Uplifting Lives
Coffee Klatch for Community-Building
A new community-building opportunity is under way at JFS. Coffee Klatch, the new monthly dropin, started this spring as a way to support holistic client care.
Listening to our clients, we repeatedly hear about the challenges of loneliness and the desire for safe, meaningful connections. Many individuals find it difficult to engage with the broader community due to financial constraints, disabilities, being newcomers, or simply feeling out of place. Coffee Klatch is designed to address these concerns!
can feel
- Mara Shnay, Coffee Klatch host
The idea for Coffe Klatch was initiated by JFS client/staff member, Mara Shnay, who is passionate about listening to and amplifying the voices of other clients. Mara approached JFS leadership with the idea and was empowered to develop and host the drop-ins with support of JFS staff.
Over coffee, tea, and snacks, attendees discuss everything from their own stories and the idea of starting a JFS walking club, to the war in Israel. The open and informal setting encourages everyone to be their authentic selves.
In addition to fostering social connection, the new program enhances both staff and clients‘ engagement with JFS programs and services. It serves as a casual networking platform where attendees can learn about available resources and find help they may not have known about. It’s also a safer space for those who might feel uncomfortable asking for assistance. On the
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SHOUT OUTS
Thank you to our generous community!
• Thank you to Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society for donating 88 pairs of mixed sizes of men’s and women’s adult high-performance Vessi running shoes.
• Thank you to the 2024 Innovators donors, attendees, sponsors, and committee for coming together for a spectacular event that raised over $420,000 for JFS programs!
COFFEE KLATCH CONT’D
other hand, hosts can gather valuable insights into program effectiveness and identify unmet needs through conversations with participants.
Feedback on the Coffee Klatch has been positive. Clients are exchanging contact information, forming new friendships, and discovering a place to belong. “I can’t afford to go to coffee shops anymore, so it’s nice to have a place I can go for a coffee, a place to sit, and some conversation when I’m feeling less introverted,” said one attendee.
Coffee Klatch is a step towards JFS’ vision of uplifted lives. Over the coming months, we aim to explore some crucial questions: What does community building look like for JFS clients? How can JFS facilitate these connections?
You can stay up-to-date on upcoming Coffee Klatch dates and other JFS events at jfsvancouver.ca/events.
CREATING A LEGACY TO UPLIFT LIVES
JFS is pleased to announce the newly established The Alana James Memorial Culinary Scholarship Fund opens for the first round of applications August 1, 2024. This scholarship was created to help individuals who wish to pursue an education in the Culinary Arts.
Alana James (z”l) passed away in February 2023 after a courageous battle with liver cancer. Ali loved to cook for her family and friends. “Her culinary skills and creations enhanced countless celebrations, occasions and Jewish holidays. It was one of the powerful ways in which she showed love and devotion, passion and creativity. Culinary creations were one of the ingredients that contributed to her strong family and friendships,” say scholarship organizers Jody Dales, Josephine Nadel, and Elie Shafran.
Inspired by the impact Ali had on those around her, her friends and family wanted to honour her memory and create a legacy that will have a profound impact and improve the lives of individuals.
The Alana James Memorial Culinary Scholarship has been generously provided by the family and friends of Mark and Alana (z”l) James through JFS for individuals who demonstrate financial need, academic skills, and commitment to the culinary arts. Scholarships will be awarded on a case-by-case method based on number and eligibility of applicants, and program costs.
This and other JFS scholarships give people the chance to uplift their lives and build new skills and futures. You can find more details on the scholarship and application process at jfsvancouver.ca/alijames.
NEW ISRAELI ARRIVALS
Since October 7, 2023, Israelis escaping war have been arriving in the Lower Mainland through Canada’s Temporary Relief Measures for Israelis, which allows Israelis to apply for open work permits of up to three years.
On arrival, many are told it will take three weeks for their work permit to be issued. Unfortunately, the backlog leaves them waiting up to 4 months. The money that they brought to support themselves for their first few weeks is quickly spent on temporary housing and other basic essentials as they wait, leaving many feeling frustrated and worried.
Q&A
Jerry is an active community member and has been volunteering at JFS for the past 4 years, beginning shortly after retirement.
Q: What is your volunteer role?
To date, 27 individuals and nine families have come to JFS for help, with many more expected in the coming months. JFS is assisting them with the basics they need while they wait, helping with visa applications and providing emergency food supports.
While JFS doesn’t have its own housing or employment services, our knowledgeable Care Managers are able to connect them with other community services for their housing and work searches. Most importantly, Care Managers are able to stand beside newcomers and help them navigate the stressful process of setting up a new life.
You can help us support our growing community with a donation to JFS at jfsvancouver.ca/difference or with the enclosed donation card.
A: I started by delivering grocery hampers every two weeks and then added a route where I began delivering hot meals every two weeks. By dovetailing my routes I was able to drive a delivery route once every week. I also participate in the special holiday deliveries: Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, and Pesach.
Recently, I’ve enjoyed my role even more because my partner, Lucia has been joining me during deliveries.
Q: What motivates you to stay involved?
A: JFS is a first class organization which makes a significant positive difference in the lives of so many individuals in so many ways. It never gets old to me how thankful and appreciative my clients are. Very simply, it makes me feel good inside knowing I have helped to brighten their day in some small way.
Q: What would you say to someone considering volunteering with JFS?
A: You would be joining an organization that is making a difference in assisting good and deserving people in our community who have experienced some very challenging times. I feel privileged to be able to help out in a small way which I sense is often a big deal to many of my JFS recipients. Their gratitude and appreciation is heartwarming. In addition, I love the camaraderie with the other volunteers and staff.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when not volunteering?
A: I love spending time with my family, Leanne, Jason, Evan, and Sammy, golfing at Richmond Country Club, and dinner, dancing, long walks, and travelling with Lucia.
Deepen Your Impact
FROM INDIA TO VANCOUVER
Consider giving through one of these high-impact opportunities: Planned Giving. Leaving a bequest in your Will is the most popular and easiest way to make a planned gift and can significantly reduce the taxes payable by your estate.
Gift of Securities. Donating publiclytraded stock, mutual funds, and options that have appreciated in value can be very tax advantageous. Donating securities directly to JFS can substantially reduce your aftertax cost of giving and empower you to further support JFS.
Donate a Car.
Did you know you can turn your vehicle donation into generous dollars to support JFS? Working on our behalf,
Donate a Car Canada will accept your vehicle for donation -- running, or not! Old or new!
Questions? Contact the Development Department at 604.257.5151 or email development@jfsvancouver.ca.
A table laid with family recipes and food traditions tells a story as rich as any novel or history book.
This was the concept that sparked the Jewish Museum and Archives of BC (JMABC)’s The Chosen Food Supper Club held throughout 2017. The event series gave guests a chance to hear the stories of the broad diversity of Vancouver Jews; where they are from, when and why they left, and how they have maintained their culinary traditions here in BC.
In 2022, JMABC partnered with JFS to bring back the Supper Club. Most recently, Eli Joseph and his aunt Esther Joseph Giffen hosted Supper Club: From India to Vancouver at the JFS Kitchen.
Eli and Esther’s family migrated from Karachi to Mumbai in the late 1940’s, escaping the British partitioning of India and Pakistan with empty hands. They made their way to Vancouver where they eventually opened a fish market in the 1970s. The fish menu served to guests reflected the colourful and aromatic foods of their family’s multicultural history.
Hosting at the Kitchen gave guests a special chance to see not only where JFS prepares groceries and meals for over 1,600 people a month--it made clear the importance of having food that nourishes bodies and souls in a culturally appropriate way.
“It was an honour sharing our grandparents/parents story. The passion we have for food and community comes from growing up with my grandparents; they always volunteered their time and shared food with the community. This was the perfect place to share their story--a tiny but mighty kitchen that shares food and love with others with similar values. The highlight for me was seeing the space filled with people enjoying the meal while learning about this wonderful space that supports so many people through so many food security programs.”
-- Eli Joseph, Supper Club host
We’re thrilled to see how food can nourish not just our bodies, but our minds and souls too. We’re looking forward to continuing to build bridges through delicious food and heartfelt storytelling at these gatherings.
