“Having been here for about two months, we feel that the staff members and community have been so welcoming, assisting us in every way we need to help us feel settled,” Rabbi Avi Garson, new assistant rabbi at Congregation Schara…
Prior to the Holocaust, 3.3 million Jews were living in Poland. By 1945, only 300,000 to 350,000 had survived. Haya Newman’s parents were among the survivors, and she has documented their stories in film. In 2014, she completed Wolbrom: My…
The revival of a printed publication is a rare occasion. The folks behind the Spring 2026 Parchment: Contemporary Canadian Jewish Writing should be commended. It is the first issue of the journal to be published since 2014. The hope is…
Grief is an interesting thing. You can think you feel fine, but then you feel anything but. You can think you’re operating as per usual but then find you’re missing things. In the months after my father passed away in…
It might be a sign of the times. The three children’s books that have come across my desk have serious themes: defending freedom, speaking up for human rights and standing up to bullies and dictators. The two recent books I…
As usual, I spent as much time researching what I might create for the Independent’s holiday cover as I did creating it. Lots of themes went through my head, as did lots of possible styles. When I shared with my…
In searching for holiday recipes, I came across the website of award-winning chef and restaurateur Andrew Zimmern. A media personality, Zimmern advocates for sustainable food systems and promotes cultural understanding, among several other causes. He is involved with many organizations…
“The heart of the mission has remained remarkably consistent for 80 years: caring for Jewish seniors with dignity, compassion and respect, while creating a place where Jewish values, traditions and community are part of everyday life,” Ricki Thal, executive director…
When the late Leon Glassman and his wife, Rose Marie, established the Leon Glassman Fund for Jewish Continuity through Education with the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Vancouver a decade ago, the businessman and philanthropist hoped that the Jewish community…
