JWest Announces New Governance Structure and a $5 Million Gift!
Bill Levine and David Porte take leadership roles & the Cristall family makes a Founder level gift.
Today, the JWest project is pleased to announce two significant milestones in the project’s historic journey from vision to reality: the implementation of a new governance structure that will serve the project moving forward, and a generous $5 million Founder level gift from the Cristall family.
JWest represents the Jewish community's most ambitious capital endeavour ever undertaken in Western Canada. It is the result of three community institutions–the Jewish Community Centre, Jewish Federation, and King David High School–envisioning a community hub that would be bigger and serve more people than any one institution alone.
What began as a partnership between these three founding partners has now evolved into two formal boards: the JWest Foundation and the JWest Development Corp. These bodies will provide independent expert oversight of the project and work in the long-term interests of the community as they relate to JWest.
Both boards boast key leaders from the community, who represent the three founding partner organizations, as well as members at large who bring expertise in the fields of governance, fundraising, real estate development, and finance.
The JWest Foundation, a charitable organization, will provide financial oversight of the project’s costs and revenue. The JWest Development Corp will manage the construction of the campus including the new JCC, King David High School and residential towers and the ongoing maintenance of the future campus.
"Stepping into the leadership role for the JWest Foundation is a privilege," says Bill Levine, chair of the JWest Foundation. "Our dedication to this project marks a significant step forward. Together, we're shaping the future of our community while upholding our treasured value of building for those who come after us."
Bringing decades of experience in fundraising, governance, and strategic planning from having served on multiple boards, the JWest Foundation includes Alex Cristall, Diane Friedman, Hodie Kahn, Lana Marks Pulver, Diane Switzer, and Alvin Wasserman.
On the JWest Development Corp board, Jewish community members with significant real estate, finance, and community development expertise including Andrew Abramowich, Chris Andison, Michael Berkson, Alfonso Ergas, Phil Gertsman, Geoff Glotman, Mark Gurvis, Joe Khalifa, Lana Marks Pulver, and Lawrence Zimmering, will work with Vancouver real estate developer David Porte, who has taken on the role of chair.
“JWest is going to be the heart of the community and the expanding Oakridge neighbourhood,” says David Porte, chair of JWest Development Corp, “with amenities to benefit everyone across Metro Vancouver. The JWest Development Corp has been entrusted to help drive the project forward, and I am honoured to work with extraordinary leaders to bring JWest to life and ensure its success.”
The two-phase redevelopment project promises a diverse community hub with updated arts, cultural, heritage and recreational facilities, in addition to a wide range of community-based support services aimed to address some of the most important issues affecting Metro Vancouver, from adding affordable housing to more daycare spaces to expanded seniors’ programs.
The project on 41st Avenue and Oak Street begins with a new state-of-the-art Jewish Community Centre — already one of the most diverse community centres in the region, which will include an expanded Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, a new gymnasium for King David High School and a home for more than 20 not-for-profit organizations. Once complete, construction of a new King David High School will begin and include innovative classroom spaces and an outdoor playing field to further foster competitive sports. The final addition to the campus will be two towers of rental housing to serve the region.
The Cristall Family, who were early donors to the project, were pleased to see the new governance boards established. As a family, they have supported multiple capital campaigns, and understand the complexities inherent in projects of this scale.
“Jewish institutions have always been important for our community. They provide a safe place to gather across generations, and in the case of JWest, a place to invite others to share in our culture and traditions. Our family sees this as our opportunity to build for our children and for the future of our city,” says Alex Cristall.
JWest is grateful to the Cristall family (Lorne z’l and Sylvia Cristall, Alex, Jodi, Sydney, Tyler and Andrew Cristall, Jodi Cristall and Paul Diamond, Jackie Cristall Morris, Gary Morris, Justin and Ashley Morris) for their Founder level gift of $5 million to the JWest capital campaign. To learn more about what inspired their gift please see video below.