raised more than $130 million to make this all possible.

The Jewish Federation we see today is the result of a merger between the local United Jewish Appeal campaign, and the Jewish Community Fund and Council; a merger that was facilitated by the leadership and vision of Arthur Fouks and Lois Raphael,. In Jewish Federation’s first three years , the number of beneficiary agencies grew from 14 to 33 under the leadership of inaugural president Robert Coleman and executive director Steven Drysdale.

In 1989, the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Vancouver (then called the Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation) was established as a planned giving program focused on the long-range needs of the community and the growth and innovation of critical programs and services.

In 2002, we began to see remarkable momentum in Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign gifts, which grew from $4.2 million annually to $7.5 million in just six years.

Today, our community’s diversity continues to grow and the needs of our members become more complex. Jewish Federation is committed to meeting these needs, and strengthening our community's ties with Israel and World Jewry. With 34 partner agencies, Jewish Federation touches the lives of thousands of community members on the Lower Mainland, in Israel and around the world.