News


The OJC will celebrate the High Holidays on September 11/12, and September 20/21.


A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN NEW YEAR

We look forward to gathering together in our sanctuary for the High Holidays.

This year we are fortunate to have a guest lay leader, Gail Golden, helming our Rosh Hashana services, and our own Evan Orloff leading Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur services.

Getting involved in the service makes the experience more meaningful!

We encourage members to volunteer for one of these Rosh Hashanah and/or Yom Kippur opportunities:

Aliyahs (open to all, please let us know if you are a Cohen or Levi)

Opening and Closing the Ark

Hagbah / Gelilah

Haftarah on Yom Kippur

English Prayers

English or Hebrew Yizkor Service Readings

We are coordinating the High Holy Days schedule now. Contact us if you’re interested in playing a part in our wonderful, unique holiday.


Gail Golden is a leadership psychologist in Chicago, where she helps business leaders to reach peak performance. Gail and her husband, Dan, lived in London, Ontario, for over 20 years, where Gail had a clinical psychology practice and Dan was principal violist of Orchestra London. Their three sons were born in London, and the oldest one, Josh, now lives with his family in Kelowna and is active in the OJC.

Gail and Dan have been involved with Jewish music and liturgy for many years. Gail attended Imun, a training program for lay leaders from United Synagogue. She was at the forefront of expanding leadership roles for women at Or Shalom Synagogue in London and was a member of their High Holiday choir. Dan founded a klezmer band, The Hot Latkes, and has performed Jewish music in many venues.

Gail is honored to have been invited to lead Rosh Hashana services at the OJC and is eagerly looking forward to celebrating with the Jewish community in Kelowna.

a rainbow-colored poster of the aleph-bet is surrounded by children's art supplies

The 2026-2027 OJC Hebrew School year begins in October. As our community changes, we hope to adapt our classes to suit our current membership. Please help us to tailor our engaging, welcoming lessons to your needs!

We invite you to complete this survey to assist us in creating Hebrew school programming that will best benefit your family. Thank you for your insight!

Follow the link below. Responses will be collected until August 10.

Dear OJC Friends and Members,

Once again, the OJC is participating in Canada Day Folkfest on July 1, 2026.

We are seeking volunteers for two different days.

First, we will need a “baking crew” of 5-6 people to produce our product in the OJC kitchen. This is a fun way to work together and provide the food sold at our booth. Time commitment will be approximately 6 hours.

July 1, we need crew to help with set up and to volunteer at our booth. We require a total of 10 people working in 3-4 hour shifts to greet the public, sell our baked goods, and answer questions that the public may have.

Please note that we are representing the cultural/ethnic group of the Okanagan Jewish Community serving a Jewish-style food. Flags and anything representing politics are NOT involved in this cultural event.

If anyone is interested and available in helping out to promote our community in either of these two ways, please notify Steven at stevenfinkleman@hotmail.com.

Thank you in advance

Dear Members and Friends of the OJC,

Our hearts are heavy as we think of the people who were injured and killed in Bondi on December 14th, the first night of Chanukah. We send our love to the families and friends who are hurting, and we keep those who are recovering in our thoughts. By caring for one another, choosing kindness, and standing together, we show our children and our community that hope, goodness, and courage are stronger than fear.

The story of Chanukah is the story of Jewish resilience; we celebrate the preservation of our identity and our historic stand against oppression. The events in Australia may have cast a dark shadow on the holiday and reminded us of the true dangers of modern antisemitism, but, like the miraculous light in the temple, a flame of hope can and will continue to burn within each of us.

This Chanukah, we encourage you to sing loudly and let your candles shine brightly! Let’s remind the world that we are here, we are strong, and we stand together as a community. Help us to share the light this season.

Wishing you warmth and love this holiday,

David Spevakow
OJC President


AM 1150’s Gary Barnes recently interviewed OJC members Jordan and David Spevakow on Early Edition. Hear about Jordan’s Bondi Beach experience on December 14th, and how the tragic events in Australia have prompted the Okanagan Jewish community to come together in solidarity.


Join us for a magical evening and fundraising dinner honouring Steven Finkleman!

Benefitting the OJC and Save a Child’s Heart Foundation

6pm – Cocktails and Mingling Magic

7 pm – Gourmet Buffet Followed by a Performance by Magician Leif David

Ticket Prices: $125 per individual ♦ $1,000 per table of 8

Click here to reserve your tickets by the 20th of October

Visit the Event Page