Category Local

Elana Wenner joins museum

photo - Elana Wenner

Elana Wenner (photo from LinkedIn) Elana Wenner, who became the director of programming and development at the Jewish Museum and Archives of BC (JMABC) on Aug. 1, brings an enthusiasm and desire to make the stories of the local Jewish…

New librarian at Waldman

photo - Jill Pineau

Jill Pineau (photo from Waldman Library) The Isaac Waldman Jewish Public Library welcomed Jill Pineau as its new head librarian in August. She takes over the position from Maiya Letourneau, who is now a teacher/librarian at King David High School.…

Tulchinsky at VPL as 2023 writer in residence

Vancouver Public Library’s 2023 writer in residence is Vancouver author Aren X. Tulchinsky, the writer formerly known as Karen X. Tulchinsky. Tulchinsky is a novelist, screenwriter, video editor and writing mentor, and an out and proud member of the LGBTQ2S+…

A heartwarming gathering

photo - Aug. 29-30, 17 families – each serving as Chabad shluchim (emissaries) – came together for an event known as a Kinus Hakhel

Aug. 29-30, 17 families – each serving as Chabad shluchim (emissaries) – came together for an event known as a Kinus Hakhel. (photo from Chabad Lubavitch BC) In a display of unity and camaraderie, 17 families – each serving the…

Six weeks of fun

photo - More than 200 kids went to Camp Gan Israel this summer

More than 200 kids went to Camp Gan Israel this summer. (photo from Camp Gan Israel) More than 200 children attended Camp Gan Israel this summer. They had a varied schedule, with baking, crafts, skateboarding, swimming, sports and field trips…

Resilience in facing fire

photo - This photo was taken from about a block away from the Okanagan JCC just after the evacuation

This photo was taken from about a block away from the Okanagan JCC just after the evacuation. (photo by Anne Zazuliak) On Aug. 17, the McDougall Creek Fire, which began 10 kilometres northwest of West Kelowna, descended upon the community…

Trio launches campaign

photo - Citizen West performs at the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver annual campaign launch Sept. 10, 7 p.m., at Congregation Schara Tzedeck

Citizen West performs at the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver annual campaign launch Sept. 10, 7 p.m., at Congregation Schara Tzedeck. (photo from Citizen West) The word “fun” came up more than once in the Jewish Independent’s interview with the…

Train as peer support

photos - Grace Hann, Jewish Seniors Alliance senior peer support services trainer and supervisor, and co-trainer Miguel Méndez

Grace Hann, Jewish Seniors Alliance senior peer support services trainer and supervisor, and co-trainer Miguel Méndez. (photos from JSA) For a senior experiencing loss, isolation, health challenges, a change in housing or other stressors, knowing that someone cares can make…

CJPAC bridges engagement

photo - Avishai Infeld speaking during a mock question period at CJPAC’s Generation: Student Leaders Program

Avishai Infeld speaking during a mock question period at CJPAC’s Generation: Student Leaders Program. (photo from CJPAC) When it comes to making a mark in Canadian politics, waiting for elections is a thing of the past. The Canadian Jewish Political…

The traveling Hebrew school

photo - B.C. Regional Hebrew Schools currently serves more than 120 children – in Langley, Port Coquitlam, Vancouver and Whistler/Squamish

B.C. Regional Hebrew Schools currently serves more than 120 children – in Langley, Port Coquitlam, Vancouver and Whistler (photo from B.C. Regional Hebrew Schools) It’s late Monday evening when Rabbi Dovid Rosenfeld loads a half dozen plastic containers of canvases,…