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As a tour guide in Israel, Renee Halpert “thrive[s] on engaging with people, the constant learning, and exploring the country.” (photo from Renee Halpert) In the late 1970s, Renee Swartz was a teenager living in West Vancouver. Even though she…
On May 28, Or Shalom Synagogue reopened its doors after a year of renovations. (photo by Wendy D) On the evening of May 28, Or Shalom Synagogue reopened its doors after a year of renovations, welcoming celebrants for the Chanukat…
Garry Zlotnik, centre, received the JFS Lighting the Way Award from Brent Davis, left, and Todd Thal at the Innovators event May 26. (Rhonda Dent Photography) ‘Jewish Family Services (JFS) hosted its annual Innovators event on May 26. This year’s…
Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a much-vaunted statement on Canada’s antisemitism crisis last week. It was unlikely to satisfy everyone – partly because there is only so much a single government can do about a global social phenomenon like escalating…
The Wallenberg-Sugihara Civil Courage Society (WSCCS) hosted its 21st annual Raoul Wallenberg Day event on April 19. Held at the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture this year, its theme was “Confronting Hate Speech and Scapegoating.” Alan Le Fevre, the…
Itai Anghel, one of Israel’s most recognizable documentary reporters, was with his wife and toddler son in New York City, celebrating his Emmy nomination for Last Stop Before Kyiv, in which Anghel and cameraman Eddie Gerald reported from Ukraine during…
On May 26, Rabbi Dr. Laura Duhan Kaplan gave the public lecture From Conflict to Connection: Spiritual Community in Stressful Times at the annual conference of Vancouver School of Theology’s Inter-Religious Studies Program. (screenshot) The Walking Together: Sharing the Work…
The 96-year-old history of the Jewish Independent, which serves as a continuous record of Jewish communal life in British Columbia, was the topic of the second lecture in the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture’s 2026 Doikayt Speaker Series. In…
Nine years ago, I was walking with my twins, then age 6, to synagogue, when we passed an older woman in her yard, using scissors to cut the grass along the boulevard. At that moment, herding Grade 1 kids along,…
(internet photo) On May 17, Tafsik Organization and Stop Antizionism hosted a full-day World Symposium Against Antizionism. With justifiable pride, the organizers declared that this was the first conference in the world specifically dedicated to combating antizionism. Keynote speaker was…
In Seattle, hours after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, two FBI agents knock on Monty’s door, asking questions about his Afghan partner, who has seemingly disappeared. How much does Monty really know about Jamal? What does he know about himself?…
“Everything changes when we are rooted in our sacredness,” writes Jeff Golden in his self-published, award-winning book Reclaiming the Sacred: Healing Our Relationships with Ourselves and the World (2022). “When we can feel that we are an essential part of…
Considering the extra challenges Jews have faced these last few years, there are many of us who have reacted by delving more into our Judaism and our Jewish identities. Perhaps that’s why a book the Independent received a handful of…
Pucker up, you lemon lovers! On my search for a refreshing lemon-based dessert, I found a simple recipe (my favourite kind) that will have me making this on repeat. As I might have mentioned before, I’m a wee bit addicted…
StandWithUs Canada executive director Jesse Primerano and lawyer Anita Bromberg, director of the organization’s new legal department. (photos from SWU) StandWithUs Canada has just launched a new legal department to help students navigate the climate on Canadian campuses. StandWithUs Canada…
Throughout her long career, award-winning artist Lilian Broca has tried many styles and various media, but, over the years, her main theme crystallized: the power of women. Her current show at the Zack Gallery exemplifies this theme. “I studied abstract…
The City of Vancouver’s integrity commissioner this month declared that Mayor Ken Sim breached the city’s code of conduct by criticizing Councilor Sean Orr’s presence and comments at an anti-Israel rally last year. The report concluded that Sim misused the…
In mid-May, a Winnipeg Free Press article by John Longhurst announced a new online database for research. This open access resource lists the names of German Nazi party members. The article’s target audience: the Manitoba Mennonite community. As background: Many…
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights’ planned exhibit Palestine Uprooted: Nakba Past and Present, set to open in June, is cause for concern. While what will be in the exhibit remains to be seen and is likely not yet finally…
At the first World Symposium Against Antizionism, left to right: Jacob Smith, Eyal Jacoby, Nick Matau and Anastasia Zorchinsky. (photo by Dave Gordon) The first World Symposium Against Antizionism took place on May 17 in Toronto, with some 30 speakers,…
Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub talks to reporters at the FIFA Congress, held in Vancouver on April 30. (Screenshot youtube.com/@thebreakernews) While the World Cup doesn’t kick off until June 11 – at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca when Selección de…
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…
Geoffrey Druker, left, and Glen Steinman hold the City of Vancouver proclamation of April 7, 2026, as Rudolf Vrba Day. (photo from Vrba Projects / VHEC) The Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre (VHEC) welcomes the City of Vancouver’s Proclamation designating April…
Jordan Zwicker and Debbie Litvack after Zwicker’s kidney transplant last November. Litvack donated the organ. (photo from JMABC) When Debbie Litvack found out her longtime friend Jordan Zwicker needed a kidney, her decision was instant. “Jordan needed one. I had…
The BC Regiment Band at the Vernon Winter Carnival in 2020. (photo from bcregiment.com) On Sunday, June 7, 1 p.m., at Ladner Bandfest, in Memorial Park, the band will premiere Theodore’s March by Theodore (Ted) Levitt (z’l), a Second World…
Or Shalom hosts Rabbi Tirzah Firestone for a Shabbaton in Vancouver June 12-13. (photo form tirzahfirestone.com) A community Shabbaton featuring teacher, author and psychotherapist Rabbi Tirzah Firestone will take place June 12-13, offering participants the opportunity to explore ancestral healing, resilience…
Left to right: Larry Vinegar, Stan Shaw, Lloyd Baron, Michelle Dodek, Steve Schacter and Marcy Schwartzman. (photo from Marcy Schwartzman) There are roughly 1,200 people who rely on Jewish Family Services food hubs in the Greater Vancouver area, and much…
It seems so long ago, but it was only on Jan. 27, after 843 days, 12 hours and six minutes, that all our hostages returned home; the living and the dead. Finally, the clock at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv was turned off.…
Yellowknife held its first community-wide Passover seder, with support from the Jewish Federation of British Columbia, at the Sundog Trading Post on April 1. (photo from Jewish Federation Facebook page) Yellowknife held its first community-wide Passover seder, with support from…
