Centre for Judaism

Centre for Judaism helps out

Rabbi Falik Schtroks of the Centre for Judaism of the Fraser Valley/Chabad with one cartful of the donations that were flown to flood victims. (photo from Centre for Judaism)

One of the often-quoted phrases heard in the Centre for Judaism of the Fraser Valley/Chabad is “A little light dispels a lot of darkness.” So, when darkness, in the form of devastating floods, hit parts of the Fraser Valley and other parts of British Columbia, Rabbi Falik and Simie Schtroks took it as their cue to spread light.

“Without knowing yet how we would get the food over to those in crisis, I put out a call to the community to bring non-perishable, ready-to-eat, nourishing food items,” said Simie Schtroks. “Meanwhile, I was in touch with MPs, MLAs and pastors in the impacted regions, as well as various pilots of small planes. I was told by the secretary for MP Randeep Sarai that they had done the first airlift and people were literally lined up for the food at a gas station. Snow had begun to fall, so they dropped the food to be distributed and returned immediately, planning to go back in as soon as the weather improved. The imperative for a collection became even stronger as a new storm was threatening more flooding.”

At least one of the families evacuated from Merritt was from the Jewish community. They were stuck in Kamloops for the week but at least they were in a motel, said Schtroks.

“With the help of an anonymous donor,” she continued, “we managed to purchase caseloads of items that would be very helpful.”

Although the centre was in the midst of producing various Chanukah programs at the time, they stopped what they were doing in order to organize the items and get them to a volunteer pilot at the Langley airport.

“We are very proud of our small Jewish community with a big heart, who came forth to help their neighbours,” said Schtroks. “May G-d bless everyone and keep us all safe. Our hope is that we brought at least a bit of light and hope to Hope, as well as to those evacuated from Mission, Princeton [and other areas].”

– Courtesy Centre for Judaism of the Fraser Valley/Chabad

Call for nominations – Lamplighter Award

The Centre for Judaism of the Lower Fraser Valley is looking for nominations for its annual Lamplighter Award, which honours a child who has performed an outstanding act of community service. Candidates must be between the ages of 6 and 18 and submission of potential recipients must include two references describing the child’s community service.

The chosen Lamplighter will receive the award, as well as a monetary gift, on Dec. 9, 7 p.m., at Semiahmoo Shopping Centre in a ceremony led by Rabbi Falik and Simie Schtroks, directors of the Centre for

Judaism, with various official representatives of the cities of Surrey, White Rock, Langley and Delta in attendance.

Last year, twins Emily and Jessie Miller received the award for spearheading the Live2Give program in their NCSY chapter. They also managed to get many other teenagers to get involved in projects focused on helping others.

To nominate a candidate for the award or to sponsor the gift or event, contact Simie Schtroks as soon as possible at [email protected].

Celebrating the lights

Left to right are Rabbi Falik Schtroks, Jason Aginsky, Jessie Miller, Emily Miller and Rebbetzin Simie Schtroks. (photo by Naomi Nelson)

When Adina Ragetli, age 9, opened the annual public menorah lighting event on Dec. 17 at the Semiahmoo Shopping Centre by playing “Padah Bishalom” on the harp, “we knew it was going to be a ‘light-filled’ Chanukah program,” said Rabbi Falik Schtroks, co-director of the Centre for Judaism-Chabad of the Lower Fraser Valley (C4J).

Members of the Legislative Assembly Marvin Hunt and Tracey Redies, as well as White Rock Councilor Bill Lawrence and Surrey Councilor Mike Starchuk, each addressed the crowd with meaningful and timely messages. Chazzan Yaakov Orzech lit the chanukiyah and got everyone to join him in singing some Chanukah favourites. Prof. Rudy Rozanski entertained the audience with an arrangement of Jewish lullabies and music of Jewish composers.

photo - Chazzan Yaakov Orzech lit the chanukiyah and got everyone to join him in singing some Chanukah favourites — Chazzan Yaakov Orzech lit the chanukiyah and got everyone to join him in singing some Chanukah favourites. *(photo by Naomi Nelson)*

Perhaps the greatest highlight of the evening was the 2017 Young Lamplighter Award, which was presented to Emily Miller and Jessie Miller. The young women devote a lot of their time to making life more pleasant for those who are struggling materially or emotionally. By spearheading the Live2Give program in their NCSY chapter, they are also managing to get many other teenagers involved in projects that are focused on helping others.

“Kudos to the supportive parents and grandparents of Emily and Jessie Miller. We know that these young women have great role models in their lives and that they were not raised in a vacuum,” said C4J co-director Simie Schtroks at the event.

A few rounds of “Let’s Make a Chanukah Deal” were played, and there were doughnuts, chocolate gelt, dreidel glasses and dreidels given out.

Rabbi Yitzchak and Henia Wineberg made it out from Vancouver on a very rainy evening to join the festivities. Marat Dreyshner and Ella Dreyshner donated the doughnuts and Moshe Chanowitz of Plaque Impact in Montreal made the beautiful awards.

Iron Chef Chanukah 2017

On Dec. 13, after the lighting of the menorah and a Chanukah party at the Centre for Judaism (C4J) in Surrey, participants in the Iron Chef Chanukah Competition filled the C4J kitchen. The excitement was palpable as the chefs and their teams quickly planned and executed the preparation of their dishes.

“It was really wonderful to see teenagers, millennials, parents and grandparents working together seamlessly and having so much fun,” said shluchah Simie Schtroks.

“The competition this year was taken to a whole new level,” said Rabbi Nuta Yisroel Shurack, who is one part of The Rabbi and the Chef, with chef Marat Dreyshner.

Although various prizes were awarded, all the participants agreed that dinner together at Rabbi Falik and Simie Schtroks would be the best way to celebrate another great championship.

Millers to receive Lamplighter

This year’s Lamplighter Award recipients are Emily, left, and Jessie Miller. (photo by Josh Bowie Photography)

The Centre for Judaism of the Lower Fraser Valley has selected Emily and Jessie Miller, Grade 10 twin sisters at Prince of Wales Secondary School, as the recipients of this year’s Lamplighter Award, which honours youth who have performed outstanding acts of community service.

In 2016, Emily and Jessie initiated a social action program called Live2Give in conjunction with Vancouver NCSY. Their goal was to do more volunteer work and good deeds in the community, and they organized events that included feeding the homeless in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and baking challah for the residents of Louis Brier Home and Hospital. Among their fundraising activities to support their work was a successful paper clip exchange at Richmond Centre.

“These events prompted many other Jewish teens to become involved with NCSY and the community as a whole, spreading goodness and kindness,” said Simie Schtroks, co-director of the Centre for Judaism. “It also helped many people work towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award by fulfilling the 13-hour community service requirement.”

Emily and Jessie are planning Live2Give events for 2018 and intend on making contributions to the food bank and donating toys to sick children. They feel honoured to be considered for this award and hope to continue to get more people involved in helping the community.

“Chanukah celebrates the victory of light over darkness and goodness over evil,” Schtroks said. “This is a most appropriate opportunity to motivate and inspire young people to make this world a brighter and better place, by filling the world with goodness and kindness – that light can dispel all sorts of darkness.”

Emily and Jessie will receive their awards on Sunday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m., at the Centre for Judaism’s annual public menorah lighting at Semiahmoo Shopping Centre’s food court, 1701-152 St. in South Surrey. Dignitaries, including the mayors and some councilors of White Rock and Surrey, as well as representatives from Langley and Delta, will be in attendance, as will members of the Legislative Assembly. For more information or to help sponsor this project, please email [email protected].

Aginsky this year’s Lamplighter

Jason Aginsky (photo from Centre for Judaism of the Lower Fraser Valley)

The Centre for Judaism of the Lower Fraser Valley has announced the recipient of its annual Lamplighter Award, which honors a child who has performed an outstanding act of community service.

Jason Aginsky, a 16-year-old Grade 11 student at McMath Secondary in Richmond, was the second-youngest participant in the B.C. Ride to Conquer Cancer in August 2016, when he rode the 250 kilometres from Surrey to Seattle over two days.

“He’d announced eight months earlier that it was a cause he was determined to support and no safety concerns raised by his worried mother could deter him,” said Mark Aginsky, Jason’s father.

Jason was motivated to do this ride after losing his grandmother, Shirley Kramer, to ovarian cancer in 2003, when he was just 3 years old. He joined the Village Idiots, a group of riders in the Steveston area, and, after raising close to $4,000 to support the B.C. Cancer Agency, powered through the race.

“We followed him on Day 1 by car and he was utterly exhausted, on the brink of admitting he’d ‘bitten off more than he could chew’ by participating,” his father recalled. “The winds were against the riders that day and it was hard going. But, when it comes to determination, Jason has it in spades and he pushed through on Day 2, waiting hours at the last stop so he could cross the finish line with other members of the group who were well behind him.”

In total, this year’s participants in the B.C. Ride to Conquer Cancer raised $7.1 million for cancer research.

Jason will receive the Lamplighter Award on Dec. 29 at the Semiahmoo Shopping Centre at a ceremony attended by Rabbi Falik and Simie Schtroks, directors of the Centre for Judaism, White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin, and representatives of the cities of Surrey, White Rock, Langley and Delta.

“Chanukah celebrates the victory of light over darkness and goodness over evil,” said Simie Schtroks. “This is a most appropriate opportunity to motivate and inspire young people to make this world a brighter and better place. By filling the world with goodness and kindness, that light can dispel all sorts of darkness.”

Nominate a mensch

The Centre for Judaism of the Lower Fraser Valley is looking for nominations for its annual Lamplighter Award, which honors a child who has performed an outstanding act of community service.

Candidates must be between the ages of 6 and 18 and nominations of potential recipients must include two references describing the child’s community service. The chosen lamplighter will receive the award Dec. 29 at the Semiahmoo Shopping Centre at a 7 p.m. ceremony attended by Rabbi Falik and Simie Schtroks, directors of the Centre for Judaism, White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin and representatives of the cities of Surrey, White Rock, Langley and Delta.

Last year, Richmond twins Sarah and Amy Aginsky received the award for their work hosting a street store for the homeless and impoverished. The project, a one-day pop-up store, gave “shoppers” the opportunity to select apparel and shoes without the exchange of money.

To nominate a candidate for the award, contact Simie Schtroks as soon as possible at [email protected].

Nominate a young light

Yosef Nider, centre, receives the inaugural Lamplighter Award last year. (photo from Centre for Judaism)

Do you, or does someone you know, qualify for the Centre for Judaism Young Lamplighter Award? Has anyone you know between the ages of 5 and 18 made a unique effort to illuminate their world by performing extra special deeds of goodness and kindness?

Last Chanukah, on Dec. 21, Yosef Nider, 7, received the Centre for Judaism Young Lamplighter Award at the annual public menorah lighting in the Semiahmoo Shopping Centre. White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin, Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner and Rabbi Falik and Rebbetzin Simie Schtroks, co-directors of the Centre for Judaism of the Fraser Valley, presented Yosef with an engraved trophy, as well as a cash prize.

“Chanukah celebrates the victory of light over darkness and goodness over evil. This is a most appropriate opportunity to motivate and inspire young people … with a little light, they can dispel all sorts of darkness,” said Simie Schtroks.

“We were delighted to bestow this honor upon young Yosef because he turned the painful experience of dealing with his grandfather’s terminal cancer into an opportunity to do good for others. With his parents’ support, he organized an event – highlighted by his own violin performance – A Concert for a Cure, which raised $10,000 for cancer research,” she added.

Jeff Nider, Yosef’s father, described the experience. “We were blown away by the events of the evening, and it was such an honor for my wife and I to be the parents of a child who won the Lamplighter Award,” he said. “Yosef started out simply wanting to do something to help his grandfather, but what he eventually accomplished resulted in such a ripple effect. We truly are amazed and feel both humbled and proud of Yosef.”

When Yosef heard that he would be passing the light forward to the next recipient, he said, “I felt really happy to get this award. I hope that other kids will also do something good for the world after hearing about this award. The award is on my dresser in my room. I also got to buy a really cool Lego set.”

The deadline to submit a nominee for this year’s Lamplighter Award is Nov. 22, 2015. Include with the nomination at least one letter of recommendation written by a rabbi, teacher, principal, mentor, doctor or other verifiable source. Send all the material and direct any questions to Simie Schtroks, [email protected].

The award ceremony takes place on Dec. 13, 5:30 p.m., at the Semiahmoo Mall menorah lighting. Everyone is welcome.

First Lamplighter Award

Young philanthropist Yosef Nider receives recognition. (photo from Naomi Nelson Photography)

On Sunday, Dec. 21, the Centre for Judaism in Surrey/White Rock held its annual menorah lighting at Semiahmoo Centre, and awarded its inaugural Young Lamplighter Award to Yosef Nider, pictured here. The young violinist, a student at Vancouver Hebrew Academy, received the award for raising more than $10,000 for cancer research. Mayors Wayne Baldwin and Linda Hepner presented the award.

The lighting was attended by local city councilors and Jewish community members, all welcomed by the centre’s Rabbi Falik and Simie Schtroks.

To nominate for next year’s award a youth between ages 5-18 who is illuminating his or her part of the world by promoting goodness and kindness, email [email protected] with Lamplighter Award in the subject line. Nominations will be accepted through September 2015.

Chefs compete, party

Chefs compete at the Centre for Judaism in the Lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia’s Iron Chef Chanukah Competition II. (photo from Centre for Judaism)

Last month, after the lighting of the menorah, dancing and refreshments, the Centre for Judaism in the Lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia turned into the Iron Chef Chanukah Stadium for Iron Chef Chanukah Competition II.

photo - Rabbi Falik and Rebbetzin Simie Schtroks hosted Iron Chef Chanukah Competition II at the Centre for Judaism in the Lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia. (photos from Centre for Judaism) — Rabbi Falik and Rebbetzin Simie Schtroks hosted Iron Chef Chanukah Competition II. *(photo from Centre for Judaism)*

Simie Schtroks, shlucha and co-director of the Centre for Judaism, presented the teams and spectators with three secret ingredients and a variety of foods and spices that were to be used in creating the competing three dishes. During the busy hour, Chanukah songs were led by Avi Amrani, Ben Roling and Yaakov Dar together with Rabbi Falik Schtroks. Interviews of the chefs and their teams were conducted, and Ethan Dreyshner helped keep time. Spectators were able to participate in the judging based on the prominence of the secret ingredient, appearance and creativity, and judges Abraham Amrani, chef Aaron Gehrman, Ben Roling and Naomi Nelson took into account taste and originality, as well.

Chef Marat Dreyshner and Ella Dreyshner of ikosherbake.com emerged as the Iron Chefs once again. Winners won a gourmet dinner for four catered by Simie Schtroks. All participants were given a book called Seeds of Wisdom. There was great teamwork on both teams.

The Centre for Judaism thanks captain Rae Sank, Esther Roubini, Rita Roling, Joanne Yaakov, Penina Amrani, Debbie Cossever, Lev Titiafsky and Anna Kushelman, as well as Nava’s Creative Kosher for the sushi.

To be a contender, sponsor or team participant next Chanukah, contact Simie Schtroks at 604-440-7411.