{"id":28858,"date":"2018-05-18T03:58:06","date_gmt":"2018-05-18T10:58:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/?p=28858"},"modified":"2018-05-16T22:55:51","modified_gmt":"2018-05-17T05:55:51","slug":"jnf-honours-pollocks-at-negev","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/2018\/05\/18\/jnf-honours-pollocks-at-negev\/","title":{"rendered":"JNF honours Pollocks at Negev"},"content":{"rendered":"

This year\u2019s Jewish National Fund, Pacific Region, Negev Dinner honourees are Michelle and Neil Pollock. (photo from Pollock family)<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

For their contributions to a diverse range of philanthropic causes, Neil and Michelle Pollock are being honoured at this year\u2019s Negev Dinner.<\/p>\n

\u201cJewish National Fund of Canada, Pacific Region, is proud to have Dr. Neil and Michelle Pollock as our 2018 Negev Dinner honourees on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the state of Israel,\u201d said Ilan Pilo, shaliach and executive director of JNF Pacific Region. \u201cTheir longtime contribution to the community and their leadership are widely recognized, as they are inspirational philanthropists who go above and beyond to involve the community in creative ways to fund critically important projects. We are very pleased they have chosen to work with JNF and ALEH Jerusalem on the Outdoor Terrace Project and the Hydrotherapy Pool, which will benefit seriously disabled children and youth in Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n

ALEH Jerusalem provides 82 children and young adults with comprehensive professional care, including special education, as well as medical, supportive and therapeutic care.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m honoured, as I know Michelle is, for us to have been recognized and included in this legacy of community leaders and builders, a few of whom I have been privileged to meet, and who have been mentors and role models for myself and others in our community,\u201d said Neil Pollock. \u201cI look forward to having the opportunity to contribute to the cultivation of future leadership in our community in a similar way.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Jewish National Fund is important to the family, said Michelle Pollock, because the projects it supports focus on infrastructure in Israel.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re all reflective of Jewish values and helping with the viability and integrity of the Jewish state,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Michelle Pollock is a lawyer who practised litigation in Vancouver before devoting herself full-time to their family. She is the immediate past president of the board of the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, and has co-chaired the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver annual campaign\u2019s women\u2019s division Lion of Judah category for six years. She has been involved with Jewish education and a host of other causes.<\/p>\n

Dr. Neil Pollock is chief surgeon and medical director of Pollock Clinics. Over more than 20 years, he has developed minimally invasive techniques for vasectomy, circumcision and frenulectomy procedures. The Pollock Technique has a greater than 99.9% success rate and results in decreased risk of post-vasectomy pain. He has undertaken teaching missions to Rwanda, Congo and Haiti, where he trains local doctors in circumcision, and said the work he has done in Africa and Haiti is among the most meaningful contributions he could make to humanity.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur team successfully gave our surgical colleagues in those countries the surgical training, as well as the equipment and supplies, to safely carry out surgical procedures that will save, over the years to come, thousands of lives by reducing HIV transmission,\u201d he said. \u201cCircumcision has been scientifically shown to reduce HIV transmission by 60%. It has been equated to providing protection equivalent to a vaccine against the disease. Sharing my technique provided the mechanism to offer in those countries, for the first time, a safe, quick, painless approach for circumcision that families would happily and readily accept. I continue to search out places around the globe where myself and my team could have similar impact for communities at risk. God willing, there will be more surgical missions in our future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pollock has also developed a unique surgical training program for mohelim, who perform brit milot. He is a mohel himself and, in lieu of accepting fees for his work, advises families to donate to the<\/p>\n

Pollock Family Philanthropy Fund at the Vancouver Foundation in honour of the lifecycle event and to support those in need in the community. The philanthropy fund supports the surgical teaching missions to the developing world, as well as organizations including the Arthritis Society, B.C. Cancer Foundation, schools, social service and community agencies.<\/p>\n

Pollock\u2019s involvement with the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver includes four years as head of the major gifts division and, in 2015, he served as chair of the general campaign, which raised $8.3 million.<\/p>\n

\u201cMichelle and Neil Pollock are among the most committed volunteers in our community,\u201d said Karen James, chair of the board of Jewish Federation. \u201cWhen asked to help, they step up. The Pollocks have been involved with countless initiatives we\u2019ve undertaken at Jewish Federation to address vital community needs\u2026. In response to his work, Neil has been recognized by Jewish Federation\u2019s board with the Woogman Award, for his consistent and conscientious leadership by example. The Pollocks truly help to make our community stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to their shared involvement with Jewish Federation, the Pollocks support Jewish Family Services. Neil Pollock has served as a board and executive member and is a Friend for Life, a category of donors with lifetime giving of $100,000 or more. The couple also provide an annual matching gift for the Innovators Lunch to inspire philanthropy; these funds are dedicated to the Jewish Food Bank.<\/p>\n

They additionally support the Ohel Ya\u2019akov Community Kollel, where Neil Pollock is a member of the board of governors and of the fundraising and building committee. He described the Kollel as one of the \u201cless visible but most critical, vibrant and productive organizations in our community today, providing inspirational and educational programming through lectures, social events connecting Jewish youth, hosting Shabbat and Jewish holiday celebrations, all in a safe and accepting environment where everyone can feel comfortable \u2013 from Reform to Orthodox.<\/p>\n

\u201cI personally am deeply grateful to the founder of the Kollel, Rabbi [Avraham] Feigelstock, for the many hours of teaching, counseling and support that he has quietly provided for me and so many others I know,\u201d said Pollock. \u201cHe has sought to help us develop the leadership skills and sound judgment, through both his core Jewish teachings and by cultivating menshlichkeit values, that he hopes we can be guided by in our personal, business and community work, in turn, helping us to be better equipped to meaningfully give back to our community for the years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rabbi Shmulik Yeshayahu, director of the Kollel, said Michelle and Neil Pollock have truly embraced the concept of tikkun olam.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey both contribute meaningfully; not only financially, but also give time, expertise and insight,\u201d said Yeshayahu. \u201cTheir personal involvement in the Jewish community is priceless. We so appreciate their community involvement and care, vision and leadership, and wish them continued success in all that they undertake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was through the JNF, in my elementary school years, that I was given my earliest opportunities to participate in and contribute directly to the growth and well-being of the state of Israel,\u201d said Neil Pollock. \u201cThis helped me to appreciate the importance for Jews to be interested in and responsible for doing our part for our homeland, which has remained with me to this day. And now, again through the JNF, we have been given this very gratifying opportunity to personally identify and support a phenomenal project \u2013 ALEH Jerusalem \u2013 to again help the state and its people in need, in a very meaningful way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"photos<\/a>
ALEH Jerusalem provides 82 children and young adults with comprehensive professional care, including special education, as well as medical, supportive and therapeutic care. (photos from JNF Pacific Region)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Michelle Pollock\u2019s connection to JNF and Israel stem from her family\u2019s history. Her mother\u2019s father was sent from Poland to Canada, alone, at the age of 14, to make enough money to send for the rest of the family.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt took him too long,\u201d she said, \u201cand his family was wiped out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pollock\u2019s mother, as a result, was raised in a home clouded by survivor\u2019s guilt and where the past was not discussed. But Zionism was at its core.<\/p>\n

\u201cSupport and survival of the Jewish state was a complete, tangible imperative because of her father\u2019s experience,\u201d said Pollock. \u201cI see this now, reflecting back.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lessons of Jewish statelessness are embedded in her family.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t separate my Jewish sense of self from my support of Israel,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s all tied together. It\u2019s one and the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

Neil Pollock\u2019s philanthropic vision is both local and global.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have seen firsthand through my many years of volunteering with Federation, culminating in chairing the 2015 annual campaign, how critical the JFGV is for our community,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is so important to have an organization to canvass so effectively the support of our community while carefully researching and assessing the needs of our community and its constituent organizations and thoughtfully allocating our resources in a balanced way, ensuring all facets of our diverse community needs are supported.\u201d<\/p>\n

Supporting JFS, and specifically the Jewish Food Bank, he added, \u201caligns with our core values regarding our responsibility to support those less fortunate and in need of the essentials, like food, shelter, medical care…. There is so much affluence in our community that, in our minds, there cannot and will never be, any justification for leaving anyone, any vulnerable individuals, behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most of the honourees at the Negev Dinner over the years have been older than the Pollocks, who have three children in high school. Far from approaching the end of their philanthropic endeavours, both talk enthusiastically about future plans.<\/p>\n

Michelle Pollock has been very committed to Jewish education, originally when her kids were at Vancouver Talmud Torah and, more recently, supporting King David High School.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe kids that go there and come out of there are so proud of their cultural heritage,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s an interesting thing to see in teenagers. It moves me greatly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now she is turning more of her focus to Holocaust education and Israel advocacy, which her family history has taught her are closely interrelated. She plans to deepen her involvement with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI think Holocaust education is important. But, at this critical point, where we still have survivors, it\u2019s imperative. Every single non-Jew that you touch with the story of a survivor, that is an invaluable experience. I think we all have a duty to do whatever we can to support Holocaust education.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cThe VHEC \u2026 all I can say is wow. For the past few years, I\u2019ve been going to their symposium at UBC. It\u2019s really unbelievable \u2026 being at UBC and being in this very secular place and looking at all these kids that have traveled by bus all day from all over the Lower Mainland, and watching them hear the stories of survivors and ask their questions. I think Holocaust education is important,\u201d she said. \u201cBut, at this critical point, where we still have survivors, it\u2019s imperative. Every single non-Jew that you touch with the story of a survivor, that is an invaluable experience. I think we all have a duty to do whatever we can to support Holocaust education. And I\u2019m a huge fan of the [Holocaust] centre.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also recently joined the Israel and overseas affairs committee of Federation and hopes to advocate for Israel through that and other avenues.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see my focus for the next long while in those two areas because I really see them tied together,\u201d she said. \u201cHolocaust education and Israel advocacy. I think it will grow and change. I\u2019ll just keep finding ways to contribute.\u201d<\/p>\n

As immediate past president of the JCC, she is continuing a commitment that began 14 years ago, when she first joined the board. Part of her motivation is that, coming originally from Montreal, she finds it can be more difficult to stay Jewishly connected in places like Vancouver, where the community is not as deeply rooted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI definitely think it\u2019s easier in some of the older, more established Jewish communities and I think my personal passion is to do whatever we can to make it easier to be Jewish and live Jewish,\u201d she said. \u201cI think the JCC has all the programming and all the events that help you touch on Judaism in your daily life. But, even more than that, just walking in that building makes you smile in a uniquely Jewish way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also from away, in his case, Winnipeg, Neil Pollock said he is grateful for being \u201cso graciously welcomed and accepted in this community, and for the wonderful network of friends that we are lucky enough to be surrounded by.\u201d<\/p>\n

He is philosophical about his plans, hoping, he said with a laugh, to get better with age, \u201clike the great wines in my cellar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery day we wake up, we are slightly different people, remolded and growing with all-new experiences,\u201d he said. \u201cHopefully, we capture and deploy the insights we gain to allow us to be more mature and effective leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued: \u201cWhile my kids are young and at home, they will continue to be my top priority. My business has now moved to a global level, so \u2026 I am more engaged, involved and excited now about future potential than ever.<\/p>\n

\u201cOften, I feel over-committed with my career, family and other things that happen in my life, but, at these moments, I try to remember that I also have a greater purpose and a greater responsibility and that is the one to my community,\u201d he said. \u201cI believe we all have an obligation to care for others and help those who are in need. We also must ensure that our Jewish traditions and values are maintained for generations that will follow, through our support of Jewish education and local Jewish institutions.\u201d<\/p>\n

He wants his experience to demonstrate that anyone can have an impact on the community.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI hope that the great diversity of backgrounds amongst our community leaders serves as an example and inspiration to the many truly talented members of our community who may have ever questioned their ability to get involved and make a difference.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cSome community members may believe that, in order to be an influential leader and have a meaningful impact, one must come from a family with a strong history of leadership and\/or affluence,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is not the case in our community. And I hope that the great diversity of backgrounds amongst our community leaders serves as an example and inspiration to the many truly talented members of our community who may have ever questioned their ability to get involved and make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cI want to thank all the community organizations that have welcomed us and provided us with the opportunity to become involved and give back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked about how he would like people to think of him in future, Pollock said, \u201cI would like to be thought of and remembered in a similar way, I\u2019m sure, to [how] most people would: as an individual concerned with things other than those that are immediately self-gratifying, and who is interested and active in doing his small part to ensure that opportunities to help others were not missed, and that meaningful efforts were undertaken to ensure the Jewish community and broader community in which we lived thrived.\u201d<\/p>\n

The JNF\u2019s Negev Dinner takes place June 3. Honourary chairs of the event are Alex and Jodi Cristall and Harvey and Jody Dales. For tickets and more information, visit jnf.ca\/index.php\/vancouver<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This year\u2019s Jewish National Fund, Pacific Region, Negev Dinner honourees are Michelle and Neil Pollock. (photo from Pollock family) For their contributions to a diverse range of philanthropic causes, Neil and Michelle Pollock are being honoured at this year\u2019s Negev Dinner. \u201cJewish National Fund of Canada, Pacific Region, is proud to have Dr. Neil and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":28859,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[8141,4330,60,61,2763,8024,1959],"class_list":["post-28858","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local","tag-aleh-jerusalem","tag-israel","tag-jnf","tag-negev-dinner","tag-philanthropy","tag-pollock","tag-tikkun-olam"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":8}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28858"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28858\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28859"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}