CHW – Page 2

A special anniversary

Children who lost family members fighting for Israel are seen attending a camp at Wizo’s Hadassim Youth Village, which was founded in 1947 to support the influx of refugees fleeing from Europe. (photo from Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia, L.10472)

Rabbi Shawn Zell remembers his Grade 10 experience vividly, even though it took place 50 years ago.

Zell, a native of Winnipeg, spent the year in Israel attending a boarding school called the Hadassim Children and Youth Village, along with 18 other Canadian and American young people. It was 1968, one year after Israel’s victory over the combined armies of its Arab neighbours, and the mood in the country was euphoric. There was unbridled optimism in the air, the feeling that anything was possible, Zell recalled.

For Zell and his Canadian contemporaries, it was a time to embrace their Judaism and create greater bonds with the state of Israel, all while getting credits towards their Canadian high school diplomas.

Zell and the others were among the first young Diaspora Jews to spend a year in Israel on a sponsored program – in their case, one organized by Canadian Hadassah-WIZO. Although decades have passed, he still keeps in touch with some of the other participants and, on June 27, most of the group, along with their spouses, children and other family members, will gather in Israel for a 50th reunion.

They will meet at Hadassim, which is located near Netanya, to have dinner, reminisce and see if they can still recognize one another after the passage of so much time.

“I think it’ll be a bunch of alter-kackers looking at each other, saying, ‘I wouldn’t recognize you,’” he said.

photo - Rabbi Shawn Zell — Rabbi Shawn Zell *(photo from cjnews.com)*

Zell, who serves as the spiritual leader of Tiferet Israel Congregation in Dallas, said his experience in Israel left indelible marks on him. Although he came from a proudly Zionist family, being in the country reinforced those feelings and strengthened his attachment to Judaism.

“I came back with Israel fever,” he said, “more knowledgeable, even more Jewish.”

A few years after his return, he took advantage of an offer to study at a new school for educators in New York and was later ordained as a rabbi. All the while, he has remained in touch with a few of his buddies from the trip. Of the 16 Canadians who were there with him, seven were fellow Winnipeggers, although he did not know any of them before he left. They were joined in Israel by three Americans.

While in Israel, the group was housed in dormitories, with two Canadians and two Israelis per room. It was a great way to meet Israelis and see the country, Zell said, adding that he still keeps in touch with his roommate from Halifax, Lance Webber, and an American, David Klein, among others.

With no parents to monitor them, the boys took advantage of the situation.

“We were doing a lot of horsing around,” Zell recalled, and their schoolwork suffered as a result. But, being on their own in a new country provided plenty of opportunity to develop their independence – they thought nothing of taking a bus into nearby Tel Aviv to wander around. On Shabbat, the Canadian kids organized their own services on campus, without adult supervision.

Zell has lots of memories of that experience, including the time the group was called to attend a Hadassah event that was headlined by former Israeli prime minister David Ben-Gurion. Zell still has the photo, cut out of a magazine he found back in Winnipeg, of he and the others posing with Ben-Gurion.

When Zell got the idea to organize a reunion a year ago, he wasn’t sure how it would turn out. But the response “has been much better than I thought. I didn’t think I’d be successful contacting people after 50 years,” he said.

Zell expects 13 of the original group of 16, along with their family members, to attend the reunion, bringing the total number to more than 30 people.

“We will view Hadassim through mature eyes,” said Zell. “We will see one another, rekindle friendships and share memories. Most of all, we will introspect as we ask ourselves how our year in Hadassim played a role in our lives.”

– For more national Jewish news, visit cjnews.com

2018 CHW campaign begins

Canadian Hadassah-WIZO’s 2018 annual campaign, Come Together, Right Now, began on March 1 in support of various CHW projects. This pillar of CHW’s fundraising efforts provides $1.5 million in support of children, healthcare and women in Israel and Canada.

CHW is a non-political, nonpartisan national network of dedicated volunteers and professionals who believe that the advancement of childcare, education, healthcare and women’s issues transcends politics, religion and national boundaries.

Over the last century, CHW has been involved in all aspects of Israeli life, supporting women, children and families around the world. CHW’s support has strengthened, and continues to strengthen, the very fabric of Israeli society.

“I can give you 161,453 reasons to be proud of being a donor to Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW),” said Debbie Eisenberg, CHW national president. “It’s really quite simple: this is the number of lives CHW positively impacted in Israel just this past year. This is the difference you made through your generous support of CHW.”

“For me, the theme for this year’s annual campaign encompasses everything that our supporters do for CHW,” said Alina Ianson, CHW national executive director. “Each person has their own reason for supporting the work of CHW, but when we come together, we make a statement about our belief in endorsing the mission of CHW.”

For information on the projects CHW supports, and to contribute to the Come Together, Right Now campaign, visit chw.ca.

CHW marks 100 years

Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) has been a driving force in the Jewish community for 100 years. Known to many simply as Hadassah, CHW has rebranded in the last decade to be recognized for its full range of activities, using its acronym to also exemplify the work it does for children, healthcare and women in Israel.

Jewish Canadians can take great pride in the many initiatives that have come from the fundraising and determination of CHW women who have helped build the state of Israel.

One of the keystone projects CHW supports is the Hadassim Children and Youth Village, located east of Netanya. Founded in 1947 for European Jewish refugee children, it is one of the largest residential schools in Israel. The school has evolved over the years to house children as young as age 6 who could not safely remain in their homes. These children live in family units, cared for by foster parents who maintain contact with biological parents when appropriate.

With the world refugee crisis, there has been somewhat of a return for Hadassim to its original purpose. As an example, because of antisemitism, more than 60 teens from France have sought refuge at Hadassim through the Na’aleh program, according to CHW national executive director Alina Ianson.

The program, she said, “is an opportunity for Francophone youth to continue their education in their native language. The Na’aleh program has become increasingly important due to the rise of antisemitism, causing many European teenagers to seek out safety and security. CHW Hadassim gives teenagers freedom: freedom to learn, freedom to live, freedom to be Jewish. CHW Hadassim gives teenagers a home again.”

Over the past 100 years, Israel has grown from the dream of a homeland to a high-tech powerhouse. Nonetheless, pressing social issues, particularly for women and children, still exist. Healthcare has changed dramatically but the need for support is arguably more critical because, while there are more life-saving technologies, they can also be quite expensive. For this reason, CHW continues to be as relevant as ever, national president Debbie Eisenberg told the Independent.

Eisenberg highlighted the CHW Vancouver connection. “Four of CHW’s past national presidents have called Vancouver home,” she said. “These visionary past national leaders include Naomi Frankenberg, z”l, Judy Mandelman, Rochelle Levinson and Claudia Goldman. Throughout our 100 year history, CHW has certainly changed the very fabric of Israeli society by supporting essential programs and services for children, healthcare and women in Israel,” she added.

Current Vancouver centre president Stephanie Rusen is proud to head an organization that has made and continues to make such an impact on the lives of people in Israel. Rusen believes that the focus for Vancouver in CHW’s centennial year is the Hadassim Youth Village partly because it exemplifies everything that CHW does right. Those most vulnerable in Israeli society find a home at Hadassim and grow up to meet their potential as active, contributing members of Israeli society.

“CHW Hadassim has been improving the lives of children and families for the last 70 years,” said Rusen. “Many of the children who come to CHW Hadassim are escaping prejudice, persecution, and even violence. Thanks to our generous supporters, as well as the funds raised at last year’s tribute gala, the Claudia Goldman Dormitory Hey at CHW Hadassim was renovated and is now home to 60 students. These children now have a safe place to call home. CHW Vancouver proudly supports CHW Hadassim.”

Rusen has presided over many local changes in how CHW operates. The previous chapter-based format has given way to an organization that plans citywide programs for all ages and interests, while continuing its efforts to fund its projects in Israel. The local annual kick-off event was held on Sunday at the Shaughnessey Golf and Country Club. Entitled “Heroes Among Us,” the event honoured three local women, ranging in age from the mid-20s to mid-80s, who have made a difference in various aspects of the Metro Vancouver community: Courtney Cohen, Lori Yelizarov and Helen Coleman.

For more information on how to become involved with the activities of CHW, visit their website at chw.ca (look for Vancouver centre) or call the office at 604-257-5160.

Michelle Dodek is a freelance writer living in Vancouver.

Young Judaea at 100

Canadian Young Judaea’s National Leadership Conference in February, which had participants from Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto and Halifax. (photo from CYJ)

Many of Metro Vancouver’s residents are from other parts of Canada. It is no surprise, therefore, that many members of Vancouver’s Jewish community are familiar with Canadian Young Judaea (CYJ). But the memories of CYJ date back even further than most anyone can recall because CYJ is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Started by 11-year-old Dov Joseph in 1910 in Montreal as a Zionist club, CYJ was officially proclaimed at the 15th Zionist Convention in Winnipeg in 1917. Within eight years, there were 75 clubs across Canada and, by 1935, national membership reached 5,000. Jews in small towns like Timmins, Ont., and Melville, Sask., formed groups and organized activities.

“There was a ken (group) in every city that had a Jewish population,” said CYJ national director Risa Epstein about the organization at its peak. “In Ontario alone, CYJ was active in Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Sarnia/Petrolia, North Bay, Sudbury, Peterborough, to name a few. In the West, you could find CYJ in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Regina and many smaller communities and, of course, it was in every small town in the Atlantic region.”

In the beginning, the appeal of CYJ was its purpose, its focus on Zionism at a time when antisemitism was rampant throughout Europe and in Canada (and elsewhere) as well. The Zionist dream was that of young Jews taking control of their fate, according to acclaimed Canadian poet A.M. Klein, who served as the editor of The Judaean from 1928-32. Klein wrote in 1931, “Jewish life, as at present constituted, with barrenness and emptiness, its utter meaninglessness, its haphazard activity, stands as an imperious challenge to Canadian Jewish youth.”

Epstein described the nature of CYJ in less fiery terms. “It was born out of the desire of young Jews in Montreal to have a group to come to and discuss and dream about a Jewish homeland,” she said. “It later grew from a city-based organization to summer camps and Israel programs.”

The camps were established as early as 1942 in Quebec, followed by Camp Kadima in Nova Scotia in 1943. Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta also had CYJ-affiliated camps. British Columbia was the last to add a camp, in 1956, known originally as Camp Hatikvah-Massada in Oyama.

After the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, the Zionist dream was realized and CYJ took steps to affiliate with youth group Hanoar Hatzioni in Israel. As a result of the newfound excitement about making aliyah, a number of Young Judaeans went to study in Israel. In the 1950s, camps were established across the country that simulated the kibbutz experience.

Today, according to Epstein, CYJ has more than 2,000 members (7 to 18 years old) from across Canada. As the concentration of the Jewish population has shifted, so have the active centres for CYJ activities. They are now active in the major centres of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver and are still operating in Halifax. Their summer programming engages close to 750 staff (18 to 22 years old), many of whom are alumni of CYJ camps.

Programming during the non-summer months is organized by age groups. The offerings include leadership-training opportunities, which often parlay into jobs at summer camps. CYJ also provides some programs for parents, alumni events and special training for program directors of the camps.

Every city where CYJ has a presence has JOLT (Jewish Outreach Leadership Training). “It consists of two meetings a month,” explained Epstein. “The first is an educational session and the second is an outreach related to the topic of the first. An example is learning about Jewish veterans in Canada and a bake sale to raise money for the veterans.” She mentioned that participation in JOLT is growing in Vancouver and elsewhere.

CYJ has an historic link with another uniquely Canadian grassroots Zionist organization: Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW). CYJ is and has always been the youth arm of CHW. Epstein said the Biluim Israel trip raises funds for CHW daycares in Israel and includes a day spent volunteering at one of those daycares. In turn, CHW provides funding for some CYJ activities.

Along with this year’s regular programming, including camps and trips to Israel with Biluim Israel, national CYJ is planning a centennial celebration on Aug. 27 at Camp Shalom in Gravenhurst, Ont. The event will run from 11 a.m.-4 p.m and is intended for families. “There will be food, camp-like activities, displays, shira [singing] and rikud [dancing]. It will be an amazing event and we are hoping that there will be over 400 people,” said Epstein.

All Young Judaeans are invited to the celebration. For more information, contact the national CYJ office at 416-781-5156 or e-mail Epstein at [email protected].

Michelle Dodek is a freelance writer living in Vancouver.

Vancouver CHW gala

In August, Canadian Young Judaea visited two of CHW’s daycares in Israel, the Sandy Martin Alberta Daycare and the Judy Mandleman Vancouver Daycare. (photo from chwblog.tumblr.com)

Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) is one of the original feminist philanthropic organizations. Founded in 1917 and on the eve of celebrating its centennial, it remains an organization unique to Canada.

Only in Canada are Hadassah International, which supports medical centres in Israel, and Women’s International Zionist Organization, which has women in the Diaspora working for the welfare of women and children in Israel, combined. They were brought together by CHW founder, philanthropist and activist Lillian Freiman.

While the history is important, CHW continues to evolve, due in part to leaders like Vancouver’s Claudia Goldman and, on Nov. 5 at the Four Seasons Hotel, Vancouver CHW is hosting the national organization’s gala in honor of Goldman, who is the outgoing national president.

CHW leadership from across Canada will gather to celebrate Goldman’s achievements. In addition, World WIZO president Esther Mor will be here as part of her trip to Canada, and other special guests will include Zev Twito, director of the CHW-supported Hadassim Children and Youth Village, which is located east of Netanya and north of Tel Aviv. Twito will share information about some of the initiatives being undertaken at Hadassim.

“In 1947, CHW built Hadassim to provide housing for orphan children who were arriving in Israel after WWII,” explained Goldman. “In 2017, when CHW is celebrating its centennial, Hadassim will be celebrating its 70th birthday. For 70 years, CHW has been continuously saving children.

photo - Claudia Goldman, outgoing national president of CHW, will be honored on Nov. 5 — Claudia Goldman, outgoing national president of CHW, will be honored on Nov. 5. *(photo from CHW)*

“For, me personally, Hadassim has been like a second home. The relatives I am very close with in Israel sent all six of their children to Hadassim and our younger daughter volunteered at Hadassim. When you are at Hadassim, you really feel the impact that CHW has had on the school.”

While Hadassim has developed into an educational centre for all children living in the region, there are also dormitories for children in foster care, a special home for teenaged mothers and their babies, and group homes run by an Israeli family for younger foster children. Recently, there has been an influx of French teenagers, moving to Israel to escape antisemitism in France. Proceeds of the November gala will support Hadassim’s work.

Other visitors from Israel coming to Vancouver for the gala are connected directly to the village. Award-winning musicians Guy and Yahel are graduates of Hadassim, and they will provide the entertainment for the evening with their brand of rock-pop. These young performers, who were Voice of Israel finalists, have received numerous accolades, including a nomination by MTV Europe as the best Israeli act.

“I heard them play in Tel Aviv and I can promise you, they are really something special,” said Goldman. “As the lead volunteer for CHW, I feel that Guy and Yahel coming to Vancouver all the way from Israel to perform pro bono is a great message for CHW members and friends. Our Hadassim graduates are giving back to CHW for the loving support they received during their time at Hadassim.”

The gala will also focus on Goldman’s successes as president.

“I believe that so much more can be accomplished when people reach out and pull together as a team,” explained Goldman, whose presidency’s theme was “partnership.”

She has worked to strengthen the organization based on what she said CHW already does well. “CHW offers the magical mixture of camaraderie, while at the same time offering the opportunity to make positive change in the world,” she said. “It is empowering to help the most vulnerable citizens in our Jewish homeland. Sometimes, the world seems to be coming apart, but when you are able to fight back by helping strengthen Israel, while at the same time making friends with Jewish women and men from around the world, it feels incredibly empowering.”

Goldman has strong feelings about her work with CHW.

“I feel very proud that, over the last two years, I have been able to spread the enthusiasm and commitment I have for CHW,” she said. “With all of the problems in the world today, I am absolutely certain that the work we do is essential and that we are on the right track. CHW is strengthening the health services of Israel, supporting Israeli women and families, and rescuing Jewish children who are living under terrible antisemitism. We are making a huge difference, improving thousands of lives. Being CHW’s national president has been a very powerful experience.”

To attend the CHW gala, call the local CHW office at 604-257-5160, email [email protected] or visit chw.ca.

Michelle Dodek is a freelance writer living in Vancouver.

Making an impact in Israel

Canadian Hadassah-WIZO’s 2015 annual campaign, “Big needs, caring hearts,” is underway in support of projects in Israel. This pillar of CHW’s fundraising provides $1.42 million in aid to children in CHW’s six day-care centres, at-risk youth at CHW’s four schools, women and seniors at CHW’s two community centres, and helps those seeking medical care at CHW’s two hospitals. In Canada, CHW supports Canadian Young Judaea summer camps.

“For me, the theme for this year’s annual campaign encompasses everything that our donors and volunteers do for CHW,” said Claudia Goldman, CHW national president. “Each has their own personal story for why they support the precious work of CHW. And, together, they make a statement about their strong belief in supporting the Jewish people by engaging in the mission of CHW, which shows what huge hearts they all have.”

Donations received through the campaign make a difference for those in CHW’s care. For almost 100 years, the organization has ensured that immediate needs are met by continually reviewing the pressing issues concerning those served by CHW projects and delivering solutions.

An example of this is the new French Na’aleh program. Youth from French-speaking countries (many times those who have faced mounting antisemitism in their home countries) have found a haven at CHW’s Hadassim dormitory school, allowing these students to focus on their studies in a secure environment. Eli, a student in the program from Paris, said, “Since being at CHW Hadassim, I no longer hide my Jewish heritage. At home, I could not go out in public with my Star of David necklace on. Here, I wear it proudly and with confidence.”

With the help of donors and friends, CHW works to improve the lives of children, women and families who are battling hunger, illness, domestic violence and other complex issues.

One additional way to support the work of CHW is to attend a mission to Israel. One such trip leaves Canada on April 20, bringing CHW members and friends to Israel for a 10-day visit. Over the course of the trip, the mission aims to provide participants with a better understanding of what CHW has accomplished in its nearly 100-year history, while bringing to light the challenges that face Israelis today. A mission highlight will be experiencing Yom Hazikaron and celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut alongside their Israeli brothers and sisters.

This is the first mission led by Goldman, the newly elected national president. Over her two-year term, Goldman will concentrate on partnership through three components: Israel, volunteers and donors. She said, “My vision for CHW is based on the belief that each child we help is a life changed. Each woman we support is a life improved for the better. Each family we impact becomes strengthened. CHW makes it possible to fulfil the dream of making the world a better place, and we will continue to reach this goal by working hand-in-hand with our partners in Israel, our volunteers and donors. CHW’s mission to Israel enables us to foster these relationships.”

CHW is a leading Jewish women’s philanthropic organization. Founded in 1917, CHW is nonpartisan, volunteer driven and funds a multitude of programs and projects for children, health care and women in Israel and Canada. With a membership of 10,000, CHW has offices in more than 40 locations across Canada. For more information, visit chw.ca or contact Alina Ianson, CHW national executive director, at [email protected].

CHW Vancouver opens in style

Sandy Chernoff, left, with honoree Bonnie Belzberg. (photo from CHW Vancouver Centre)

On Sept. 21, Vancouver Centre council of Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) held its opening event, a brunch with a fashion show and a program honoring volunteer Bonnie Belzberg. The event drew more than 120 women, who came to offer kavod (honor) to Belzberg, as well as to see the fall fashions from Stepin Out, a ladies store in Steveston.

Bev Corber, the council president gave opening remarks followed by a tribute given by Belzberg’s lifelong friend Sandy Chernoff.

photo - Babs Cohen on the fashion runway — Babs Cohen on the fashion runway. *(photo from CHW Vancouver Centre)*

According to Chernoff, Belzberg has been an ardent Zionist since her early years at Camp Biluim and as a counselor at Camp Hatikvah. Although she moved to Edmonton to earn her bachelor of education from the University of Alberta and subsequently moved to California and Seattle with her husband and young family, they found their way back to Vancouver, where Belzberg’s participation in CHW began in earnest.

She has used her organizational skills, sense of humor and people skills in the leadership roles she has taken on since her early years in her chapter, chairing the Hadassah Bazaar and as a president of the Vancouver council. Recognized as a natural leader, Belzberg ultimately rose to become a national vice-president of CHW, where she proudly and ably represented Vancouver and British Columbia.

Belzberg remains an involved, integral part of the organization in Vancouver. She continues to contribute in many ways to support the many projects Canadian donors make possible, helping women, children and funding health care in Israel.

In her remarks, Belzberg expressed gratitude to CHW for giving her an outlet for her great interest in problem solving. She mentioned the friendships that she enjoyed with the women in the organization and, of course, thanked her family for their support.

The event concluded with an eclectic group of “Hadassah Ladies” from a range of age groups acting as models for 18 different ensembles. From shoes to hats and everything in between, the women of CHW showcased fashions that included Canadian-made clothing and shoes made in Israel. Fashion show coordinator Toby Rubin described the clothing, adding interesting details about the composition of fabric, where the clothing was designed and manufactured, as well as pointing out fashion trends for this fall. Three pointers: hearts are a big motif in jewelry, grey is the go-to color this season and boots with bling on the heel match everything.

Keep an eye out for future CHW Vancouver activities, including a Chanukah party. Although CHW has traditionally been organized into chapters, locally the organization is offering events that are open to all women. Visit chw.ca/vancouver for more information.

More Than Just Mrs. exhibit online

NCJW members unload boxes of toys headed for Israel as part of the Ship a Box to Israel program launched by NCJW Tikvah branch, Vancouver Harbor, 1947. (photo from JMABC L.11998)

Much of the work of Jewish women in Vancouver has occurred, both historically and still today, behind the scenes. The Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia is trying to change that with its online exhibit, More Than Just Mrs. Accessible at morethanjustmrs.wordpress.com, the exhibit discusses the history of the National Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) and Na’amat, the three predominant Jewish women’s organizations mid-century. It includes audio clips from local women who worked for these organizations and focuses exclusively on the work of the B.C. chapters.

“We’re trying to raise awareness of the Jewish community in B.C. and its history,” said Michael Schwartz, coordinator of development and public programs at JMABC, located in the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture in Vancouver. “When it came to these chapters of the organizations, I knew a few of the stories but wanted to fill in the gaps and learn more. I thought we should look at the organizations in greater detail, at the differences in their philosophies and the influential women who worked for them.”

The website has an introduction and then individual sections on each of NCJW, Hadassah and Na’amat, each one containing letters, certificates and other historical material relevant to the work the organizations performed. There are a total of six audio clips online but those who want to hear entire interviews may visit the Jewish museum offices to listen to them.

The exhibit offers a fascinating glimpse into Jewish life in Vancouver in the 1940s and ’50s: its fashions, the organizations’ priorities and their fundraising strategies. These women were professional volunteers, individuals who were not content to be “just Mrs.,” and insisted on devoting their time and talents to improving and meeting the needs of their local communities and communities in Israel and elsewhere. The name for the exhibit was drawn from an interview with one of the volunteers some 20 to 30 years ago, wherein she mentioned the phrase, “More than just Mrs.,” adding that, for her, doing this volunteer work was an opportunity to step out of her husband’s shadow.

NCJW supported an orphanage in Holland, for example, sending regular shipments of food and clothing to the aid of the 220 destitute war orphans being cared for in Bergstichting. The exhibit includes a letter from the orphanage dated April 1947, describing the difficult conditions at the orphanage. “The physical condition of our pupils being still rather week [sic], we had to fight with a scarlatina [scarlet fever] epidemic during five months,” wrote the director. “Sixty of our people were taken with this illness. But fortunately, your valuable gifts reached us just in those distressful months.”

The online exhibit was launched in September 2013 and some 2,500 people have visited the site since it was launched. Schwartz estimates it takes 60 to 90 minutes to read the material, which was produced by Annika Friedman last summer with the aid of Young Canada Works, a granting program subsidized by the federal government. Schwartz said another online exhibit is being produced this summer under the same program. Called Oakridge: The Final Frontier, it will chart the rise and decline of the Jewish community in the neighborhood. Elana Wenner, a master’s candidate in Jewish studies at Concordia University, will be interviewing community members and gathering photographs, videos and other relevant materials for the new exhibit. To contribute and for more information, Wenner can be reached at [email protected].

Lauren Kramer, an award-winning writer and editor, lives in Richmond, B.C. To read her work online, visit laurenkramer.net.