Shelley Rivkin is the new chair of the Jewish Family Services (JFS) board of directors. Rivkin steps into the role at a pivotal moment, succeeding outgoing board chair Jody Dales, who led the organization through the pandemic and the milestone…
The list of things that kids learn at summer camp, while having fun and making friends, is almost endless. (photo from Camp Miriam) Serendipity led us to Camp Miriam. In the span of one week in the fall of 2017,…
What strikes me every time the Jewish Independent does a Camp Guide issue is the staying power of our Jewish summer camps. Camp Hatikvah was started in 1937 at Crescent Beach by the National Council of Jewish Women. It was…
More than 18 months ago, Charlotte Kates, who is identified as the international coordinator of Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, made inflammatory remarks at a rally in Vancouver. She celebrated the 10/7 terror attacks by Hamas against Israel, calling them…
When Erin Brandt founded the Antisemitism Legal Helpline in January 2024, the employment and human rights lawyer had no idea how much time this volunteer position would consume. “The fact that we’re getting this many calls is a little terrifying,”…
Choices keynote speaker Mandana Dayani, centre, with event co-chairs, left to right, Gail James, Briana James, Lola Pawer and Lisa Boroditsky. (photo by Rhonda Dent) On Nov. 16, Choices once again celebrated the work of Jewish women philanthropists. This year’s…
Presenters at the World Religions Conference, which was held at Star of the Sea Community Hall in White Rock on Nov. 17. Rabbi Arik Labowitz of Or Shalom is second from the right and, to his right, is the writer,…
Shenandoah University Prof. Lori Şen spoke about Sephardic music on Nov. 2, as part of Kolot Mayim Reform Temple’s 2025/26 lecture series. (PR photo) Kolot Mayim Reform Temple started its 2025/26 Building Bridges Zoom lecture series – six music-themed talks…
Stephen Falk, president of the Jewish Genealogical Society of British Columbia, spoke at the White Rock South Surrey Jewish Community Centre on Nov. 16, offering guidance on tracing one’s Jewish ancestry. (photo by Chloe Heuchert) The White Rock South Surrey Jewish…
Bar-Ilan University’s Dr. Mordechai Kedar spoke in Vancouver Nov. 17 at Temple Sholom on root causes of Jew-hatred. (from idsf.org.il) The Enlightenment of the 18th century carried hopes for Jews that their long history of persecution would end, but the…
