CJPAC lauds Pulver’s impact

Lana Marks Pulver receives the 2026 CJPAC Impact Award from Mark Waldman, chief executive officer and co-founder of the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee (CJPAC). (Rhonda Dent Photography)

Mayor Ken Sim declared May 11 Lana Marks Pulver Day in the city of Vancouver. Hundreds gathered that night at Congregation Beth Israel for the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee’s Action West event, where Pulver was presented with the organization’s Impact Award.

Current and past elected officials, aspiring candidates, family and friends of Pulver and political junkies gathered as Pulver was described as a person of action, a volunteer, an author, a mother, a wife, businessperson, a mentor, friend, role model, global traveler and community leader.

Pulver has chaired the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, including during and after the events of Oct. 7, 2023, and has led the Federation annual campaign. She serves on the boards of Save a Child’s Heart, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (both nationally and in the BC region), and is on the JWest Foundation board. She is active in YPO, the Young Presidents’ Organization, and devoted 12 years to the board of Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver Foundation. She holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, was previously a senior investment advisor, has authored two books, and is actively engaged in entrepreneurship, writing, investing and civic engagement.

“I kind of feel like I’m at my own funeral.” Pulver joked after listening to live and video-recorded accolades. “But I am so moved. I am so floored, seeing so many people that I love and respect say so many words that are so kind.”

The Impact Award is given by CJPAC to recognize individuals who have made a meaningful contribution through political engagement, public affairs, advocacy or strengthening civic participation in Canada, particularly in ways aligned with CJPAC’s mission of building constructive engagement between the Jewish community and Canadian public life.

“Ever since I was young, I’ve been driven by tikkun olam, the notion of repairing the world and wanting to make it a better place for all,” said Pulver. “We’re all humankind, and we all need to treat each other with kindness.”

At the event, she announced she was preparing, with Lorraine Lo and former BC premier Gordon Campbell, to launch an organization called EliminHate Education and Awareness Society, “to work towards combating hate in general in order to make the world a better place for everyone.”

Pulver thanked the current and past elected officials in the room, as well as candidates in this year’s municipal elections across the province. 

“In a time when safety can no longer be taken for granted, that commitment matters deeply,” she said. 

“Standing up against antisemitism should be no different than standing up against any other form of racism or hatred,” Pulver said. “It cannot be selective. It cannot depend on politics, pressure or convenience. Every citizen deserves equal protection, equal dignity and equal concern.

“You do not need to wait to make an impact,” she continued. “Some of the most meaningful change begins with one person deciding not to be a bystander. So, step forward, use your voice, be the kind of leaders this moment is asking for. Because impact is not this award. Impact is what we do next.”

She spoke of the ordeal Jewish people have endured in recent years.

“Since Oct. 7, our community has lived through grief, trauma, fear and a deeply disturbing rise in Jew-hatred, both antisemitism and antizionism,” Pulver told the audience. “We have seen Jewish institutions targeted, students and families feeling less safe, and people wondering whether they can be openly proud of who they are. That is not the Canada we believe in, and it is not something we can ever normalize. That is why leadership matters. That is why civic engagement matters. And that is why the work that CJPAC does matters so deeply.… CJPAC reminds us that democracy only works when people show up.”

In a testimonial video with many friends and community figures, Pulver says, “I don’t do any of the work I do for recognition, and I’m honestly humbled by it, a little embarrassed by it, but grateful because I do think that the recognition itself serves a purpose. I’m hoping that, by recognizing me and the work that I’m doing, it’s going to inspire the next generation to step up and get involved and start doing things now so that they will be in my chair in years to come.”

The event co-chairs were Pulver’s longtime friends Jill Diamond and Daniel Frankel.

Sim, flanked by Vancouver city councilors, read a proclamation honouring Pulver and declaring it Lana Marks Pulver Day.

“There are very few people that give a damn about a whole bunch of issues and are willing to fight for them, and you stand on principle,” the mayor told Pulver. “I feel incredibly fortunate to consider you a friend, to call you a friend. I look up to you. You’re a role model. You’re a mentor.”

Sim credited Pulver in part for the city’s adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Antisemitism.

Mark Waldman, chief executive officer and co-founder of CJPAC, greeted attendees and congratulated Pulver. Kara Mintzberg, BC regional director for CJPAC, emceed the evening. Rabbi Jonathan Infeld blew the shofar.

“It is a call to action,” he said, explaining the significance of the ram’s horn in Jewish tradition. “It is a call to making this world a better place, and that is exactly who you are and what you do – Lana, thank you for being our shofar.”