Held at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, guests filled the D\/6 Bar & Lounge. JFS board members Candice Stein Thal and Raechelle Paperny were the event co-chairs.<\/p>\n
Stein Thal spoke about JFS\u2019s \u201cnine decades of supporting our community with dignity, compassion and care.\u201d Innovators itself is an example, she said, of \u201cPeople showing up for one another, investing in one another and making sure that no one has to navigate life\u2019s challenges alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paperny described the wide range of services offered by JFS, \u201cwhether that\u2019s putting food on the table, accessing mental health support or simply feeling less alone.\u201d She said JFS\u2019s power lies not in \u201cwhat we do but how we do it. We meet people with compassion and with dignity, we respond with innovation and we continue to evolve because the needs of our community are increasing and ever-changing.\u201d While proud of their 90-year history, Paperny said they\u2019re even more focused on the future.<\/p>\n Brent Davis and Todd Thal presented the Lighting the Way Award to Garry Zlotnik for his leadership. Davis noted that Zlotnik had \u201cearned the respect of this community long before he started sponsoring events or making donations.\u201d The award recognized Zlotnik\u2019s capacity for \u201cleadership, compassion and moving others forward.\u201d With financial and volunteer contributions that have spanned decades, Zlotnik \u201chas never failed to make a difference with his time, his leadership and his energy,\u201d said Davis.<\/p>\n Both Thal and Davis described the positive influence Zlotnik has had on their lives, as a mentor and role model. \u201cHe showed me that success isn\u2019t just about building a business, it\u2019s what you do with that success, how you help people and give back to the community,\u201d said Thal, who described Zlotnik as someone who \u201cmakes connections and helps others succeed \u2013 and he does it without wanting any recognition.\u201d<\/p>\n Davis added that donations were a good way to honour a man who is \u201calways one of the first to say yes,\u201d when a cause or an organization needs support.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Before the award was presented, a short video was shown featuring Zlotnik speaking of his involvement with JFS. He said he was raised in a family where the attitude of \u201cgiving back was instilled in me at a very early age.\u201d One of the greatest rewards has been, he said, meeting \u201cso many unbelievably fantastic people.\u201d He appreciated that donors could \u201cshare the benefits of what you\u2019re doing on a direct basis with people\u201d who have been in hard times. Having turned 70 in 2025, Zlotnik said this was a good time \u201cto reflect on the legacy and the work that I\u2019ve done for the Jewish community,\u201d and he quoted the late Joseph Segal, who said, \u201cthe more you give, the more you get \u2013 and what you get is fulfilment.\u201d Zlotnik hopes that this legacy of giving back will endure through his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids: \u201chopefully, they will do the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n In person, Zlotnik added that he\u2019d had his birthday party in the same room last year. He reminisced about one of his proudest moments, working on the Maccabi Games, and pointed out that his brother, Marty, was a former board member. He reminded everyone that this was a great opportunity to support local people who \u201cjust need a little extra help.\u201d<\/p>\n Shay (Shy) Keil, the event\u2019s presenting sponsor, introduced a video about JFS\u2019s 90-year history: \u201cA powerful reminder that, behind every service, every meal, every act of care, there is a person whose life has been changed because this community chose to step forward, extend a hand and act. I encourage you to watch closely and open your hearts.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Keil spoke about the importance of the Innovators event. \u201cI cannot imagine any other event in our community as important as this one,\u201d he said. \u201cFor decades, JFS has been there for people in moments of hardship, uncertainty and vulnerability … not just for support, but for dignity, compassion and hope.\u201d<\/p>\n He reminded the audience that the need in the community was still growing, and \u201cso does the impact of JFS. From food security and counseling to seniors\u2019 support, addiction services, they\u2019re helping rebuild people\u2019s lives. That is what inspires me about JFS. This organization shows up for people.\u201d<\/p>\n The video explained how JFS was founded 90 years ago to help vulnerable community members and newcomers, based on the value of tikkun olam<\/i>, repair of the world. A main goal was to ensure that the social, physical and emotional needs of Jewish refugees were being met. JFS\u2019s services have expanded greatly since it began \u2013 to all members of the Jewish community, as well as local non-Jews in need of care and support, including with food assistance, mental health and counseling, and advocacy and care management.<\/p>\n After the video, JFS chief executive officer Tanja Demajo stressed: \u201cIt\u2019s not just about large donations. Every dollar that\u2019s provided makes a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n She explained, in the video, how JFS will continue with the value of tikkun olam as its guide: \u201cto help each other when that help is needed, so that no one is left behind.\u201d<\/p>\n As he does for so many community fundraisers, auctioneer Howard Blank asked the audience for donations. For each dollar amount, he explained what the funds raised would cover, and what kind of difference it would make. For example, a gift of $5,000 meant that families could avoid \u201chaving to choose between rent and food,\u201d he said. Other amounts would support the JFS Kitchen, its addiction and recovery program, emergency assistance, preventing evictions, grief and trauma counseling for a year for women fleeing violence.<\/p>\n A digital slide show shared the details of JFS\u2019s impacts: 176 Holocaust survivors are supported by JFS and the agency delivers 2,100 hours of one-on-one client time. It has helped 600 people navigate crises and rebuild lives, and delivers $1.8 million in emergency medical and financial aid annually. Average counseling wait times at JFS have been reduced from 12 months to three weeks, and many thousands of kosher meals have been delivered. JFS distributes 825,000 pounds of food to those in need.<\/p>\n![\"photo](\"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/jun-12-cov.12.JFS-Candice-Stein-Thal-and-Raechelle-Paperny.-Innovators-Co-chairs-RS1_1532.jpg\")
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