Local

JWest construction to begin

photo - The Diamond family and other guests at the JWest groundbreaking ceremony Sept. 14.

A violinist played tunes from Fiddler on the Roof, as dignitaries and community members joined the JWest groundbreaking ceremony Sept. 14, amid tight security. A mound of soil in the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver parking lot symbolized the…

Bend the arc of justice

photo - Broadcaster and commentator Ben Mulroney opened the annual campaign of the Jewish Federation of British Columbia at Schara Tzedeck Sept. 16

Antisemitism is “the exception that proves the rule” of moral progress, broadcaster and commentator Ben Mulroney told an audience at Schara Tzedeck Synagogue Sept. 16, warning that “the oldest hatred has become the newest.”  Mulroney – host of the nationally…

New chapter for Island

photo - Barry Zalmanowitz, president of the Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island, speaks at the campaign launch in Victoria on Sept. 17

Hundreds gathered in Victoria on Sept. 17 to launch the 2026 campaign for the Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island (JFVVI), hear a speech from featured guest Ben Mulroney and celebrate the collaborative efforts of JFVVI and the Jewish…

CHW’s 2026 opening lunch & fashion show

photo - Dr. Karen Gelmon

As part of the CHW Vancouver Centre Opening Luncheon & Fashion Show on Oct. 18, 11 a.m., at Richmond Country Club, oncologists Dr. Karen Gelmon and Dr. Shai Rosenberg will discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming personalized cancer treatment. The…

Boy George warmly received

photo - Boy George spoke with Rabbi Dan Moskovitz, but performed at Temple Sholom on Sept. 9

Approximately 800 members of the Metro Vancouver Jewish community and allies were at Temple Sholom on Sept. 9 to hear musician Boy George in conversation with Rabbi Dan Moskovitz. Wearing a bright orange hat, the 65-year-old performer reflected on his…

Football’s ethical complexity

photo - Journalist Simon Kuper, who has written several books on soccer, gave a talk on football, history and society on Aug. 25

On Aug. 25, the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre (VHEC), in partnership with the Montreal Holocaust Museum, presented Football, History and Society: A Discussion with Simon Kuper. The talk explored Holocaust history and the global impact of football (soccer) at a…

Be a tutor for Israeli teens

“What can I do for Israel?” Consider joining Israel Connect, a program where local adult volunteers connect one-on-one, via Zoom, with Israeli high school students to help them improve their English conversation and reading skills. The program starts in November…

Vancouver Opera welcomes new Faris Young artists

Vancouver Opera is thrilled to welcome new and returning participants of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program for 2026 Among those selected for the program is Michal Aloni. She, Callum Alden and Cecilia NguyenTran will join returning artists Marianne…

Breaking ground on village 

photo - Rabbi Meir Kaplan speaks at the groundbreaking

On Aug. 3, with more than 200 people in attendance, Chabad of Vancouver Island initiated the first of a three-phase plan to create a new intergenerational Jewish community campus beside the Chabad Centre for Jewish Life in Victoria. Established more…

Timing was “serendipitous”

photo - v

Rabbi Ilana Krygier Lapides became the new rabbi of Victoria’s Kolot Mayim Reform Temple in July, following the retirement of Rabbi Lynn Greenhough, who served the congregation, initially as spiritual leader and later as rabbi, for nine years. Speaking to…