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Berner part of Heart

photo - Geoff Berner

Geoff Berner (photo by Genevieve Buechner) The theme for this year’s Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival is “This Gives Us Strength.” One of the more than 50 events that will take place over the festival’s 12 days is Spotlight…

The road to recovery

photo - Risa Levine, chair of Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver’s Community Recovery Task Force

Risa Levine, chair of Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver’s Community Recovery Task Force. (photo from Jewish Federation) The Jewish community and its agencies have been dramatically affected by the COVID pandemic and its economic implications. But not a single agency has…

Historic win for Paul

In an historic victory, Annamie Paul was elected leader of the Green party of Canada Saturday, becoming the first Black person and the first Jewish woman to lead a federal political party. How historic this news is will depend on…

Fences and walls can be good

My household is facing a lot of upheaval. The 100-year-old house next door was recently demolished, as the new owners wanted to live in an “old house neighbourhood” but in a new house. Their choice has been hard for us.…

Fighting for women’s equality

screenshot - Linda Silver Dranoff kicked off the four-part National Council of Jewish Women of Canada Women and Justice speaker series on Sept. 23

Linda Silver Dranoff kicked off the four-part National Council of Jewish Women of Canada Women and Justice speaker series on Sept. 23. (screenshot) National Council of Jewish Women of Canada started its four-part Women and Justice Speaker Series on Sept.…

Unpacking Israel education

photo - Dr. Noam Weissman, senior vice-president of OpenDor Media

Dr. Noam Weissman, senior vice-president of OpenDor Media. (photo from OpenDor Media) King David High School is one of 50 Jewish high schools worldwide participating in Unpacked for Educators, a series of educational videos and podcasts on Israel created by OpenDor…

Do we care about being fair?

photo - In its decision on Uber Technologies Inc. v. David Heller, the Supreme Court of Canada determined that the freedom of contract is not so absolute in its technical application as to undermine its purpose of allowing people to craft their own destinies

In its decision on Uber Technologies Inc. v. David Heller, the Supreme Court of Canada determined that the freedom of contract is not so absolute in its technical application as to undermine its purpose of allowing people to craft their…

What if critical illness strikes?

photo - healthcare bills

(photo from flickr) We all wonder and fear what would happen if we were diagnosed with one of many critical illnesses or suffered a heart attack or stroke. You work hard to achieve personal and financial goals during your lifetime.…

Contemplating walls

photo - The separation wall, Bayt Mirsim

The separation wall, Bayt Mirsim. (photo by Kevin Keystone) In this three-part series, the author recounts some of his experiences on Masar Ibrahim Al-Khalil, the Path of Abraham the Friend, in the West Bank, which he visited in 2019. The articles…

Israel on lockdown

photo - Keren Hayesod Street

(photo from Ashernet) Jerusalem on erev Sukkot, Oct. 2: Keren Hayesod Street (above), the Mamilla open-air mall and the First Station complex (both below). Normally, these places are full of people, especially the day before a holiday. However, for the…

הימורים לא חוקיים באונטריו

photo - York Regional Police cruiser

(Wikimedia) סגירת בתי הקזינו באזור מחוז אונטריו הגבירה את משמעותית את מאמצי העבריינים באזור להגדיל את חלקם בהכנסות מהימורים לא חוקיים. משטרת יורק ניהלה זה חודשים חקירה מסועפת ומסובכת אחר המתחרש בווילה מפוארת באזור מרקהאם שמצפון לטורונטו. זאת לאחר שנתקבל…

School year has begun

photo - Head of school Russ Klein welcomes back King David High School students

Head of school Russ Klein welcomes back King David High School students. (photo from facebook.com/kdhsvancouver) Metro Vancouver’s five Jewish day schools are officially in session – student orientation began the week of Sept. 8. But, while the schools are working hard…

Virtual VIFF now streaming

Shai Avivi, left, and Noam Imber are excellent as father and son in Here We Are. (still courtesy VIFF) Understated and poignant are just two of the words I’d use to describe the screeners I watched in anticipation of the…

Life goes on amid crises

photo - Left to right: Bahrain Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullatif al-Zayani, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, United States President Donald Trump and United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed sign the Abraham Accords on Sept. 15 at the White House in Washington, D.C.

Left to right: Bahrain Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullatif al-Zayani, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, United States President Donald Trump and United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed sign the Abraham Accords on…

Need to value what we have

Every fall, we go apple picking. For my husband and me, it was one of our first dates, apple picking together in upstate New York. Over time, it has become a family outing, with each kid eating lots of fresh…

Negev campaign goes virtual

image - In closing the Heart Stirring Negev Event on Zoom, Ilan Pilo, executive director of JNF Pacific Region, talked about the important work done by Save a Child’s Heart, the organization at the centre of this year’s fundraising campaign

In closing the Heart Stirring Negev Event on Zoom, Ilan Pilo, executive director of JNF Pacific Region, talked about the important work done by Save a Child’s Heart, the organization at the centre of this year’s fundraising campaign. (screenshot) Jewish National…

Louis Brier and the pandemic

photo - The garden in the courtyard of the Louis Brier

The garden in the courtyard of the Louis Brier. (photo by David J. Litvak) It hasn’t been easy for any of the staff and companions working at Dr. Irving and Phyliss Snider Campus for Jewish Seniors – which comprises the Louis…

JSA adapts to the times

The Jewish Seniors Alliance of Greater Vancouver held its annual general meeting on Sept. 10 via Zoom. Because of the pandemic, we were unable to have our usual format – the AGM followed by a gala dinner and the honouring…

Riders raise funds for STEM

photo - In back, left to right, are Marshal Stern and Mel Moss. In the front are, left to right, some members of the ORT committee: Marie Doduck, Mary Tobin, Bess Hirsch, Lane Stein and Beverly Pinsky

In back, left to right, are Marshal Stern and Mel Moss. In the front are, left to right, some members of the ORT committee: Marie Doduck, Mary Tobin, Bess Hirsch, Lane Stein and Beverly Pinsky. (photo from ORT Vancouver) ORT…

Community milestones … Green Thumb & Klein

Patrick McDonald will hand the artistic reins of Green Thumb Theatre to Rachel Aberle in January. (photo from Green Thumb Theatre) After a distinguished 32-year tenure, Patrick McDonald recently announced that he will be stepping aside as artistic director of…

New talk show

photo - Poet Ieden Wall is the host of the new late night talk show Canadian Jewish TV

Poet Ieden Wall is the host of the new late night talk show Canadian Jewish TV. (photo from OMNI 1) Canada’s newest late night talk show, Canadian Jewish TV (CJTV), kicks off Oct. 1 on OMNI 1. Hosted by poet Ieden…

Seeking to understand views

photo - Descending into Jericho through “the Grand Canyon of the Middle East”

Descending into Jericho through “the Grand Canyon of the Middle East.” (photo by Kevin Keystone) In this three-part series, the author recounts some of his experiences on Masar Ibrahim Al-Khalil, the Path of Abraham the Friend, in the West Bank,…

“Right of return” a poison pill?

image - The War of Return book cover

Among Middle East observers, there has long been a view that the demand for a Palestinian “right of return” is a bargaining chip that would be negotiated away in a final status agreement, perhaps in exchange for a symbolic but…

Lubeck shul sees restoration

photo - Israel’s Lavi furniture factory recreated Carlebach Synagogue’s original ark from three prewar black-and-white photos

Israel’s Lavi furniture factory recreated Carlebach Synagogue’s original ark from three prewar black-and-white photos. (photo from IMP) Viewing the restored Carlebach Synagogue in Lubeck, Germany, brings to mind the biblical prophecies of consolation, where the Jewish people are reassured that…

Making savoury muffins

photo - Scott Hocker’s Chicken Pot Pie Cornbread Muffins. The recipe can easily be made kosher

Scott Hocker’s Chicken Pot Pie Cornbread Muffins. The recipe can easily be made kosher. (© Scott Hocker) It was really a hot summer, and I was trying to think of creative ways to make and serve food. I took the…

האיחוד האירופאי מקיים טיסות ניסוי לבואינג שבע שלוש שבע מקס בוונקובר

photo - Boeing 737 MAX

הסוכנות לבטיחות תעופה של האיחוד האירופאי החלה לבדוק את מערך הבטיחות של מטוס בואינג שבע שלוש שבע מקס, בשדה התעופה הבינלאומי של ונקובר (ווי.וי.אר) בימים אלה. מדוע אם כן נבחר שדה התעופה הבינלאומי של ונקובר לביצוע טיסות הניסוי עלי ידי…

Word Vancouver online

photo - Bonnie Nish, executive director of Word Vancouver

Bonnie Nish, executive director of Word Vancouver. (photo by Andrew Bagoly) “We believe that Word Vancouver is a vehicle for community connection. It is important on so many levels right now to provide a space for collaboration, discourse, and a…

New residences open

photo - The Ben and Esther Dayson Residences, on East Kent Avenue North, opened its doors to tenants last month

The Ben and Esther Dayson Residences, on East Kent Avenue North, opened its doors to tenants last month. (photo from Tikva Housing) The first tenants at the Ben and Esther Dayson Residences started moving into their new homes in late…

Rallying for democracy

photo - Local Israeli Jews gathered at Vancouver Maritime Museum Aug. 29 to join groups around the world in supporting rallies in Israel for democracy

Local Israeli Jews gathered at Vancouver Maritime Museum Aug. 29 to join groups around the world in supporting rallies in Israel for democracy. (photo by Zohar Hagbi) In recent years and with greater intensity during COVID-19 and the current “emergency”…

Beth Tikvah welcomes rabbi

photo - Rabbi Susan Tendler, her husband Ross Sadoff and their daughters Sofia and Daniella moved from Chattanooga, Tenn., to Richmond, where Tendler is the new spiritual leader of Beth Tikvah Congregation

Rabbi Susan Tendler, her husband Ross Sadoff and their daughters Sofia and Daniella moved from Chattanooga, Tenn., to Richmond, where Tendler is the new spiritual leader of Beth Tikvah Congregation. (photo from Rabbi Susan Tendler) Moving to a new city…