Category Local

Looking for everyday heroes

The deadline to nominate someone for the 2025 Courage to Come Back Awards is Jan. 17. The awards, presented by Wheaton Precious Metals, pay tribute to everyday heroes who have overcome immense challenges and now give back to their community.…

Security through peace

screenshot - Noa in conversation with Rabbi Dan Moskovitz at Temple Sholom Oct. 30

Noa in conversation with Rabbi Dan Moskovitz at Temple Sholom Oct. 30. (screenshot) Israeli singer/songwriter and peace activist Achinoam Nini (Noa) was in British Columbia recently to do a Vipassana meditation. While here, she stopped at Temple Sholom Oct. 30…

Israel’s war is unique

photo - French writer, filmmaker and human rights activist Bernard-Henri Lévy was in Vancouver at Schara Tzedeck Synagogue Nov. 6, in conversation with the National Post’s Tristin Hopper

French writer, filmmaker and human rights activist Bernard-Henri Lévy was in Vancouver at Schara Tzedeck Synagogue Nov. 6, in conversation with the National Post’s Tristin Hopper. (photo by Pat Johnson) Bernard-Henri Lévy, a public intellectual so well-known in France that…

Update on taskforce

Since Oct. 7, 2023, many members of the Jewish community have experienced antisemitism in some form or another. Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs have been addressing these incidents, as well as progressing…

How hostages survive

photo - Dr. Ofer Merin, director general of Shaare Zedek Hospital, spoke at the event via video. He was expected to be in Vancouver in person but stayed in Jerusalem due to intelligence that Iran might strike Israel during the time he was scheduled to be away

Dr. Ofer Merin, director general of Shaare Zedek Hospital, spoke at the event via video. He was expected to be in Vancouver in person but stayed in Jerusalem due to intelligence that Iran might strike Israel during the time he…

Diversity in health care

photo - Left to right are Rabbi Jonathan Infeld, Dr. Salman Zarka, Dr. Tim Oberlander and Dr. Erik Swarz at Congregation Beth Israel, where Zarka gave a few talks Nov. 21-23

Left to right are Rabbi Jonathan Infeld, Dr. Salman Zarka, Dr. Tim Oberlander and Dr. Erik Swartz at Congregation Beth Israel, where Zarka gave a few talks Nov. 21-23. (photo from Beth Israel) “Our professional ethics, as well as Israeli…

Reflections on being a rabbi

photo - Rabbi Hannah Dresner recently retired as Or Shalom’s spiritual leader

Rabbi Hannah Dresner recently retired as Or Shalom’s spiritual leader. (photo from Or Shalom) On Nov. 30, the Or Shalom community comes together to celebrate Rabbi Hannah Dresner’s nine years of service to the shul. Dresner retired as Or Shalom’s…

Vibrant start to new year

Visiting Rabbi Cantor Russell Jayne (of Beth Tzedec Congregation, Calgary) was in Kelowna for a September Shabbaton. (photo from the OJC) The Okanagan Jewish Community may be small, but it’s got a strong, involved congregation that makes an impact on…

A Learning Stones memorial

A newly created monument in the garden of Temple Sholom Synagogue commemorates the victims of Oct. 7, 2023, and the Israeli civilians, soldiers and foreign nationals who have lost their lives since that day. (photo from Temple Sholom) There’s a newly…

Changing roles, duties

Pharmacist Ted Mah headlined the first session of this year’s Empowerment Series, which is presented by Jewish Seniors Alliance with the help of the Phyliss and Irving Snider Foundation. The Oct. 29 talk on Zoom was called Make Friends With…