"We're so familiar with this building," she says. "It's ingrained in us."

What strikes Lisa, after years of conversations with community members about this campaign, is how many people share a deep belief in what the Jewish Community Centre represents, even those who haven't walked through its doors in years.

"When I'm talking to people, some of them say they haven't been a member since their kids were young," she says. "But they understand the importance of this institution to our community. Especially now, in the context we're living in — it crosses religious lines and cultural lines. More than ever, it's a very important place.”

We are pleased to announce that the Jewish Community Centre (JCC) of Greater Vancouver has transferred ownership of the 3.3-acre property at Oak Street and 41st Avenue to the JWest Foundation, a non-profit governed by an independent chair, three independent directors, and representatives from the JCC, King David High School, and Jewish Federation of British Columbia (formerly known as Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver). This gift of land places the future campus in the hands of a body that reflects the full breadth of the community it will serve.

Candace Kwinter was President of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver (JFGV) when JWest's capital campaign launched in 2022. Her husband, Alan Kwinter, spent years thinking carefully about where their family's philanthropy would leave the deepest mark. Together, they arrived at the same conclusion — that directly supporting their Jewish community and the physical spaces where they gather would have the greatest long-term impact. Today, we are honoured to share their story.

Dr. Michael Elterman, who grew up in South Africa, arrived in Vancouver in 1981 with a commitment that has never wavered: the Jewish community is worth fighting for.

Since then, Michael has been a fixture in the city's Jewish communal life — chairing Canadian Jewish Congress (now the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs), leading interfaith coalitions, advocating against antisemitism, and serving today on the security committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver. His life is defined by a conviction that the Jewish community is stronger together than apart. Underlying all of it, he says, is a deep concern for Jewish security, and for the position of the community within Canada.

At its heart, the JWest project is not just about concrete and glass. It’s about the people who fill the halls and the stories they carry with them. Every contribution to this campaign represents a personal commitment to the future of our community. Today, we are honoured to share the story of Leah Deslauriers, a lifelong supporter whose recent gift, made in loving memory of her parents, Saul and Julie Goldberg z”l, is helping turn our shared vision into reality.

Many large developments in Vancouver are built for a community. JWest is being built by one. Across the Cambie Corridor, cranes are rising — most of them backed by private developers building for profit. JWest is different. It's a community-owned project, rooted in a decade of shared vision, rising in the same neighbourhood but answering to an entirely different set of values.

As we approach Passover — a time for telling stories of journeys taken and values carried forward — we are honoured to share a bit of history about the Sacks family: Abe z’l and Leyla z’l, and their children, Paula (John), Neil (Elaine), Jeff (Dina), and David (Rhonda).

Before he passed away in December 2024, Abe Sacks made one deeply personal commitment: to name the new library at King David High School in memory of his wife, Leyla. It would be the most significant philanthropic gift of his life.  His son, Jeff Sacks, describes it as a gift rooted in love — and an intergenerational legacy.

A Community Built Together 

JWest is built on the belief that lasting impact is created together. Every gift, conversation, and act of participation brings the vision of a shared campus for Jewish life in Vancouver closer to reality. 

Our campaign is gaining momentum, and a big part of that is the people behind it. Jonathon and Karly Leipsic are two of those supporters. 

This early traction matters. This phase is not only about dollars raised — it’s about visible participation. It signals confidence and reinforces that JWest is not just a future idea, but a project advancing toward construction.

We are now entering the next stage of this once-in-a-generation investment in Jewish life in Vancouver, with $18 million remaining in this phase.

The JWest Community Campaign is officially underway with an open call to the entire community: Are you in yet?

After years of shared vision, careful planning and collaboration, we are on the precipice of groundbreaking and ready to invite you to join donors, corporations and the Federal and Provincial governments in supporting JWest. What will this look like? First, you will spot new signage in the Jewish Community Centre and King David High School highlighting the features of the new buildings. 

As we begin 2026, we’re excited to share how the progress made in 2025 is helping move JWest forward. Thanks to the dedication of our project team and the support of our community, important groundwork is now in place for the next phase.

Today, we’re celebrating a major milestone — one that belongs to our entire community. Together, these contributions brought JWest past the finish line of the $36 million Roadburg Community Matching Challenge, and the project has achieved 87% of its overall fundraising goal.

This achievement marks the successful close of the first phase of JWest’s fundraising campaign, a phase that brought together visionary donors, partner organizations, and volunteer leaders to turn a bold idea into a concrete reality.

Over the past few months, we’ve shared updates about the what, when, and where of JWest—what’s being built, the construction timeline, and yes, where everyone will park. But one important question remains: Who are the people behind this once-in-a-generation project?

This project is about more than replacing aging buildings—it’s about building community. By bringing KDHS and the JCC together on a single campus, we’re creating a central hub for Jewish life in Vancouver. This shared space will serve everyone - from preschoolers and teens to older adults and our Oakridge neighbours. It’s an opportunity to build something inclusive, connected, and deeply rooted in Jewish values and identity - something that can grow with us, as a community.

Last month, we shared an overview of the JWest project and responded to some thoughtful questions from our community. Since then, even more questions have come in — and we’re always happy to keep the conversation going.

Since the launch of the JWest campaign, the vision for redeveloping the current Jewish Community Centre (JCC) site at Oak and 41st has continued to evolve. Now, with construction scheduled to begin in spring 2026, the future is beginning to take shape — and naturally, many in our community have questions.

The JWest Capital Campaign’s philanthropic goal of raising $161 million is only possible with the generous spirit and acute foresight of community members who rally to this generationally important project. Daniella Givon and Bernard Pinsky’s gift is an inspiring example of bringing the future JWest campus closer to reality, and we are grateful for their steadfast commitment as well as permission to share their story.

The JWest Capital Campaign is thrilled to acknowledge a generous gift from Dan and Trudy Pekarsky. The Pekarskys are longtime stalwarts of the Vancouver Jewish community, and we are deeply indebted to the family for their philanthropy, which brings us ever closer to our goal of raising $161 million.

The JWest Capital Campaign Cabinet is deeply grateful to Dr. Robert and Marilyn Krell and their families, Shoshana and Shawn Lewis,Simone and Howard Kallner and Michaela and Matthew Singerman for generously supporting the redevelopment of the JCC site.

Security has always been a priority for community buildings and the future JWest campus is no different. Planning the security and safety systems for the campus began long before any semblance of a structure will be visible.