{"id":39175,"date":"2022-07-22T01:37:41","date_gmt":"2022-07-22T08:37:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/?p=39175"},"modified":"2022-07-20T11:55:23","modified_gmt":"2022-07-20T18:55:23","slug":"community-milestones-awards-honours-weddings-releases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/2022\/07\/22\/community-milestones-awards-honours-weddings-releases\/","title":{"rendered":"Community milestones … awards, honours, weddings, releases"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leamore Cohen (photo by Efrat Gal-Or Nucleus Photography)<\/em><\/p>\n

The Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver\u2019s inclusion services<\/strong> program is one of the recipients of the Lieutenant Governor\u2019s Arts and Music Awards, in the category of visual arts. This one-time honour, marking the Queen\u2019s Platinum Jubilee, recognizes organizations like the JCC that have excelled in fostering wide community engagement through a robust spectrum of arts and culture programs. Most important: the award emphasizes the JCC\u2019s commitment to diversity and inclusivity.<\/p>\n

It all began with a passionate letter of nomination by Chaia Schneid, whose daughter, Sarah Halpern, discovered \u201ca previously untapped creative passion\u201d in the Art Hive and Theatre Lab classes she attended, among other programs run through the JCC\u2019s inclusion services. Writing to the Hon. Janet Austin, lieutenant governor of British Columbia, Schneid stated: \u201cThe quality of the arts and culture programs is unlike anything we have found elsewhere. They are professionally delivered and of the highest calibre, and yet individualized to meet the special needs of the diverse participants.\u201d In particular, Schneid praised the JCC\u2019s annual Jewish Disability and Awareness Inclusion Month (JDAIM). Schneid also praised current program director and inclusion services coordinator Leamore Cohen<\/strong>, calling her a \u201crare individual.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shelley Rivkin, vice-president, local and global engagement, at the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver wrote a letter of support for the nomination. In it, she highlighted several inclusion services arts and social programs, and\u00a0Cohen\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeamore Cohen is the driving force behind these programs and her compassion, creativity and commitment to inclusion shine through in all aspects of the program,\u201d wrote Rivkin. \u201cShe is always generating new ways and ideas for participants to engage with the arts and to create to the best of their abilities. These programs break new ground by offering meaningful educational and recreational opportunities for people with diverse needs. Having had the opportunity to attend some events, I have seen firsthand the joy that participants feel in being able to express themselves in a variety of mediums and the pride that their parents and family members experience when they see the creativity and talent of their loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a growing number of Vancouverites from all religious and ethnic backgrounds, and across all ages and abilities, the calibre and range of the JCC\u2019s work is well-known. A schedule of performing and fine arts programs coincides with an array of sport, leisure and fitness options inside a facility that houses a theatre, library, gymnasium and pool. The JCC is also widely known for its annual Jewish Book and Chutzpah! festivals \u2013 both occupying a key place in the city\u2019s cultural calendar \u2013 alongside community services including preschool and toddler daycare.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile the arts programming is the centrepiece of what is being offered,\u201d wrote Rivkin, \u201cother inclusion programming for adults includes free memberships and access to all the fitness and wellness facilities at the Jewish community centre along with two virtual classes offered five days a week that are designed to be sensitive to the sensory stimulation needs of participants.\u201d<\/p>\n

Noting that activities continued throughout the pandemic, Rivkin concluded, \u201cthe program demonstrates its dedication to equity and inclusion daily by the range of programs embedded in the arts that have been opened up to this population and, of course, commitment, both on the part of Leamore Cohen, who dedicates so much time and thought to designing these programs, and to the participants themselves, who have remained active and involved despite their personal barriers and the COVID restrictions.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"photo<\/a>
MP Joyce Murray, left, with Annette Whitehead at Trimble Park, June 18. (photo courtesy a community member)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On June 18, Annette Whitehead<\/strong> was awarded a Queen\u2019s Platinum Jubilee pin by MP Joyce Murray. Whitehead was nominated for the honour by Kitsilano Community Centre for her outstanding commitment and dedication to her community. She also received a certificate as a sign of gratitude for all the wonderful and hard work she does for her constituency.<\/p>\n

June 2022 marked the 70th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. To commemorate this milestone, Murray was issued a number of Platinum Jubilee pins, which she decided would be best used to celebrate and thank those who volunteer in Vancouver Quadra. The ceremony took place at Trimble Park.<\/p>\n

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On July 7, the National Audubon Society announced the winners of its 13th annual Audubon Photography Awards. This year, judges awarded eight prizes across five divisions from a pool of 2,416 entrants from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and seven Canadian provinces and territories.<\/p>\n

Local Jewish community member Liron Gertsman<\/strong> won three awards:<\/p>\n