"2023 Year in Review"

Shabbat Message from CEO Ezra S. Shanken
 

These last few months have been some of the most challenging for our extended family in Israel and for our community locally. For us at Federation, the light in this darkness has been the extraordinary response of our community to the crisis in Israel. Not only through peoples' generosity but in the many ways we shown up for each other, from community security volunteers to the thousands who have attended rallies or participated in letter writing campaigns, we will get through this together.

This week, community leader Fran Belzberg penned a powerful op-ed in the National Post on the anti-Israel vitriol taking place on university campuses including in the SFU library bearing the Belzberg name. Kol Hakavod to Fran for speaking out on this important issue. You can read it here. 

While it can be hard to look back before October 7th, there have been many milestones and accomplishments this year that should be celebrated, and the last Shabbat of the year is the perfect time to do that. 

Thank you for supporting our work with over 30 partners here, in Israel and around the world. Together, we have made an unprecedented impact in 2023.

Shabbat shalom and Happy New Year!

Ezra S. Shanken

CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver

P.S. The deadline to receive your 2023 tax receipt is fast approaching. Renew your gift to the Federation Annual Campaign here before 11:59 p.m. on December 31st.