Vancouver
Highlights CHW VANCOUVER CENTRE
Dear Chaverim, More than a year and a half has flown by since I became your Vancouver Centre President. My, how time flies! It has been months of learning, a time of amazing experiences, and a period of interesting challenges. During the Covid-19 Pandemic, although our doors were closed, we continued to work virtually and passionately. Our hearts were warmed by the connections and conversations we had with many of our members. It was a privilege to hear what you had to say and how you have been managing with social distancing and working from home. This time at home has given us much time to reflect on our accomplishments over the past year. In the next few pages, please read about the marvellous events we have held. Over the past months, we have all been sheltering at home. Unfortunately, we could not gather in large numbers and had to postpone our CHW Aviva Games Day 2020. Our projects continue to need us more than ever, and to support our mission, CHW Vancouver creatively began to take our events online! We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming Zoom sessions! Please register by emailing or calling the office. Let us know if you would like to attend and/or get involved in programming. I know that you can have fun and feel rewarded by actively assisting us in supporting our projects for Children, Healthcare, and Women in Israel. As my term as President of CHW Vancouver winds down, I’d like to take this time to thank and recognize all the incredible people who have helped plan and implement programs and events while working together with me to accomplish more. I’m sure that you know how much I appreciate your assistance and commitment to CHW. Thank you to all of you who have supported us by coming out to our events, and thank you to all our Benefactors, Patrons, Sponsors, and Donors. You have continued to show your unwavering support of our organization. We are forever grateful. Todah Rabah!
CHW Vancouver Centre: Telephone: 604-257-5160 Email: office@vancouver.chw.ca Web: www.chw.ca/vancouver Address: 304B-950 West 41st Avenue Vancouver, BC V5Z 2N7
SPRING/SUMMER 2020
Home is where the heart is. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay connected. Thank you everyone for all your support!
Lori Barer Vancouver Centre President Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) passionately supports programs and services for Children, Healthcare, and Women in Israel and Canada.
CHW Vancouver Centre Past Events Voice of Rebellion Book Launch On October 27th, the CHW Vancouver Book Club proudly hosted the launch of the award-winning book by Roberta Staley, Voice of Rebellion: How Mozhdah Jamalzadah Brought Hope to Afghanistan. It was an inspiring event featuring Mozhdah, a young Vancouver woman who came to Canada as a refugee from Afghanistan. She used her voice to fight for the rights of women and children, and to spread the message that all women deserve the opportunity to soar. Special thanks to Book Club Chair, Bev Corber, and our key organizers, Marilyn Hooper, Ruthi Akselrod- Pinto, and Randi Winter for organizing the book launch. Thanks also to award-winning human rights activist Dr. Lauryn Oates for moderating the panel discussion and Q&A, and Greystone Books Ltd. for sponsoring the event. We were very thrilled that so many came out to support the remarkable Mozhdah, writer and documentary filmmaker Roberta Staley, and CW4WAfghan, as well as our CHW projects. It was a coming together of communities in support of women, children, and families.
L-R: Roberta Staley, Mozhdah Jamalzadah, Beverley Corber, Lori Barer, Randi Winter, Ruthi Akselrod-Pinto, Marilyn Hooper, and Dr. Lauryn Oates
Thank you to our generous Benefactors for their support! Beverley Corber Lori Barer Fran Belzberg Miri Garaway Claudia Goldman Marilyn Hooper Gerry Kline
Devan Kublik Florence Morris Landon Pendlebury Nicole Pendlebury Grace Vida Randi Winter
Book Cover
L-R: Janine Chenkis and Lauren Morris
Chanukah Party
L-R: Victoria Kazantseva, Matthew Mintsis, Stephanie Rusen, Tiana Shepelova, and Vlada
Our annual Chanukah event is always a fun, delicious, and memorable way to share the light of this magical holiday. In December, an overflowing room of old friends and new ones, celebrated with talented young Russian Canadian performers: Tiana Shepelova, age 9; Matthew Mintsis, 12; Victoria Kazantseva, 15; and Vlada, 26. With their incredible voices, these amazing singers thoroughly entertained the guests with songs in French, Russian, Italian, Hebrew and English, and of course, there was food! Thank you to the Committee: Stephanie Rusen, Svetlana Zazulina, Debbie Lewin, and Pavel Mangevich, and many thanks to Sasha Gerson for organizing the exceptional vocalists.
Scent and Sustainability
ZoomBA!
The end of May found us longing to transform our gardens. The seed got planted and thanks to Marilyn Hooper, it germinated and bloomed. Master Gardener extraordinaire, Thea Rosenstock, provided inspiration and relevant insights about the seven considerations when planting. She offered valuable advice to the participants in an interesting, educational, and helpful Q&A. All those who were fortunate to join our session left with an eagerness to start making their gardens more beautiful and serene!
On June 4th, professional fitness instructor, Shadia Serrano, enthusiastically led us in our special online Zoom session: ZoomBA. All participants had an energizing dance workout. Deep appreciation to sponsor Debbie Lewin for this terrific idea.
L-R: Shadia Serrano, Gen Nacionales, CIndy WIne, Debbie Zeger, Diana Coop, Sari & Jenna Markowitz, Frances Kraft, Roxie & Debbie Lewin, Lori Barer, and Sara Clodman. Missing from the picture: Stephanie Rusen and Tami Osiel L-R: Gen Nacionales, Lori Barer, Thea Rosenstock, Haya Newman, Marilyn Weinstein, Claudia Goldman, Beverley Corber, Carol Kline, Marilyn Hooper, and Debbie Lewin. Missing from picture: Merle Ames, Ruth Freeman, Stephanie Rusen, Daniella Givon, and Cindy Wine.
In Conversation with: CHW Vancouver Executive Our outgoing CHW Vancouver Centre Executive reminisces about their term: How did you first get involved with CHW? LB: My friend Myra Adirim invited me to a Machar Chapter meeting. Carpooling to meetings made it especially easy and comfortable. The ladies were all very kind and welcoming, and I made immediate connections. Soon I had a great group of friends! My mother-in-law, Aileen Barer, who served for over 50 years with Victoria Hadassah-WIZO, many of them in leadership positions, gifted me a Life Membership. I became Secretary and later Membership Chair of our chapter, worked at the Bazaar Grill and also the Silent Auction. Years later, I helped
with the Annual Campaign, and with the assistance of Rochelle Levinson, chaired the Aviva Games Day. SR: My introduction to CHW Vancouver was a Chanukah Machar meeting where l felt at home with the women and became a Life Member. Slowly, l began helping when bodies were needed: selling gift shop
items at the JCC, handling money at Bazaar, running the Annual Campaign Telethons, and phoning members to come to meetings. My dedication grew as l learned about all our projects, saw what our volunteers did, and felt pride in what we accomplished in Canada and Israel. Cont...
In Conversation with: CHW Vancouver Executive DL: I have a wonderful cousin, Kathy Folk who called me up about 25 years ago to join her for various chapter meetings. My kids were small at the time. Not long after that I was asked by her and Myra Adirim to be a co-president of their Machar chapter with Sue Floyd. SG: On January 2018, l was invited to a meeting with members of the Vancouver Leaders Assembly at the CHW Office to talk about how to include members of the Russian Jewish community. Right away, l had a very special feeling about this organization that was doing something perfectly right. I did some research and found out CHW has a good reputation with great people and ideas.
but I was asked to co-chair the campaign back when Corinne Gelfer was our Vancouver Centre President.
can make for some really fun, interesting, educational and exciting initiatives. Stay tuned for more to come...!
Over the years I have become increasingly proud of the campaign work we do. We are making such a great difference in so many lives, and this year with the pandemic, so many donors and I have had wonderful conversations. Having that chance to connect with people, to hear what’s happening for them and then seeing them give generously makes, me feel that I am doing really important work.
SG: One thing l really valued was our interview on Radio VERA with Claudia Goldman and Stephanie Rusen. They showed the Russian community that they can be treated and welcomed equally to CHW, not shoved to the back of the room but included with everyone.
SG: I have 2 favourite events: Gowns for Gowns Opening and Heroes Among Us. The Opening Luncheon in 2018 was a combination of an exciting What is your favourite/most proud fashion show while raising money initiative at CHW Vancouver? for the PICU, both of which made LB: I am proud of each and people feel good. Heroes Among every event we hold. Our Us Luncheon in 2019 was very committees work collaboratively unique, as the event honoured 3 to put together interesting and women of different ages. It was a engaging functions. The day of great motivation to get people to the gathering, whichever one join CHW. it is, is the most thrilling day and inspires me for the next event. What is something of value you have learned during your time as SR: One initiative l really enjoy is part of the Executive team? our Heroes Among Us luncheon LB: Each person brings her own where over 150 of us gather to personality, attributes, and honour women who are quietly strengths. It takes a TEAM to making a difference in the lives of generate ideas, organize, and others. It is inspiring to hear what hold an event: Together Everyone they have accomplished both Accomplishes More! in Vancouver and elsewhere. We make sure that we chose SR: Being a member of the women from different ages Executive has been enlightening! and areas of influence – from This is where you learn about the the young women beginning inner workings of our Centre, the their charitable careers, to the way we do things a certain way, older women whose touch has and of course, the budget. It is changed lives. It is so inspiring fascinating watching women to learn what a woman can do work together. Personally, l when she gets an idea! discovered l had a leader sleeping inside me who finally DL: It wasn’t so much an initiative, woke up. That was a surprise. as the CHW Annual Campaign had been going on for years, DL: Many minds coming together
What inspires you the most about CHW Vancouver? LB: All the people I have had the privilege of meeting and/or working with! SR: CHW, and CHW Vancouver in particular, fills me with pride. I am often in tears while reading my Orah magazine. The stories are heartbreaking, but then CHW is there to change their lives. CHW is a unique women’s organization that takes care of people from cradle to grave. Our hearts are in everything we do. Rock on, CHW Vancouver! DL: I am inspired by the number of dedicated women who have been so involved in this cause for much longer than I ever have and they are still so driven to make a difference! SG: The person at CHW who inspires me the most is Stephanie Rusen. I am always surprised at a meeting when l see that Stephanie does not agree with someone, but she never loses her patience and answers in a caring manner. So if this lady who has so much on her shoulders can do this, then it showed me l am in the right organization.
CHW Sustainer Recognition Sustainers* are the heartbeat of CHW, enabling changes and improving lives. Your Sustainer’s gift will lead the way and provide significant support. Help us answer the growing needs for all who depend on our collective help, showing them just how much we care. As a token of your generosity, Sustainer members receive an attractive sterling silver pin made in Israel and recognition in CHW publications.
Your generosity makes all the difference. Thank you! Anonymous, Vancouver (4) Lori Barer Bonnie Belzberg Frances Belzberg Heather Glassman Berkowitz Marlene Cohen Helen Coleman Claire Conrad Jean Cooperberg
Sylvia Cristall Catherine Epstein Naomi Frankenburg z’l Ruth Freeman Corinne & Mark Gelfer Daniella Givon Rose Marie & Leon Glassman z’l Bea Goldberg Claudia Goldman
Jeanette Greenhut z’l Helen Hoffman Lana Landa Rochelle Levinson Lola Pawer Sylvia Polsky Leyla Sacks Jane Shadley Beverley Silver-Corber
*CHW Sustainers pledge an annual gift of $1000 or more in perpetuity.
Join Claudia Goldman, Past National President, in her commitment to change lives and support our Jewish homeland during these difficult times.
Join Lori Barer, CHW Vancouver Centre President, and support the CHW 2020 Annual Campaign.
When you give monthly, you change the lives of children, women, and families who are battling hunger, a devastating disease, or domestic violence. Your generous monthly donation ensures that children receive nutritious meals and have a safe place to call home where they can focus on learning, playing, and growing. It will help heal a patent by providing access to life-saving surgery. It will support a woman with guidance and job training skills, empowering her and her family.
Contact the office at office@vancouver.chw.ca or 604-257-5160 to join!
CHW Vancouver Centre Upcoming Events Book Club It takes more than a pandemic to dull the enthusiasm of the CHW Vancouver Book Club for getting together and sharing good books. After a number of practice sessions, all our members are now Zoom mavens and we are meeting regularly. We are also looking into following up on our very successful Voice of Rebellion fundraiser with a virtual CHW Book Club event in the fall. Gardening Session We had an overwhelmingly positive response to “Scent and Sustainability� and are planning to hold another Zoom gardening session. Be on the lookout for the invitation! September - CHW Walk to Protect Children: Virtual Walk
Please stay tuned to learn about some more Zoom sessions that we will be having.
Volunteer with CHW Vancouver If you have time on your hands and are looking for something new and unique to do, join us as we embark on a novel way of programming and fundraising. Please let us know what events and activities interest you. Perhaps you have a skill or hobby and would like to lead a Zoom session. We want you and our CHW projects need you!
A Milestone Moment! Mazel Tov to Vancouver Centre Past President, Myra Adirim, and her husband, Carey, on the birth of their granddaughter, Nova James Adirim. Congratulations to proud parents Jamey Adirim and Natasha Satkunam! Mazel Tov to Vancouver Centre Treasurer, Sasha Gerson, and her husband, Roman, on the birth of their first grandchild, Elizabeth Gubbe. Congratulations to proud parents Victoria and Graham Gubbe! Mazel Tov to Vancouver Centre Past President, Kathie Folk, and her husband, Harold, on the birth of their grandson, Hayes Madden Segal. Congratulations to proud parents Alisa and Brandon Segal!
CHW
CARDS & CERTIFICATES When you send a card to a special person in your life, you are changing the lives of children, patients, and women who rely on the generosity of the Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) supporters and friends. CHW offers a wide variety of cards and certificates for any occasion! Order your card online at www.chw.ca, or by contacting CHW Vancouver Centre: 604-257-5160 or office@vancouver.chw.ca