Selling bagel sandwiches at a Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver Chanukah event, circa 1990. (photo from JWB fonds, JMABC L.18422)
If you know someone in this photo, please help the JI fill the gaps of its predecessor’s (the Jewish Western Bulletin’s) collection at the Jewish Museum and Archives of B.C. by contacting [email protected] or 604-257-5199. To find out who has been identified in the photos, visit jewishmuseum.ca/blog.
Participants in last year’s Inclusion Journey at the Knesset in Jerusalem, in front of Marc Chagall’s painting “The Exodus.” (photo from JCC inclusion services)
The Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver is part of the international network of Jewish communities celebrating persons with disabilities throughout the month of February. And, on Feb. 6, the entire community is invited to Share the Journey: An Evening of Inspiration, which will feature the screening of My Hero Brother, selected as the leading film for Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month. The event will also include remarks from the Hon. Shane Simpson, the provincial minister of social development and poverty reduction, and a slideshow and presentation by Leamore Cohen, coordinator of the JCC’s inclusion services, about the trip they led to Israel last year.
Many traditions exist within the Jewish community, and we must all work to ensure the accessibility of these traditions for all members of the community. It is within this context that the JCC’s inclusion services led the first-ever Canadian JCC diverse-ability and advocacy Inclusion Journey to Israel, with the support of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, the Gesher Chai Committee and community donors.
Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month reminds us of the importance of cultural connections, inclusive community and accessibility in all traditions and for all people. For its part, the JCC’s inclusion services has organized a number of awareness and visibility initiatives throughout February, including a Ronald McDonald House volunteer initiative with the JCC’s youth programs on Feb. 4 and a “Challa-Luyah” challah bake for the Jewish Food Bank with Axis Vancouver on Feb. 8.
Starting the month’s activities off is the Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m., screening at the Rothstein Theatre. For young Israeli adults, traveling after military service is a right of passage, and My Hero Brother emphasizes that such a right must be available for all young people. In drawing a parallel between local experiences and those highlighted in the film, the JCC hopes to bring attention to the abilities of all persons when community works together.
– JCC inclusion services
***
The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver-organized Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration is the community’s biggest gathering of the year, and the committee, led by Pam Wolfman, has booked two Israeli performers to help us celebrate Israel’s 70th anniversary: Shlomi Shaban and Ninet Tayeb.
Shaban is performing at the upcoming Red Sea Jazz Festival, where he is described as having “the ability to create buoyant virtuoso harmony between classical music, rock and pop…. His characteristic straightforward sense of humour frequently moves on a fine line between black tie concert halls and sweaty smoky rock-n-roll stages.”
Tayeb was the winner of Kochav Nolad (Israeli Idol). Music critic Garreth Browne saw her perform in New York and wrote, “it’s safe to say that the entire audience was fixated and almost hypnotized by her presence.”
Tickets went on sale this week for the April 18 celebration. Visit jewishvancouver.com.
– Courtesy of Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver
***
The Jewish Family Services’ 2018 Innovators Lunch guest speaker will be Leonard Brody. The award-winning entrepreneur, venture capitalist and bestselling author is co-founder and executive chair of Creative Labs, a joint venture with the largest sports and entertainment agency in the world, CAA in Los Angeles. His group is responsible for building new ventures for some of CAA’s most important film, TV and sports celebrities. He also happens to be a community member in Vancouver.
Brody will be talking about The Great Re-Write, his upcoming book in partnership with Forbes magazine, which addresses this unique social and economic moment in history. With rapid social and structural changes have come many challenges for communities, but also opportunities. How do we make the most of this time to invest in our community, uplift society as a whole and ensure we don’t leave people behind? He’ll encourage people to think as innovators to bring about meaningful and lasting social change.
The Innovators Lunch will be held on April 24 at the Vancouver Hyatt. For more details, visit jfsvancouver.ca/innovators.
– Courtesy of Jewish Family Services
The Vancouver Jewish Community Centre doing a children’s baking program, Jan. 18, 1974. (photo from JWB fonds, JMABC L.11635)
If you know someone in this photo, please help the JI fill the gaps of its predecessor’s (the Jewish Western Bulletin’s) collection at the Jewish Museum and Archives of B.C. by contacting [email protected] or 604-257-5199. To find out who has been identified in the photos, visit jewishmuseum.ca/blog.
שנה חדשה: תוכניות בעברית בג’ואיש קומיוניטי סנטר לקהילה הישראלית
הג’ואיש קומיוניטי סנטר של אזור מטרו ונקובר מפרסם בימים אלה מספר תוכניות בשפה העברית לשנת 2018, במסגרת אירועי תרבות יהודית וישראלית, שמיועדים לקהילה הישראלית. את האירועים מארגנת רכזת התרבות של הג’ואיש קומיוניטי סנטר איילת כהן.
להלן מספר תוכניות:
מועדון ארוחת בוקר לנשים ישראליות מדי יום ראשון בשעה 11 בבוקר. האירוע מיועד לישראליות חדשות וותיקות והן ידונו במה שמשותף להן, תוך נסיון ליצור קשרים ביניהן ובן הקהילה.
“דלת הקסמים” – מחזמר לילדים המבוסס על מיטב שיריה של המוסיקאית נורית הירש. ההצגה (שמיועדת לילדים בגילאי 2 עד 8) תתקיים ביום ראשון ה-28 בחודש, בשעה 11 בבוקר.סיפור המחזמר: הילדה מיכל מנסה להשיג מתנה מקורית ומיוחדת ליום ההולדת של אמה. היא יוצאת למסע לממלכת הצלילים בעזרת חבריה, שהם דמויות משיריה של הירש, אותם היא פוגשת בדרך. בין השירים שבמחזמר: מקהלה עליזה, בוקר של זהב, ברבאבא, הבית של פיסטוק, דלת הקסמים, מחרוזת פים פם פה ומחרוזת דיג דיג דוג.
ערב שירה בציבור “שירים שאימצנו” ביום ראשון ה-28 בחודש, בשעה 7 בערב. באירוע משתתפים מרים בני בליווי משה דנבורג ויונה בר סבר. אירוע השירה הבא יתקיים ביום ראשון ה-29 באפריל גם כן ב-7 בערב.
קורסים של עברית לילדים מדי יום רביעי אחר הצהריים, החל מיום רביעי השבוע (ה-10 בחודש) עד ה-14 במרץ. השיעורים לתלמידי הגן וכיתה א’ יועברו בין השעות 4.30-5.30. ואילו השיעורים לתלמידי כיתות ב’-ד’ יועברו בין השעות 5.30-6.30. הקורסים כוללים שיפור העברית בקריאה, כתיבה, דיבור והבנה. כן יועבר חומר על חגי ישראל, המורשת יהודית-ישראלית, בשילוב פעילויות משפחתיות.
לא מומלץ לנסות: רקון אומץ על ידי משפחה והפך לבן בית
רקונים (דביבונים בעברית) הם בעלי חיים ממשפחת היונקים שמקומם בטבע. למרות יופיים בשל הפרווה היפה שמכסה אותם, רבים מעדיפים להתרחק ככל הניתן מהרקונים שרק עושים צרות בצרורות. בחיפושים אחר אוכל בעיקר בפחי אשפה כטורפי לילה – הרקונים הופכים למאוד ארגרסיבים. הם מסוגלים לטרוף אף חתולים או כלבים קטנים. ידוע על מקרים בהם רקונים נשכו גם בני אדם ובעיקר ילדים קטנים. ולכן מי שמבחין בהם בדרך כלל שומר מרחק.
למרות זאת משפחת הולמן שמחזיקה בחווה של בעלי חיים במזרח יוניאק שבמחוז נובה סקוטיה, החליטה לאמץ רקון והעניקה לו את השם ראמבו. הרקון נמצא כתינוק בודד ורעב כמעט למוות על ידי חבורה של ילדים. הם העבירו אותו לטיפולה של משפחת הולמן בשל ניסיונם הרב בטיפול בבעלי חיים כולל רקונים. הביבי רקון הסתגל מהר מאוד לחיי המשפחה והפך לחלק ממנה. ראמבו ישן בלילות בחווה והוא חופשי ללכת לאן שירצה אך למרות זאת הוא מעדיף להישאר עם ההולמנים ומסרב לחזור לטבע. בלית ברירה הוא אומץ על ידם והפך לחיית מחמד. בזמן שראמבו מטייל עם בני המשפחה מחוץ לבית הוא קשור לרצועה ממש כמו כלב. למרות זאת לא מעט מאלה שמבחינים בו מעקמים את הפרצוף, בשל המוניטין הרע שיש לרקונים שכאמור נחשבים לבעלי חיים מסוכנים מאוד.
מומחית לחיות טוענת שלמרות שראמבו הסתגל לחיי בית יש לשחרר אותו בחזרה לטבע ובהקדם, כיוון שרקונים כאשר הם בני שנה הופכים לאגרסיבים ומסוכנים ביותר. ההולמנים מרגישים כי זה כבר מאוחר מדי לשחרר את ראמבו בחזרה לטבע והוחלט שישאר עימם. הם מתכננים בקרוב לסרס את הרקון שלהם ואז לבקש רשיון מהמועצה המקומית להחזיק בו כחוק.
(photo by Shula Klinger)
Paul Harnett shows off his wares at the recent open house and market at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver. (For more on Harnett, see jewishindependent.ca/time-for-new-shofar.) The JCC Rosh Hashanah Marketplace took place Sept. 12-14 and 18 and featured several vendors – of jewelry, art, glassware, clothing, hats and more – and some community organizations also had stands.
Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, 1950. (photo from JWB fonds, JMABC L.11154)
If you know someone in this photo, please help the JI fill the gaps of its predecessor’s (the Jewish Western Bulletin’s) collection at the Jewish Museum and Archives of B.C. by contacting [email protected] or 604-257-5199. To find out who has been identified in the photos, visit jewishmuseum.ca/blog.
Outside the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, 1950. (photo from JWB fonds, JMABC L.11151)
If you know someone in this photo, please help the JI fill the gaps of its predecessor’s (the Jewish Western Bulletin’s) collection at the Jewish Museum and Archives of B.C. by contacting [email protected] or 604-257-5199. To find out who has been identified in the photos, visit jewishmuseum.ca/blog.
The Jewish Community Centre at 41st Avenue and Oak Street, November 1962. (photo from JWB fonds, JMABC L.11512)
It’s hard to believe that, in the 1950s, the Oakridge area was considered a ways out of town. In going through the minutes of the Jewish Community Council of Vancouver from 1954, one can see the initial attempts by the council to find a new Jewish community centre building – which at the time was on Oak Street at 11th Avenue – that would be as conveniently located. They considered exchanging space with the Peretz School, which was on Broadway, and buying the land on which Vancouver Talmud Torah stood, on Oak at 26th. However, they soon started examining the prospect of buying land from Canadian Pacific Railway, south of 41st. The following snippets of meeting minutes from 1954-1962 allow readers to fast forward through the development process and the establishment of the JCC where it is currently located.
Children singing, Camp Miriam, Gabriola Island, B.C., 1979. (photo from JWB fonds; JMABC L.09623)
If you know someone in these photos, please help the JI fill the gaps of its predecessor’s (the Jewish Western Bulletin’s) collection at the Jewish Museum and Archives of B.C. by contacting [email protected] or 604-257-5199. To find out who has been identified in the photos, visit jewishmuseum.ca/blog.
The fitness centre at the Rosen JCC in Orlando, Fla. (photo by Cyndy Phillips)
For Daphna Krupp, her workouts at the Jewish Community Centre (JCC or J) of Greater Baltimore have become somewhat of a ritual. She not only attends fitness classes but also engages with the instructors and plugs the J’s social programs on her personal Facebook page.
“It’s the gym and the environment,” said Krupp. “It’s a great social network.”
Krupp, who lives in Pikesville, Md., is one of an estimated one million American Jewish members of more than 300 Js around the country. Each J – in line with the bylaws of their umbrella organization, the JCC Association of North America (JCCA) – has a fitness centre that serves as one of its core businesses. Often, the fitness centre can be perceived as a for-profit enterprise of the J, with thousands of dollars invested annually in facility maintenance and gym advertising. But Steve Becker, vice-president of health and wellness at JCCA, says that is a myth. “JCCs are not fitness centres, we are engagement centres,” he said. “All fitness-related programs are structured to be relationship-building activities.”
The institution of the J was founded in 1854 as the Young Men’s Hebrew Association (YMHA), to provide help for Jewish immigrants. A Young Women’s Hebrew Association was established as an annex to the YMHA in New York in 1888. The first independent YWHA was set up in 1902. In 1917, these organizations were combined into a Jewish Welfare Board, and later renamed Jewish community centres. “After World War One, the Jewish Welfare Board morphed into an organization to meet the cultural, intellectual, physical and spiritual needs of the Jewish community,” said JCCA communications manager Marla Cohen, noting that physical needs were always part of the equation.
The much-debated 2013 Pew Research Centre study of the American Jewish community found that 62 percent of Jews say being Jewish is mainly a matter of ancestry and culture, rather than religion. The study showed a decline in non-Orthodox individuals involved with the organized Jewish community. As such, communal leaders – from award-winning author and lecturer Dr. Erica Brown to Jewish Agency for Israel president and chief executive officer of international development Misha Galperin – have been calling for increased “low-barrier, high-content” programming to meet Jews where they are. This, says Cohen, is a niche the J can fill. “For some people, aside from High Holiday attendance, working out at the J is probably the only flavor of Judaism they have. The J could be a very big part of these people’s Jewish identity,” Krupp said.
In the last two decades, many Js have opened their doors on Shabbat, in consultation with rabbis and community leaders. “These individuals are not choosing between the JCC and synagogue. They are choosing between everything else – the mall, soccer, snowboarding, you name it – and the J,” said Cohen. “The JCC just gives Jews another option. And many JCCs have stepped in offering meaningful programs for Jews seeking something other than a traditional service.”
Read more at jns.org.
Maayan Jaffe is an Overland Park-based freelance writer. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter, @MaayanJaffe.
