Category News

Community milestones … July 2026

On June 26, Governor General of Canada Louise Arbour announced the latest appointments to the Order of Canada, which recognizes people across all sectors of society who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to the country. Among the recipients were…

The first Jew buried in BC

image - Cayoosh Flat (now called Lillooet), in 1865. Cayoosh Flat (now called Lillooet), in 1865

Cayoosh Flat (now called Lillooet), in 1865. Cayoosh Flat (now called Lillooet), in 1865. (image from JGSBC) In the Jewish Cemetery in Victoria, there is a small concrete slab on which is inscribed: “In memory of Morris Price. Killed at…

SFU honours Gloria Gutman

photo - Laurel Weldon, dean of Simon Fraser University’s faculty of arts and social sciences, and Dr. Gloria Gutman at the April 22 reception celebrating the naming of the university’s Gerontology Research Centre in honour of Gutman’s service and lasting impact. The event was held at SFU Harbour Centre

Laurel Weldon, dean of Simon Fraser University’s faculty of arts and social sciences, and Dr. Gloria Gutman at the April 22 reception celebrating the naming of the university’s Gerontology Research Centre in honour of Gutman’s service and lasting impact. The…

Indigeneity and Zionism

photo - Pat Johnson and Dr. Sheree Trotter at the University of Victoria on June 14, hosted by the Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island

Pat Johnson and Dr. Sheree Trotter at the University of Victoria on June 14, hosted by the Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island. (photo by Janet Dirks) “What we’ve seen happen in New Zealand with our indigenous movement is…

Rule of law broken: councilor

photo - Panelists Rabbi Philip Bregman, left, and Aron Csaplaros. Toronto city councilor James Pasternak spoke via remote link

Panelists Rabbi Philip Bregman, left, and Aron Csaplaros. Toronto city councilor James Pasternak spoke via remote link. (photo by Pat Johnson) A Toronto city councilor, speaking via remote link at an event at Richmond’s Beth Tikvah Synagogue, slammed Canadian society…

Football and its roles

On June 24, the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre hosted The Dual Role of Football During the Holocaust, an online conversation with Paul Salmons, Kevin E. Simpson and Liz Berger, three scholars on sport and its place in modern Jewish history.…

The burden of defence

photo - Haredi demonstrators protesting the arrest of draft-dodgers block traffic in Bnei Brak on June 17

Haredi demonstrators protesting the arrest of draft-dodgers block traffic in Bnei Brak on June 17. (photo by Eitan Elhadez-Barak/TPS-IL) When I celebrated my bar mitzvah in Toronto in 1968 by reading parshat Shelach Lecha about the 12 spies Moses sent…

Fish Café returns after fire

photo - Marcus Stiller was prepping for the Fish Café’s reopening when the Independent chatted with him

Marcus Stiller was prepping for the Fish Café’s reopening when the Independent chatted with him. (photo by Lauren Kramer) The Fish Café – a beloved Kerrisdale institution for more than two decades – was set to open this week after…

Camp offers holiday retreat

photo - Camp Solomon Schechter hosts a first-of-its-kind mahjong retreat Sept. 4-7. Canadians get a discount

Camp Solomon Schechter hosts a first-of-its-kind mahjong retreat Sept. 4-7. Canadians get a discount! (photo from Camp Solomon Schechter) Mahjong enthusiasts and curious beginners alike are invited to experience a unique Labour Day weekend getaway at Mahj & More, taking…

Students and mentors inspire

photo - Solomon Leadership Program fellows and mentors celebrate the completion of the 2025-2026 program. Applications for the next session are open till the end of August

Solomon Leadership Program fellows and mentors celebrate the completion of the 2025-2026 program. Applications for the next session are open till the end of August. (photo by Alan Katowitz Photography) When Riki Oirechman first read about the Solomon Leadership Program two…