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June 11, 2004
NCJW is a shining light
Organization contributes to community for 80 years.
MARION POLIAKOFF SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
Sunday, May 30, was National Council of Jewish Women, Vancouver
Section Day. The special day was proclaimed by Vancouver Mayor Larry
Campbell to recognize NCJW's eight decades of innovative programming
and pioneering services to the Jewish and general communities.
To celebrate the occasion, local dignitaries and NCJW members and
supporters celebrated with a gala reception at the Terminal City
Club on May 30. Coun. Fred Bass read the mayor's proclamation, which
was preceded by the blowing of the shofar by Roberta Lavigne.
Janet Kolof was the emcee for the program, which featured an audio
visual look at Vancouver section's history as compiled by Catherine
Youngren, president of the Jewish Genealogical Institute of B.C.
A lighter perspective was provided by the New Age Nifties, a seven-member
troupe of council women who parodied the countless hours of volunteer
service, with musical direction by Jeannie Corsi and Alisa Kort.
Roz Fine of Toronto, NCJW of Canada national president, brought
greetings, as did local president Bonnie Gertsman and convenor Linda
Arato. Guests attending from organizations with which NCJW has worked
closely included David Berson, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver
director of planning and community development. NCJW supplied the
funds for the Yad b'Yad Coalition on Poverty video on Jewish poverty,
Am I still a Jew to You?, and is currently supporting the
group's outreach efforts in the West End.
A congratulatory message from JFGV said in part: "The tireless
efforts of generations of women in your organization have been guided
by one light that has always shone for them – to make a difference
in the lives of others and to have an impact upon the Jewish community.
Through your mentoring, consultation, guidance and hands-on involvement,
you have made a lasting impact upon our community."
Lighting the eight candles on the birthday cake were Fine, former
Vancouver section president Doris Gould (1958-59) and Vancouver
section cookbook maven Sue Abramson, as well as the daughters of
early members in memory of their mothers: Roberta Beiser for Edith
Lando, Carol Kline for Charlotte Boyanner, and Lois Stark for Thelma
Ginsberg. Looking to the future, candles were lit by two members
of NCJW's youngest group – Rhea Lazar and Diana Schachter.
Council's history began in March 1924, when 24 women formed the
Vancouver branch and set out to fill what they saw as unmet community
needs, such as the first Sunday morning religious school that continued
until the founding of the Beth Israel Synagogue in 1932; a neighborhood
house on Jackson Avenue that was replaced by the Jewish Community
Centre at 11th and Oak; a free well baby clinic, where Dave Barrett's
mother brought the future B.C. premier to be weighed; free classes
in English and becoming Canadian; a noodle factory where immigrant
women could earn a few dollars; a summer camp for girls that eventually
became Camp Hatikvah; and finding jobs and housing for refugees
from Europe.
Child welfare has always been a major concern, with preschool services
on Vancouver's East Side dating back to 1965. A screening program
for hearing defects in young children began in 1973, leading to
the Mobile Hearing Clinic currently operated by the Vancouver Coastal
Health Authority. Today, NCJW sponsors HIPPY (Home Instruction for
Parents of Preschool Youngsters) at Britannia Community Centre,
along with Britannia and Simon Fraser University. It also donates
clothing and books to Vancouver's inner city schools through its
Operation Dress-Up and Books for Kids projects.
A Golden Age Club was started in 1950 at the JCC, one of the earliest
in Canada. Other landmarks in NCJW's 80 years of service include
sponsorship of the Jewish Historical Society of B.C., L'Chaim Adult
Day Care and Shalom BC. A focus on women's health produced genetic
disease testing clinics and breast self-examination programs. NCJW
has produced seven cookbooks, dating back to 1932, all of them phenomenally
successful, including the current Bubbe's Kitchen.
Marion Poliakoff is a retired social worker, journalist
and National Council of Jewish Women Vancouver board member.
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