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Oct. 28, 2011
Campaign is well underway
The JI speaks with chair Mark James about this year’s efforts.
CYNTHIA RAMSAY
Approximately one month into the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver’s annual campaign, which was officially launched on Sept. 26, the Jewish Independent “sat down” for an e-mail interview with campaign chair Mark James.
JI: Where does the campaign stand now as far as money raised?
MJ: We’re very pleased at the community response to date. The response so far is at nearly $4.4 million, which is important, because this year we’re seeing a new group of community members who need help and, overall, more people who need more programs and services.
JI: How was the target set? What are the funding priorities this year? Are there any new/different programs/events that you would like people to know that Federation is/will be supporting through the campaign?
MJ: The goal of $8.2 million was set in the spring as part of a long-range strategic plan. It is a reflection of the growing needs of our community, and of the giving capacity we know exists in this community.
Locally, our community is changing on many fronts. We’re seeing a growing yet underserved seniors demographic. More working families are having trouble making ends meet, and they’re asking for help from multiple Federation-funded agencies. Lack of affordable housing continues to be an issue for our most vulnerable. It’s also pushing more of our population out to regional communities with limited Jewish resources. They need programs to connect them and their children with Jewish life. And making Jewish education accessible for all children – regardless of the family’s financial situation – is an ongoing strategic initiative. Federation is working with our partner agencies to respond to these changes.
The funding priorities are to provide a critical social safety net for our community’s most vulnerable – including our growing seniors population – to make Jewish education accessible, community-building initiatives such as outreach programs that connect families in regional communities, and programs to engage young adults. We’re also committed to programs for youth in our partnership region in Israel.
When our community comes together, we can make a real difference in people’s lives.
JI: How, if at all, have changes such as the absorption of Shalom BC and advocacy duties into the local Federation, and the dissolution of the Tickets-to-Inclusion program – i.e. changes in Federation responsibilities – affected the campaign goal(s)?
MJ: These are really two different issues.
In the case of Shalom BC, their leadership came to Federation expressing concern about their ability to continue operating with the level of funding being provided. They also shared data they had collected over the past few years, which showed diminished usage of their volunteer and newcomers services, and growing use of their website. It was determined that there was a need to maintain the web-based information and referral services, but this could be done without the same level of community infrastructure. The $53,000 that was allocated to Shalom BC on an annual basis will be redistributed to other community agencies addressing new and emerging issues. The information and referral services will continue to be offered on Jewish Federation’s website (jewishvancouver.com). Several of the Shalom BC volunteers will also be working directly with Jewish Federation to provide more personal responses to people who have unique information needs.
The Tickets-to-Inclusion program will also remain available, just in a different format. Several community agencies, including Jewish Family Service Agency, the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver and the Jewish Seniors Alliance will ensure that different groups in our community who need the Tickets-to-Inclusion program can still access it.
In the advocacy area, several separate but related national organizations were consolidated into a single, integrated, national advocacy organization this past summer and are now operating as the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. This new agency is responsible for the full spectrum of issues related to the Canada-Israel relationship, community security, human rights and intergroup relations. The restructuring enables a more integrated and coordinated response to antisemitic and anti-Israel activities, and makes it possible to present a clear and unified message on behalf of the community. It also eliminates the duplication of structure and staffing positions at the national level. The previous system was fully funded by Jewish federations across Canada, and will continue to be. With this change, federations across Canada will take on a more direct role in local advocacy activities. Within the next few months, we will be seeing the development of a new local advocacy board, with dedicated professional staff support provided by the national centre but housed at our local Jewish Federation.
JI: On the last day of the campaign, what would you consider to have been a successful campaign? i.e. Is the monetary goal the only measure, or are there other markers?
MJ: This year, we’ve placed additional emphasis on working collaboratively with our partner agencies to identify emerging needs, and develop and implement effective responses. The full engagement of 26 partner agencies is a critical factor in the success of a community campaign such as ours. Having their boards, members and volunteers work closely with the campaign – that’s a mark of everybody being engaged in making the community a better place.
JI: Why do you personally contribute to the campaign? How/why did you also become involved time-wise? And what would you say to people who are thinking, but still undecided, about contributing time or money to the campaign?
MJ: This is really personal for me. Every family in this community has experienced some type of need, be it financial, health-related, or to do with their children or another family member. No one is immune from life happening and sometimes taking a toll.
My parents instilled in me our Jewish responsibility to help the poor, the sick and the less fortunate among us, and the commandment to perform tzedakah (giving charity) and mitzvot (good deeds) – and I’m trying to carry on those traditions with my children. As campaign chair, it’s an opportunity to invite every community member to join us in living those Jewish values, and make a lasting difference by taking our community to the next level.
The following lists the beneficiary agencies whose programs and services receive support through the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver’s annual campaign:
Local partners
Beth Israel Hebrew School, Beth Tikvah Hebrew School, Burquest Jewish Community Association, Camp Gan Israel, Camp Hatikvah, Habonim-Dror Camp Miriam, Hillel Vancouver, Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, Jewish Family Service Agency, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, Jewish Historical Society of BC, Jewish Seniors Alliance, Kehila Society of Richmond, King David High School, North Shore Hebrew School, Or Shalom Religious School, Pacific Torah Institute, Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, Richmond Jewish Day School, TAG Supplementary Community High School, Temple Sholom Religious School, Vancouver Hebrew Academy, Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, Vancouver Talmud Torah Elementary School, White Rock/South Surrey Community Centre
National partners
Canada Israel Experience, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, Jewish Immigrant Aid Society, United Israel Appeal Federations Canada
Israel and overseas partners
Jewish Agency for Israel, Joint Distribution Committee, Keren Hayesod, Mercaz Ma’ase, Partnership 2000-Galilee Panhandle
To donate, visit jewishvancouver.com, click on the donation button and follow the instructions from there; send a cheque by mail to Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, #200-950 West 41st Ave., Vancouver, BC, V5Z 2N7; or call 604-257-5100.
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