{"id":29546,"date":"2018-06-29T03:36:04","date_gmt":"2018-06-29T10:36:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/?p=29546"},"modified":"2018-06-28T10:49:02","modified_gmt":"2018-06-28T17:49:02","slug":"so-many-community-milestones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/2018\/06\/29\/so-many-community-milestones\/","title":{"rendered":"So many community milestones"},"content":{"rendered":"

This year, Jewish Federation honoured, for the first time, an organization outside of the Jewish community. The inaugural recipient of the honour was the Vancouver Police Department.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

At its annual general meeting June 19, the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver<\/strong> honoured four volunteers: Alex Cristall, Judi Korbin, Judith Cohen and Courtney Cohen<\/strong>. It also honoured, for the first time, an organization outside of the Jewish community \u2013 the Vancouver Police Department<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

On June 18, L\u2019Chaim Adult Day Centre<\/strong> celebrated its first 100th birthday, with program participant Beverly Klein<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

On the evening of June 13, siblings Shirley Barnett and Philip Dayson<\/strong> were honoured with the B.C. Genealogical Society Book Award<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

On the evening of June 5, Jewish Family Services<\/strong> held its first annual Volunteer Appreciation Event, celebrating the dedicated volunteers of JFS and the Better at Home program.<\/em><\/p>\n

Louis Brier Home and Hospital<\/strong> has successfully achieved accreditation with exemplary standing from Accreditation Canada.<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Among the B.C. Civil Liberties Association<\/strong>\u2019s Liberty Award winners on May 17 were Ken Klonsky<\/strong>, for excellence in the arts, and Peter Klein<\/strong>, for excellence in journalism.<\/em><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

At its annual general meeting June 19, the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver honoured four volunteers.<\/p>\n

Alex Cristall was presented with the Harry Woogman Award, which recognizes a volunteer who leads consistently and conscientiously by example and has long-standing and diligent campaign involvement. Cristall is the outgoing annual campaign chair. His dedication and commitment to leadership excellence has made an enormous impact on Federation and the community as a whole.<\/p>\n

Judi Korbin was given the Arthur Fouks Award, which honours leaders who demonstrate dedication to the goals and principles of Jewish Federation and who provide outstanding leadership to the annual campaign. Korbin is the outgoing chair of Federation\u2019s endowment program, the Jewish Community Foundation, and is a past chair of the annual campaign.<\/p>\n

The Kipnis-Wilson\/Friedland Award went to Judith Cohen. As a past volunteer chair of women\u2019s philanthropy, Cohen is no stranger to philanthropic work. She draws the inspiration for her community involvement from having grown up seeing her parents \u201cpour their time and energies into the Jewish community.\u201d She received the Kipnis-Wilson\/Friedland Award from Jewish Federations of North America for demonstrating the highest ideals of leadership and involvement.<\/p>\n

The Young Leadership Award was presented to Courtney Cohen for her extensive volunteer work with many Jewish organizations around Greater Vancouver. Just two examples among many are her involvement in Federation\u2019s Axis program for young Jewish adults as the co-chair of the leadership development pillar, and her founding of Rose\u2019s Angels, a care-package project created to honour her grandmother.<\/p>\n

This year, Jewish Federation also honoured, for the first time, an organization outside of the Jewish community, with the first recipient of the honour being the Vancouver Police Department.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur Federation has had a long and valued relationship with the department and our staff have been able to count on their assistance and intervention during crisis situations and high-profile events attracting protesters, as well as being willing to provide education and training to our communal professionals on an as-needed basis,\u201d said Bernard Pinsky, chair of Federation\u2019s community security advisory committee, in presenting the award, which was accepted by Deputy Chief Lawrence Rankin on behalf of the VPD.<\/p>\n

Pinksy expressed Federation\u2019s \u201cappreciation to constables Ryan Hooper and Dale Quiring for their support over the years,\u201d and said Federation was looking forward \u201cto a continued positive relationship with Constables James Hooper and Jacqueline Abbot.\u201d<\/p>\n

In introducing the video created for Federation\u2019s 30th anniversary, board chair Karen James thanked \u201cJonathan and Heather Berkowitz, whose experience editing the Federation Magazine<\/em> for many years was invaluable to this project, as well as past Federation president Sondi Green, whose father, Arthur Fouks, was a founder of our Federation, and Al Szajman, chair of our marketing and communications resource group for their work on this project.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\"photo<\/a>
On June 18, L\u2019Chaim Adult Day Centre threw a party for Beverly Klein\u2019s 100th birthday.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On June 18, L\u2019Chaim Adult Day Centre celebrated its first 100th birthday, with program participant Beverly Klein. Four generations of her family, friends, fellow program participants, L\u2019Chaim board members, staff and volunteers, as well as Jewish community leaders, threw a party at L\u2019Chaim to commemorate her reaching this milestone.<\/p>\n

Knowing her love of music, she was honoured with the musical talents of Allison Berry, who performed classics from the 1940s. Beverly was delighted to receive congratulations and warm wishes from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Queen\u2019s representative, the governor general of Canada, Julie Payette.<\/p>\n

Ezra Shanken, chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, spoke about Beverly and said that she didn\u2019t look a day over 40, to which she replied, \u201cHey, I like this guy!\u201d<\/p>\n

A much-loved program participant since 2013, the birthday girl was born in Poland near Warsaw in Meserich, and was one of 11 children. A story treasured by her children is Beverly\u2019s childhood memory of preparing for Shabbat by \u201cbuilding a floor\u201d and \u201cdoing the stove\u201d \u2013 her home\u2019s dirt floors had to be swept and pounded down, and Beverly would pile up the bricks for the oven, which was then whitewashed. Her family immigrated to Canada in 1929 with only the clothes on their backs, which were sewn from potato sacks. During the Second World War, Beverly came to Vancouver to spend time with her sister Ruby, and she met her husband Dave. They married and had two daughters and a wonderful life together.<\/p>\n

Beverly continues to live in her own home because of the love and devotion of her family. The Turnbulls \u2013 Wendy, husband Steve and boys Ryan and Gavin \u2013 and the Blonds \u2013 Arlene, husband Les and children Amanda and Ben \u2013 are all devoted to their mom and bubbie.<\/p>\n

Both daughters Arlene and Wendy gave heartfelt speeches at the birthday party. Arlene said, \u201cIt\u2019s very reassuring to families to know that their loved ones have a safe place to go where they are not only stimulated but treated like family.\u201d Wendy said, \u201cL\u2019Chaim remembers that older people deserve respect for a lifetime of achievements and all that they are today. The sheer joy with which the staff planned Beverly\u2019s party touched all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

The L\u2019Chaim Adult Day Centre strives to improve the quality of life of its participants by providing a caring and stimulating group experience for those who might otherwise be socially isolated, while also providing support and respite for care-giving families and friends. It is funded in part by Vancouver Coastal Health, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver and private donations from the larger community.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\"photo<\/a>
Shirley Barnett and Philip Dayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the evening of June 13, siblings Shirley Barnett and Philip Dayson were honoured with the B.C. Genealogical Society Book Award. Barnett and Dayson were recognized for their book Don\u2019t Break the Chain<\/em>, which describes the journey of Abraham and Toba Nemetz from Svatatroiske in Ukraine to Vancouver and points in between.<\/p>\n

Fleeing from pogroms in 1922, Abraham and Toba began a new life in Canada. One of the pages in Don\u2019t Break the Chain<\/em> outlines how their family of nine children grew into 196 descendants. Family trees and portraits \u2013 both individual and group \u2013 are part of a fascinating picture of a family whose lives became an important part of both the Jewish and general communities of Vancouver.<\/p>\n

In her acceptance of the award, Barnett said that, while researching the book, numerous family members (known and previously unknown) were reached with 100% cooperation from all of them in helping to compile information for the book. The title comes from Ben Dayson, Barnett and Dayson\u2019s father. Although he married into the family, because of his belief in the value of family ties, Ben Dayson often \u201cended his conversations and speeches with the sentence, \u2018don\u2019t break the chain.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Barnett thanked the Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia for their support and rich accumulation of archival material. For more information, interested readers may access nemetzfamily.ca or the Jewish Museum at jewishmuseum.ca.<\/p>\n

Congratulations to Shirley Barnett and Philip Dayson for being honoured by the B.C. Genealogical Society, who recognized the positive impact of their family and this book on the history and development of our province.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\"photo<\/a>
Left to right are Mariam Harutyunyan, Dr. Mark Rosengarten, Linda Glick and Kim Branch. Harutyunyan and Branch are Better at Home volunteers. Rosengarten and Glick are JFS volunteers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the evening of June 5, Jewish Family Services hosted more than 70 people at its first annual Volunteer Appreciation Event. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the dedicated volunteers of JFS and the Better at Home program, a government-funded service for seniors managed by United Way and administered by JFS. The guest speaker, Dr. Rotem Regev, presented on the value of human connection, empathy and the power of giving back.<\/p>\n

Richard Fruchter, chief executive officer of JFS, spoke about the commitment of volunteers to the agency, describing \u201cvolunteers as the life-blood of JFS.\u201d It was volunteers, he said, who founded the Jewish Family Welfare Bureau of Vancouver (JFS\u2019s original name) when it opened more than 80 years ago to assist the poor and elderly living in Vancouver, and to help resettle new immigrants fleeing antisemitism in Europe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour commitment to uplifting lives, for our clients and community, is an example for us all,\u201d Fruchter said. \u201cBy stepping up to help, offering your time, skills and resources, you are the reason we can meet more of the needs in our community and accomplish the work that we do.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are more than 170 people who volunteer regularly through JFS and Better at Home, and some have been serving for more than 15 years. JFS\u2019s youngest volunteers are in grades 7 and 8 from Vancouver Talmud Torah and King David High School who help regularly at the Jewish Food Bank.<\/p>\n

JFS volunteers are responsible for a wide range of work. They support the Jewish Food Bank at the Peretz Centre; seniors lunches and outreach services, such as grocery shopping, visiting and driving to and from appointments; English-language practice for newcomers to Canada; interviewing skills for job seekers; mental health outreach; and administrative support in the office. Chanukah helpers, Passover hampers, Rosh Hashanah activities and Project Isaiah are all programs that rely almost entirely on volunteers. For many individuals and families, these Jewish holiday programs are the only connections they have with their Jewish heritage.<\/p>\n

For more information on volunteering with JFS, contact Ayana Honig at ahonig@jfsvancouver.ca<\/a> or call 604-226-5151.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Louis Brier Home and Hospital has successfully achieved accreditation with exemplary standing from Accreditation Canada.<\/p>\n

Accreditation Canada is an independent, not-for-profit organization that sets standards for quality and safety in health care and accredits health organizations in Canada and around the world. Louis Brier Home and Hospital voluntarily participated in accreditation because it believes that quality and safety matter to residents and their families\/significant others. Improving the quality of care is a continuous journey \u2013 a journey to which Louis Brier is fully committed.<\/p>\n

As part of the Qmentum program, the home and hospital has undergone a rigorous evaluation process. Following a comprehensive self-assessment, external peer surveyors conducted an on-site survey during which they assessed the organization\u2019s leadership, governance, clinical programs and services against Accreditation Canada requirements for quality and safety. These requirements include national standards of excellence; required safety practices to reduce potential harm; and questionnaires to assess the work environment, resident safety culture, governance functioning and client experience. Results from all these components were considered in the accreditation decision.<\/p>\n

The accreditation survey team spent four days at Louis Brier, and reviewed a total of 19 required organizational practices (ROPs), 216 high priority criteria and 295 other criteria for a total of 551 criteria. The accreditation surveyors determined that the Louis Brier successfully met 100% of the ROPs and 100% of the criteria evaluated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am very proud of everyone at Louis Brier Home and Hospital,\u201d said Dr. David Keselman, chief executive officer. \u201cOur staff worked and continue to work incredibly hard to make sure we meet the needs of our residents in every possible way, helping them and their loved ones maintain optimal health status, control and dignity every day, every time. Receiving exemplary standing from Accreditation Canada is a real testament to the changing culture and focus at Louis Brier Home and Hospital. Accreditation Canada standards and requirements will continue to guide us into the future as we continue to evolve and continuously improve our practices and care delivery efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added, \u201cI will, of course, be remiss if I do not mention the ongoing support and generosity of the LBHH and WR [Weinberg Residence] and the [Louis Brier Jewish Aged] foundation boards, without whom this journey may not have been as smooth or possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association\u2019s Liberty Awards recognize outstanding achievements to protect and promote human rights and freedoms in Canada. Among the 2018 award winners were Ken Klonsky, for excellence in the arts, and Peter Klein, for excellence in journalism.<\/p>\n

Klonsky, co-author of Dr. Rubin Carter\u2019s Eye of the Hurricane<\/em>, is a former Toronto teacher and writer now living in Vancouver. He is a director of Innocence International, the organization conceived by Carter to help free wrongly convicted prisoners worldwide. His artistic works call readers to action to defend civil liberties and improve the justice system. His art and advocacy on behalf of those who have been wrongfully convicted has contributed greatly to the advancement of human rights in Canada and internationally.<\/p>\n

Klein is a journalist, writer and documentary filmmaker. He has been a producer for the CBS newsmagazine 60 Minutes<\/em> since 1999, produces video projects for the New York Times<\/em> and writes columns regularly for the Globe and Mail<\/em>. He is the founder of the Global Reporting Centre, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reporting on neglected global issues and innovating the practice of global journalism. His record of groundbreaking broadcast journalism exposing human rights abuses around the world deserves to be celebrated. His efforts are empowering the next generation to continue to hold the powerful to account.<\/p>\n

The other 2018 Liberty Awards were Miranda Hlady (youth or community activism), Stockwoods LLP (legal advocacy, group) and Dr. Pamela Palmater (legal advocacy, individual). Hassan Diab, Rania Tfaily and Don Bayne, on behalf of the Hassan Diab Support Committee, were recognized with the Reg Robson Award, which is given annually to honour substantial contributions to the cause of civil liberties in British Columbia and Canada.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This year, Jewish Federation honoured, for the first time, an organization outside of the Jewish community. The inaugural recipient of the honour was the Vancouver Police Department. *** At its annual general meeting June 19, the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver honoured four volunteers: Alex Cristall, Judi Korbin, Judith Cohen and Courtney Cohen. It also […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":29515,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[8241,7098,8242,8243,8240,4960,7702,3649,7703,8244,5617,8245,1755,8239],"class_list":["post-29546","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local","tag-accreditation","tag-bccla","tag-beverly-klein","tag-birthdays","tag-civil-liberties","tag-genealogy","tag-jewish-family-services","tag-jewish-federation","tag-jfs","tag-lchaim","tag-louis-brier","tag-philip-dayson","tag-shirley-barnett","tag-volunteers"],"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\/29546","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=29546"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29546\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29515"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29546"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29546"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29546"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}