The Gift That Grew: Lisa Pullan on Building Community From the Inside
Lisa Pullan has been an active member of Vancouver's Jewish community for as long as she can remember, through her involvement with the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, the Jewish Community Foundation, Vancouver Talmud Torah, King David High School, and the JWest Capital Campaign Cabinet. When she and her husband, Brent, made their first donation pledge to the campaign, it felt like a natural extension of a lifelong commitment. A year later, they doubled it. This is the story of what inspired that decision.
Lisa and Brent Pullan
A Lifelong Connection
Lisa was born and raised in Vancouver, and the Jewish Community Centre was part of her DNA from the beginning. Throughout her childhood, she attended day camps, swimming lessons, and youth groups. When she had daughters of her own, they did the same: day camps, swim lessons, and years in the dance and Israeli dance programs.
"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.”
For Lisa, that sense of connection has always extended beyond a single institution and across generations. When King David High School opened a new building in 2005, her eldest daughter, Jessica, was part of the school’s first Grade 8 class in the new building.
"Look at it now," she says. "We've outgrown that building, which is an incredible reflection of its success."
The Gift — and the Decision to Give More
Lisa and Brent made an early pledge to the JWest campaign. Having spent years involved in fundraising for community organizations, Lisa understood what early gifts represent, the confidence they build, and the momentum they create. "We wanted to put a stake in it," she says.
The decision to give again wasn't a single moment so much as a growing conviction — watching major gifts come in, seeing the vision take shape, and feeling the momentum of a campaign that was becoming real. And then came October 7, 2023.
Lisa and Brent’s younger daughter, Sari, had been living in Israel, and was there when the attacks happened. The experience — the fear, the uncertainty, the reminder of what community means when it’s tested — sharpened everything. "After October 7, we knew even more clearly that we needed to invest in our community for today, but also making sure that we are creating spaces for future generations,” Lisa says.
So, one year later, they decided to double their gift as part of that investment.
Three Generations, and Counting
Lisa and Brent’s daughters are now in their 30s. There is one grandchild with another on the way. When Lisa pictures them walking onto the new campus one day, her hopes are clear.
“This will now be three generations of people using the new Jewish Campus, and I hope it holds the same incredible memories for them as it does for us. I hope the campus is a fun place, and a safe space where they can meet new people, enjoy fun activities, learn about the holidays, and participate culturally. I am excited about that.”
One Gift at a Time
Lisa's message to anyone still on the sidelines: “Significant gifts from supporters like the Diamonds, the Roadburgs, and our government partners make a tremendous difference, but I truly believe that every gift matters.”
She goes on to add: “When people step up and want to be part of something together, it's an incredible thing. This is a building for the community, and it’s not made with a handful of gifts — it's made with every donation that comes in."
With just under $13 million remaining, now is the moment to add your gift. If you’ve ever visited the JCC, sent a child to King David, attended a program, or simply believed in what these institutions represent, a gift to the future campus is a gift to these organizations. You are ensuring their futures and providing the opportunities that Lisa mentions for generations to come.
To learn more about ways to give, contact info@jwestnow.com or call 604-808-2440.
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The JWest project would not be possible without the generous funding from the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the Diamond Foundation, and the Ronald S. Roadburg and Al Roadburg Foundations, as well as the steadfast support of the Jewish community and its allies, and the valuable contributions of the Vancouver residents who use the current Jewish Community Centre.