Stories

Coming Together for Mental Health

Passport: Mental Health  On January 19, JFS, with the generous support of United Way of BC, hosted the inaugural Passport: Mental Health workshops—an inspiring day dedicated to well-being and self-care. In addition to JFS, 10 community non-profits and local mental health and wellness providers engaged attendees through experiential or seminar-type presentations.   Throughout the day, […]

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Celebrating Culinary Heritage and Community Connections

On December 19, 2024, the most recent Supper Club event, One Family’s Story: A Persian Jewish Journey, brought people together for an evening filled with rich traditions, stories, and flavors. Hosted by JFS staff Golriz Boroomand, the event offered guests an immersive experience into Persian Jewish culture and cuisine. Golriz told her family’s story of

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Sara’s House: Honouring a Legacy

ASTEH Becomes Sara’s House Sara Ciacci z’l is, in many ways, an urban legend—a name synonymous with impact, compassion, and transformative change in our community. Sara dedicated her life to fighting food insecurity, most notably co-founding the Jewish Food Bank in 1984. She was also a passionate advocate against domestic violence, establishing ASTEH (Alternative Short

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Plastic bins filled with a variety of fresh produce is displayed in front of the JFS truck. Two people pose with the bins. In the background are a barn and blue sky.

Expanding Local Partnerships for Food Security

This fall has brought an expansion of local partnerships for JFS Food Security Programs. These partnerships are enriching lives by increasing food security and advancing food justice. Donations from Locally Owned Farms Two locally owned farms have joined the group of farms providing local produce for JFS Grocery and Meals Programs. Heppell’s Potato Corp. has

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Celebrating Volunteers Who Bring Compassion to Life

On September 4th, volunteers from all JFS programs were celebrated and thanked at a special Volunteer Appreciation event. JFS staff welcomed our wonderful volunteers to the Vancouver Jewish Community Garden for an evening of light refreshments, entertainment, and a chance to celebrate the many achievements that have been made possible by these dedicated individuals. Charlotte

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Global Demographic Report on Jewish Holocaust Survivors

In January 2024, the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) released the Global Demographic Report on Jewish Holocaust Survivors, a demographic study on Jewish Holocaust survivors living around the world. These global findings mirror what is happening here at JFS.   JFS Holocaust Survivor Program Our Holocaust Survivor Program has approximately 160 participants

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Lighting the Way – 18 Years of Chai Impact

2024 is the 18th, or Chai anniversary of our most significant fundraiser, JFS Innovators. In that time, the event has raised over $5 million to support vital JFS programs and initiatives for thousands of individuals and families. As we prepare to welcome attendees to this year’s event, we pause to celebrate the many innovations and

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A group of older adults participate in a fitness class.

A Holistic Approach to Senior Wellness: Mind, Body, and Spirit

Being healthy is not a “one-size-fits-all” concept: it looks different for everyone. Enter holistic wellness, which acknowledges that the mind, body, and spirit are interconnected with your overall well-being. This is important to keep in mind as we journey through our golden years, since our bodies change. However, these changes do not have to stop

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