{"id":47467,"date":"2025-08-29T01:43:30","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T08:43:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/?p=47467"},"modified":"2025-08-27T14:09:27","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T21:09:27","slug":"community-milestones-august-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/2025\/08\/29\/community-milestones-august-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Community milestones … August 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"photo<\/a>
Rabbi Dr. Laura Duhan-Kaplan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rabbi Dr. Laura Duhan-Kaplan<\/b> has been appointed the new dean of the ALEPH (Alliance for Jewish Renewal) Ordination Program (AOP). She will assume her role on Sept. 8.<\/p>\n

Following the leadership of AOP\u2019s retired founding dean Rabbi Marcia Prager, and two years of direction by Interim Dean Dr. Charles H. Silverstein, the AOP governors are pleased to welcome Duhan-Kaplan into this role.<\/p>\n

A scholar, teacher and spiritual leader known for integrating mind and heart, Duhan-Kaplan brings decades of experience in Jewish studies, interfaith dialogue and rabbinic education. Most recently, she was professor of Jewish studies, director of inter-religious studies and interim academic dean at the Vancouver School of Theology. Ordained by ALEPH in 2005, she has served as AOP faculty,<\/p>\n

a member of the Va\u2019ad \u2013 the core administrative and organizational council that directs the seminary \u2013 and is rabbi emerita of Vancouver\u2019s Or Shalom Synagogue.<\/p>\n

Duhan-Kaplan\u2019s many honours include the American Academy of Religion\u2019s Katie Geneva Cannon Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Carnegie Foundation\u2019s US Professor of the Year Award. A prolific author and editor, she has published 10 books, most recently Mouth of the Donkey: Re-imagining Biblical Animals and The Infinity Inside: Jewish Spiritual Practice Through a Multi-faith Lens.<\/p>\n

Born in New York City, Duhan-Kaplan is a dual Canadian-American citizen and lives in Vancouver with her spouse, musician and retired psychologist Charles Kaplan. For more information about the ALEPH Ordination Program, visit aop.aleph.org.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

\"photo<\/a>
Rabbi Harry Brechner, who retires from\u00a0 Congregation Emanu-El this month, was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York earlier this year.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After 24 years of service, Rabbi Harry Brechner<\/b> retires this month and Rabbi Elisha (Eli) Herb <\/i>is welcomed as the new rabbi at Congregation Emanu-El. Herb joins the Victoria community from Salem, Ore., where he has served as a congregational rabbi for nine years.<\/p>\n

In 2024, Brechner received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his significant contributions to interfaith connections, social justice and community dialogue in British Columbia. In 2025, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City for more than 25 years of distinguished service. A retirement party for him is planned for September and a formal installation ceremony for Herb will be held later this fall.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

\"photo<\/a>
Shayna Goldberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shayna Goldberg <\/b>is the new artistic managing director of the Norman and Annette Rothstein Theatre and the Chutzpah! Festival.<\/p>\n

From Toronto, Goldberg has lived in Vancouver for almost 12 years. She has worked in the theatre and music industries, and been involved in the Jewish community, taking on roles within Moishe House, Axis Young Professionals and Na\u2019amat Canada.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s Chutzpah! Festival is scheduled for Nov. 13-23.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

The 2024 campaign of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver <\/b>raised $13.17 million: $9.38 million through the annual campaign, $1.78 million in additional funding directed to special projects, $1.86 million to combat antisemitism and $150,000 in additional funding thanks to corporate partners.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the theme \u201cPower of Together,\u201d the support came at a critical moment for our community. In the face of rising antisemitism and a deepening affordability crisis, community members chose to act \u2013 with tzedakah and with a commitment to collective impact.<\/p>\n

Because of community donors, Jewish Federation and its partners can support families and individuals struggling with the rising cost of living; enhance community security at institutions and events across the region; counter antisemitism with strength and resolve; provide care and connection to Jewish seniors, Holocaust survivors, young families and those most vulnerable; and offer hope and aid to all those living in our partnership region in the Upper Galilee, most of whom were evacuated post-Oct. 7 and have only recently returned home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information, visit jewishvancouver.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

On Aug. 7, Omatidio Media announced that production has begun in Vancouver on actor-turned-writer\/director Elyse Levesque\u2019s debut short film Hot Chocolate<\/i>, which she wrote and is co-directing with Michael Driscoll.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"photo<\/a>
Jay Brazeau (photo from imdb.com)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The film, shooting in Vancouver and Port Coquitlam, features a cast including multi-award- winning musician and actor Jann Arden, Clare McConnell (Star Trek: Discovery, Murdoch Mysteries<\/i>), Paul Campbell (Battlestar Galactica<\/i>), Kristian Bruun (Orphan Black<\/i>), Leah Gibson (Jessica Jones<\/i>), Jana Morrison (Astrid <\/i>and Lilly Save the World<\/i>), Alvin Sanders (Riverdale<\/i>), Jay Brazeau<\/strong> (Day of the Dead<\/i>), Luisa d\u2019Oliveira (The 100<\/i>) and Paula Giroday (Family Law<\/i>).<\/p>\n

Based on a true story, Hot Chocolate<\/i> centres on Margot, who is on her way to a wedding with her boyfriend Cameron, when she finds herself the plus-one to a most unexpected event: his uncle\u2019s assisted death.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

Over the past months, there have been updates about the what, when and where of JWest<\/b>, but one important question remained: Who are the people behind this project?<\/p>\n

JWest was born from a shared vision between the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver (JCC), Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver (JFGV) and King David High School (KDHS). Several years ago, leaders from these organizations came together with the idea to not just to update the existing JCC, but to completely reimagine the space as a multi-use Jewish campus. Since then, a broad network of people has been working to bring this vision to life.<\/p>\n

The JWest Foundation Board, the JWest Development Corp board and several volunteer committees, together with leadership from the JCC, Federation and KDHS, have been guiding the project.<\/p>\n

JWest Foundation<\/b>: Responsible for the oversight of campus development and management of future revenue. Chair: Alex Cristall<\/b>. Directors: Diane Friedman, Martin Gerber, Hodie Kahn, Lana Marks Pulver, Diane Switzer<\/b> and Alvin Wasserman<\/b>.<\/p>\n

JWest Development Corp<\/b>: Responsible for the management of campus construction. Chair: David Porte<\/b>. Vice-chair: Joe Khalifa<\/b>. Directors: Andrew Abramowich, Chris Andison, Michael Berkson, Alfonso Ergas, Phil Gertsman, Geoff Glotman, Mark Gurvis, Lana Marks Pulver<\/b> and Lawrence Zimmering<\/b>.<\/p>\n

The JWest staff team supports volunteers and partner organizations in delivering the day-to-day operations:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Executive director: Emily Pritchard<\/b>, who led fundraising efforts over the last four years, raising \u2013 with the efforts of the campaign cabinet \u2013 $147 million, completing the first phase of the campaign. Pritchard stepped into the ED role in July, expanding her leadership beyond fundraising to overseeing the full scope of the project.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Director of finance: Roni Greif<\/b>, who brings a strategic financial lens to the team, shaped by years of professional experience and community involvement through KDHS and Congregation Beth Israel. Greif is instrumental in building the financial systems and structures that will support JWest not only through construction, but well into the future. She is helping lay the financial foundation for this project\u2019s long-term success.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Vice-president, development: Maurice Ouellette<\/b>. With a background in architecture and a track record in real estate development, Ouellette plays a key role in shaping and delivering the physical campus. He works closely with Acton Ostry Architects and liaises with the City of Vancouver to make sure that planning, approvals and design meet (and exceed) expectations, from sustainability to architectural excellence.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Development manager: Hayden Kremer<\/b>, who is involved across all areas of project development and operations for JWest Development Corp. Whether he\u2019s reviewing Oakridge Energy\u2019s proposal for the JCC\u2019s future energy needs, working with Grosvenor on temporary parking during construction, or negotiating rezoning conditions with the City of Vancouver, he is solving problems, managing logistics and keeping everything moving forward.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the project and explore the community of donors helping bring it to life, visit JWestNow.com<\/a> and follow JWest on Instagram<\/a> and Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rabbi Dr. Laura Duhan-Kaplan has been appointed the new dean of the ALEPH (Alliance for Jewish Renewal) Ordination Program (AOP). She will assume her role on Sept. 8. Following the leadership of AOP\u2019s retired founding dean Rabbi Marcia Prager, and two years of direction by Interim Dean Dr. Charles H. Silverstein, the AOP governors are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[27,5432,573,7737,24287,5103,24286,3546,4352,21863,23,23387],"class_list":["post-47467","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-local","tag-aleph","tag-annual-campaign","tag-chutzpah-festival","tag-congregation-emanu-el","tag-elisha-eli-herb","tag-harry-brechner","tag-hot-chocolate","tag-jay-brazeau","tag-jewish-federation-of-greater-vancouver","tag-jwest","tag-laura-duhan-kaplan","tag-shayna-goldberg"],"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\/47467","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=47467"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47467\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47467"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47467"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47467"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}