Upcoming Events

Help Shape JFS’ Housing Strategy

We need your input to highlight key housing issues and help shape JFS’ next 5-year strategic plan. While JFS is not a housing provider, we’re asking: What can we do to better support clients during this housing crisis?

We’ve begun gathering feedback through a Housing Focus Group in July — thank you to those who participated! This fall, we’re continuing the conversation with four client working groups focused on key housing topics.

Upcoming Sessions:

• Sept 19: Tenant-Landlord Relationships, and Safety/Security/Building Maintenance
• Oct 10: Follow-up and Lack of Follow-Up from Various Agencies
• Oct 24: Community in Social Housing – including Senior Isolation
• Nov 14: Housing Supply and Cost

• Location:  JFS Kitchen – 53 3rd Ave E, Vancouver
• Time: 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
• ☕ Tea, coffee, and cookies provided.

If you’re passionate, have ideas, or want to collaborate with fellow clients — please register!

• Get a tour of the Vancouver Jewish Community Garden
• Cut flowers and make your own beautiful fresh bouquet to take home – perfect for your Rosh Hashanah Table
• Harvest seasonal produce to take home (Remember to bring a jar for your flowers and bag for your produce)
• Limited to TEN participants and registration is required
• Once you register, you will be given parking and public transportation information
• Program will happen rain or shine so remember to dress appropriately

For more details, registration, and the Zoom link, please contact Tamar Stein, Seniors Community Outreach Coordinator at 604-558-5709 or [email protected].

Overview

• Date: Wednesday, September 17th, 2025
• Time: 5:00 PM Games, 6:00 PM Dinner
• Location:  989 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 0E8

Do you have a loved one facing addiction? You’re not alone—and there is hope.

Join a supportive community for Jewish individuals and allies navigating the pain and complexity of loving someone in active addiction, rooted in compassion and community.

To ensure a safe environment for all participants, newcomers are screened before joining. If you’re looking for a respectful, spiritually-grounded space to heal and grow, we would love to have you.

There is a solution. Be part of it. Join us bi-weekly on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30pm.

Register at surveymonkey.com/r/jacsfamilycircle or contact us at 604-416-4164 or [email protected].

Overview

Join us for the community kitchen as we come together to make healthy nutritious meals. Let’s cook and connect. No culinary experience is necessary, and you get to bring home what you make!

Please note:

• Lunch will not be served but there will be coffee, tea and snacks following the cooking.
• The JFS Kitchen is a BCK Certified Parve space, all food prepared will be vegetarian (eggs may be used but no dairy).

Reminder:

• Please bring your used containers to fill up with extra take-away food

Join us to meet our Better At Home team and learn about the many free and subsidized/low cost support programs JFS has to offer for older adults age 65+. You’ll hear about services including: light housekeeping, grocery assistance, meals delivery, minor home repairs, transportation to and from appointments, friendly visits, group activities, and navigational supports.

Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Time: 1PM – 2PM
Location: St. Mary’s Kerrisdale Parish Hall, 2490 37th Ave W, Vancouver

Snacks and refreshments will be served.

About our facilitator: Anna Spillane is a physiotherapist with the OASIS Arthritis Education program, part of Vancouver Coastal Health, working with arthritis patients to educate around self-management and live a more active life with arthritis.

For more details, registration, and the Zoom link, please contact Tamar Stein, Seniors Community Outreach Coordinator at 604-558-5709 or [email protected].

Struggling with addiction or questioning your relationship with substances? Already in recovery but feeling spiritually disconnected?

Join JACS’ Jewish Addiction Circle (JAC) for a safe, confidential, and judgement-free space to share your story and connect with others. JAC offers more than support—it’s a caring community that taps into Judaism’s spiritual resources for healing and transformation.

All are welcome and new participants are screened to ensure a secure, supportive environment. If you’re seeking a Jewish-informed space to discuss addiction and recovery, JAC is here for you. Join us bi-weekly on Mondays from 7:00-8:30pm.

Register today at surveymonkey.com/r/jewishaddictioncircle or contact us at 604-416-4164 or [email protected].

Come by to speak with JFS Community Connector, Bonnie Ho, who will be at the library to support older adults in accessing local community resources, services and/or paths toward connection.

This drop-in will support older adults who might need help with:

• Social isolation
• Living with chronic health conditions
• Community supports to age better at home

Date: Monday, September 8, 2025
Time: 10AM-12PM
Location: Mount Pleasant Branch, Vancouver Public Library, 1 Kingsway, Vancouver
Cost: Free

Drop-in; no registration required.

For more information, contact Bonnie Ho at [email protected] or 604-637-3316.

This program is intended for residents of Mount Pleasant, Kensington, Riley Park/South Cambie neighbourhoods. People with all ethnic or cultural backgrounds welcome.

Let’s share Shabbat together!

Seniors Sharing Shabbat is a once a month Shabbat meal delivery program generously supported by Herb and Barbara Silber. The vegetarian/parve meal comes with a delicious dessert and a “Shabbat bag” with candles, grape juice, and challah buns to make it easier for you to celebrate at home.

Registration is currently open, with limited availability.

If you are interested in participating or have any questions about the program, please contact Tamar Stein, Seniors Community Outreach Coordinator at 604-558-5709 or [email protected].

Please note, to be eligible for this program, participants cannot be registered in another Shabbat meal program, must be age 55+, and must live in our delivery area or be able to pick the meal up from The Kitchen.

Join us for a free, practical workshop designed to help older adults and their families better understand the BC healthcare system, including Hospital Discharge Planning, Public and Private Home Care, and Residential Care.

Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025
Time: 10AM – 11:30AM
Location: Seniors Centre Craft Room @ Kerrisdale Community Centre, 5851 West Blvd, Vancouver

Space is limited and registration is required. Learn more or register online now.

Do you have a loved one facing addiction? You’re not alone—and there is hope.

Join a supportive community for Jewish individuals and allies navigating the pain and complexity of loving someone in active addiction, rooted in compassion and community.

To ensure a safe environment for all participants, newcomers are screened before joining. If you’re looking for a respectful, spiritually-grounded space to heal and grow, we would love to have you.

There is a solution. Be part of it. Join us bi-weekly on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30pm.

Register at surveymonkey.com/r/jacsfamilycircle or contact us at 604-416-4164 or [email protected].