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July 4, 2008
Burquest looks to Reform
Growing outlying community seeks a new affiliation.
NICOLE NOZICK
In an overwhelming majority vote, the Burquest Jewish Community Centre recently decided to seek Reform affiliation. The community hopes that this strategic move will better serve its unique community, increase Burquest's profile and bolster membership.
Burquest president Sharon Sheppard explained that the new affiliation will play a crucial role in the centre's outreach activities, as well as give much-needed educational and programming resources that will greatly benefit the community. There were also other reasons for the recommendation to seek affiliation with the Reform movement. Sheppard explained further that, "Affiliation with the Reform movement is in sync with Burquest's long-standing philosophy of egalitarianism, diversity and welcoming interfaith partners as members."
The Burquest Jewish Community Centre is a thriving and warm Jewish environment located in Coquitlam. The centre offers a spiritual home for Jewish families living in New Westminster, Burnaby, Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam, as well as Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Abbotsford and Mission. This vast area east of Vancouver is home to approximately 3,000 identifying Jews, according to Statistics Canada. Established more than 35 years ago, the Burquest (Burnaby-Coquitlam-New Westminster) JCC is the only Jewish organization in this area. In fact, it is the only Jewish organization between Vancouver and Kelowna. Although technically a "community centre," Burquest is much more than that – it holds worship services throughout the year, has numerous cultural activities, including seniors lunches and Israeli dance classes, and it hosts a vibrant Sunday Hebrew school program for both youth and adults.
Interfaith is a big issue for Burquest, as it is for many Jewish communities in North America.
Approximately 30 per cent of Burquest's membership base comprises families where one partner is not Jewish, with possibly more in the prospective membership pool. Sheppard said that, "For us, the focus is about raising Jewish children with a strong, positive identity so that when they grow up they'll raise their children Jewish. You can't do that if you don't welcome and involve both parents. Our Sunday Hebrew school program has put a lot of emphasis on involving the entire family. Our hope is that the Reform affiliation will attract even more young families (both intermarried and not) to our community."
"The move to affiliate with the Reform movement has been under discussion for a while," said Stewart Levitt, immediate past president of the Burquest board of governors. "When we looked at the demographics of our community, it was clear that this was the right fit."
Over the years, Burquest community leaders have found that the question of affiliation has become more prevalent. This may be due in part to Burquest operating as both a community centre, as well as a place of worship, with religious services led by Cantor Steve Levin.
"The benefits of this affiliation are substantial," said Levitt. "The URJ [Union for Reform Judaism] is a little more open to accepting interfaith couples, and now it will be possible for non-Jewish spouses to be active on the board. Over the years, there have been some prominent non-Jewish members who have been significant contributors to Burquest. We want to ensure that we are as inclusive as possible."
The additional resources offered by the URJ will make a difference for a small community like Burquest. These resources include access to school curriculum for the Sunday Hebrew school, fundraising support and campaigns, as well as direct access to professionals to help with outreach and growth. Burquest will join the list of 900 URJ affiliate congregations in North America.
Emily Tepper, a longtime member of the community, lives with her young family in Maple Ridge. "We really feel at home and very comfortable at Burquest. I'm excited about raising my son here because I know he'll grow up with a strong, positive Jewish identity in a community with other young children he can relate to."
Nicole Nozick is a Vancouver freelance writer.
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