JFSA's Alexandra Gerson is the Tour Vancouver in Russian tour guide. The bus tour will visit various Vancouver landmarks, such as Queen Elizabeth Park, Canada Place, Stanley Park, China Town, Gas Town, Prospect Point, City Hall and many more. All tours are in Russian.
Tour Details:
Sunday July 18
10:30 am - 3 pm
Pick up at the Jewish Community Centre (950 W. 41 Ave) at 10:15 am
$35 per person, must be paid with registration. Limited capacity.
Registration available until July 12 at JFSA
Please Contact Irina at 604.257.5151
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
New Job Posting!
Check out the "Jobs" section of our blog. New listing posted for a Part Time Employment Counsellor!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Re-Zoning for Social Housing Projects: Part 2
Last night Laura Stannard spoke on behalf of JFSA at City Hall public hearing. She spoke regarding the re-zoning of 146 units for singles and female-led households, located at 606 Powell Street. Laura was successful as the council voted unanimously to approve all 146 units!
City staff had originally recommended lowering the height and density of the Powell Street building in discussion, which would have meant the loss of 11 new affordable homes. These homes had actually been previously approved for funding by BC Housing.
The reason for this recommendation, City staff indicated, addressed concerns raised by the Urban Design Panel, and advisory committee that gives impartial and profession advice on any proposal or policy affecting the city's physical environment.
After reading through the Urban Design Panel's minutes, Laura discovered that there were actually no concerns raised regarding the height or density of the building. Laura suggested that by reducing the aforementioned building by 10ft, the only accomplishment would be to satisfy those who are against social housing in their neighbourhood.
Laura continues to speak on behalf of JFSA on Thursday at City Hall for the re-zoning of 103 units at Broadway & Fraser which will be run by Vancouver Native Health and Broadway Youth Resources.
City staff had originally recommended lowering the height and density of the Powell Street building in discussion, which would have meant the loss of 11 new affordable homes. These homes had actually been previously approved for funding by BC Housing.
The reason for this recommendation, City staff indicated, addressed concerns raised by the Urban Design Panel, and advisory committee that gives impartial and profession advice on any proposal or policy affecting the city's physical environment.
After reading through the Urban Design Panel's minutes, Laura discovered that there were actually no concerns raised regarding the height or density of the building. Laura suggested that by reducing the aforementioned building by 10ft, the only accomplishment would be to satisfy those who are against social housing in their neighbourhood.
Laura continues to speak on behalf of JFSA on Thursday at City Hall for the re-zoning of 103 units at Broadway & Fraser which will be run by Vancouver Native Health and Broadway Youth Resources.
Bubbe's Taking It Viral!
Bubbe's taking it viral this year. Stay tuned for the infamous Bubbe and her new Virtual Dinner Party. Everyone is invited! You could even win a fabulous new iPad. More details June 30th.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Re-zoning for Social Housing Projects
Laura Stannard will be speaking on behalf of JFSA at a public hearing tonight at City Hall. She is speaking about the re-zoning of two social housing projects. One project is for 146 units for singles and female-led households, located at 606 Powell Street. The other project is for 103 units at Broadway & Fraser which will be run by Vancouver Native Health and Broadway Youth Resources
As part of the systemic housing advocacy that JFSA does, we frequently speak at City Hall to support social housing projects that come to council for approval.
As part of the systemic housing advocacy that JFSA does, we frequently speak at City Hall to support social housing projects that come to council for approval.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Review: Personnel Department Presentation at JFSA
Tuesday, June 15th was The Personnel Department presentation at JFSA. Here is a brief overlook of the main topics discussed: Entering the workforce – Current job market info, Individual and Self Assessment, Network Development, Resume and Cover Letter samples, Information about Job Interviews and Job Offers.
Keep checking in to find our when our next informational employment presentation! Or visit JFSA's Events Page.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Companion Planting - June 27th
The first workshop in the nine part Seed to Table Series, explore the techniques and benefits of companion planting. Learn how to naturally enhance your garden this summer with mutually beneficial plant species. Take home seeds and a companion planting chart from West Coast Seeds and a copy of Organic Gardening magazine! Held at Vancouver's most fascinating urban agriculture project: The World In A Garden, W. 57th Ave. & E. Blvd. 11 am - 1 pm. $20. Snacks and coffee provided. All proceeds go to The World In A Garden.
We're looking forward to learning with you on the 27th of June. Register today as space is limited!
West Side Pocket Markets
Kits House and the South Granville Seniors’ Centre will host “pocket markets” from the end of June through mid-September this year. These small, temporary markets will help to bring fresh produce closer to where people live, and in particular seniors who may have trouble accessing nutritious food. The fruits and vegetables will be purchased from west side farmers, but the markets themselves will be run by Kits House staff and volunteer members of the Westside Food Security Collaborative. Pocket markets support local farmers, increase access to healthy food and strengthen the community food system. Vouchers will be available to low income seniors through west side social service agencies. The pocket markets are being offered with the support of the Westside Food Security Collaborative; funding is provided by United Way. Pocket market dates will be posted on the web site and promoted widely. JFSA has been given coupons to distribute to those clients in need.
Summer Pocket Markets
Fresh, affordable, local produce
First Markets:
Fri June 25, 10-12 South Granville Seniors’ Centre
Tues July 6, 1-3pm Kits House
Contact Julie at 604-736-3588
ex. 24 for more information.
Please visit these websites for more information about "Pocket Markets":
Westside Food Security Collaborative
Westside Pocket Markets
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Tricia Sedgewick Invited to Speak in Ottawa
Congratulations to The World in a Garden's Tricia Sedgwick has been asked to speak at TEDxKids@TheHill event, in Ottawa, Sept.16th! For more information about the event, visit: http://tedxkids.ca/about/
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
JFSA Honoured at by Vancouver Talmud Torah Students
(left to right: VTT Student Mia Kaye, JFSA Executive Director Joel Kaplan, VTT Student Noa Gurvis)
On Tuesday, June 1st, Jewish Family Service Agency received $600 from Vancouver Talmud Torah’s Grade 7 students Mia Kaye and Noa Gurvis as part of the 3rd Annual Mitzvah of Valuing Philanthropy (MVP) presentation.
The MVP program, which was started by VTT instructor Sari Weintraub, was designed to help students who are at their Bat/Bar Mitzvah age to understand the importance of Tikkun Olam, or repairing the world. As part of their Mitzvah (or commandment), the students are to research various philanthropic agencies with local representation and then allocate funds from their Bat/Bar Mitzvah to the agency of their choice.
Mia and Noa chose Jewish Family Service Agency because, as Noa states, “ (JFSA) does, for lack of a better word, everything. You (JFSA) feed people, get them jobs, help them with family and communal issues get them homes. It’s truly amazing. I’m honored to have been able to help an agency such as this.”
The MVP program has raised around $20,000 the last two years, this year raising $18,000. Although a large part of the donations come from the students and their families, they do have major donors that contribute every year. Other non-profit agencies that were also included in this year’s giving were Alzheimer’s Society of BC, Habitat for Humanity and A Better Life Dog Rescue.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
The World in a Garden Blooms
It's seven in the morning on a chilly Thursday in May. We pull up to The World In A Garden and see it is still blanketed by a thin layer of silent morning mist.
The stalks of the kale leaves snap in my fingers as I harvest them, shaking off drops of shiny dew. A few picked leaves turn into handfuls of crop, and these handfuls grow into piles of vegetables. We harvest all that is ready to be eaten and maybe pop a few crispy broccoli flowers into our mouths.
Fresh spinach, broccolini, kale, and strawberries are among the delicious fruits and vegetables bursting to life this month at The World In A Garden, located at W 57th Ave. & E Blvd in Kerrisdale.
Lovingly located on city land along the Arbutus Corridor, the Garden reinvigorates otherwise vacant space where railcars on the Canadian National Railway used to zoom by.
Since 2007 The Garden has been producing fresh, nutritious food for community members like clients of the Jewish Food Bank. Throughout the summer we will continue to harvest the garden on Thursday mornings to share with you the joy of eating the freshest natural foods available.
Please come see the wonders of the garden yourself! We welcome you to visit and tour the garden on Wednesday June 30th at 11 am. Contact Lily Canan Reynolds at 604.257.5101 or lcananreynolds@jfsa.ca with any questions.
Written by Lily Canan Reynolds. Featured in this month's Hamotzi.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
What Every Landlord and Tenant Needs to Know: Rights and Responsibilities.
Last month JFSA hosted a presenter from the Residential Tenancy Branch who discussed Residential Tenancy Law. For more information about this topic visit: http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca/content/publications/factSheets.aspx#general
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