Two members of the OJC Community were able to attend Limmud Vancouver. What a great opportunity for learning! My favourite classes included Sephardic Tradition, the Portuguese in Amsterdam, Tales of Israel in the formative years, Many Faces of Jewish Music, Songs that Nona Taught me, and Researching a Holocaust legacy. So many topics in culture, music, history, bible study………….. and so many people to meet.
Thank-you to Rena Marquez for walking on the “Coldest night of the year” – February 22 – to raise over $200 for the homeless of Kelowna. Rena was accompanied and met by other members of OJC to support her for this valuable fundraiser for the needy. Kol hakavod to Rena for her efforts.
OJC was one of 5 Kelowna Sacred Spaces to open its door to the public on Saturday, February 22nd. Sponsored by Kelowna Community Resources, a bus load of members of the public were toured by OJC members around 4 different stations: Sanctuary, Torah, Holidays and Shabbat in order to familiarize the public with our traditions and culture. Thanks to Steve Kushmier, Steven Finkleman, Evan Orloff, David Spevakow and Barb Finkleman for their help welcoming the public.
About 30 members and friends joined together at OJC to celebrate our Annual Tu B’Shvat seder. A fun event, consisting of readings, poems, songs and videos concerning the “New Year of Trees” along with all the special foods (the seven species) were included in the afternoon seder. Thanks to all who attended and especially to Barb Finkleman who created a Challah and several pastries/desserts utilizing the 7 species mentioned in the Torah.
Kudos to the OJC for manning their food booth and for dancing on stage as part of the Annual “Taste of Home” Event, where various ethnic groups promote their diversity to the Kelowna community. Great exposure for OJC. Thanks to our volunteers at our booth, Seymour, Rena, Evan, Shelly and especially to Barb for baking 31 dozen cheese knishes. Thanks to our members for coming out and supporting OJC.
What a nice way to spend a snowy, January Sunday morning by having a Shakshuka Israeli breakfast. Around 30 members and friends attended the event. Great food and great company. The breakfast consisted on Israeli Shakshuka, fresh French bread, hummus, Baba Ganouj, olives, desserts and lots of coffee. Special thanks to Ofri and Maureen Mansoor for organizing the event!
The Okanagan Jewish Community has joined the “One More Candle” project which helps to memorialize the name of a childhood victim of the Holocaust. We have taken on the memory of Annette GLEISER who perished in Auschwitz at 9 years of age. On her date of death (or during the month of August), OJC members will say the Mourner’s Kaddish in memory of Annette, as there is likely no one else available to do so in her memory.
OJC wishes to announce its Annual Bursary for students who are graduating from High School this year and intend on pursuing further post-secondary education. The applicant can be a child or grandchild of a duly registered paid-up OJC member, and has to be graduating from an Okanagan High School. $500 of bursary money is made available for the successful applicant. The deadline for submission is April 30th. Interested students are asked to submit a letter of application detailing their plans for their post-secondary education.
OJC partnered with the Kelowna Islamic Society on Thursday, December 19th volunteering at the Central Okanagan Food Bank. Volunteers helped drive home clients with their hampers filled with items to help them enjoy the festive season. Thank you to Donna Rosove and all the volunteers that helped out. Looking forward to doing this again next year.
Sunday, December 15, 2019, OJC hosted its annual Hanukah party to celebrate the Festival of Lights! There were latkes and sufganyiot, dancing, cookie decoration, crafts, dreidels to spin, lighting of the menorah, singing and visits with friends. A big thank you to Sandra Blitz for organizing the event and to Mondy Challmie for cooking up the latkes. May the miracle of the season bring light and love to you all.