ABOUT JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER VANCOUVER

Our Mission
The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver is committed to building a strong, vibrant and enduring Jewish community in the Lower Mainland, in Israel and throughout the world by nurturing the values, practices and traditions which sustain and enrich Judaism and Jewish culture.

Federation works in collaboration with many partners locally, nationally and abroad. Our efforts are combined with other Jewish communities in Canada through United Israel Appeal Federations Canada, and in Israel through Keren Hayesod and the Jewish Agency for Israel.

What we do
Through the development of a community wide campaign, planning and allocations, the Federation of Greater Vancouver contributes to the continuity of the Jewish people, enhances the quality of life and participates in the building of a strong Jewish community locally, in Israel and throughout the world. Federation is committed to the principles of Klal Israel (the collective unity of the Jewish people) and tzedakah (the obligation to care for one another) and tikuun olam (repair the world).

Caring for our most vulnerable
Caring for our most vulnerable is at the heart of Community Affairs. To that end, we support vital programs and services provided by our partner agencies to ensure that needs are met, reaching out to the elderly, to children and adults with special needs and to those facing poverty and hunger. We provide essential funding so that so many members of our worldwide Jewish family have shelter, dignity and hope.

Carrying on the tradition
Carrying on the tradition to ensure our heritage is passed on to our children and grandchildren and to provide opportunities for life long learning within a Jewish context. We promote and advance Jewish education by providing funding for day and supplementary education programs and offering professional development opportunities for those involved in both formal and informal learning.

Our History
The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver was formed in 1987 as a result of a merger between United Jewish Appeal and the Jewish Community Fund and Council. Lois Raphael and Arthur Fouks were instrumental in bringing the community together to establish the organization. Inaugural president Robert Coleman and Executive Director Steven Drysdale oversaw the development of relationships with 14 beneficiary agencies, which grew to 33 within 3 years.

Since its inception, the Federation Annual Campaign has raised over $90 million, used to develop programs locally, support projects in Israel and provide help to Jews in need around the world.  

Over the years, Federation has assumed responsibility for recruiting and training community leadership, assessing the growing Jewish population’s needs and initiating programming to meet those needs , and strengthening our community's ties with Israel through local programming, youth travel programs, and projects in Israel. With 39 partner agencies, Federation reaches many thousands in Greater Vancouver, across Canada, in Israel, and around the world.

GET INVOLVED!
We invite you to connect to the community and participate in our future. To learn more about planning and allocations, please visit us here or phone us at 604.257.5100