This summer certainly reconfirms how important Shalom BC is to British Columbia's newcomers and long term residents alike. Newcomers from all over the world are welcomed and oriented to the BC Jewish community by Shalom BC.

In July alone, we logged over 450 inquiries by phone and in-person interviews. Our requests ranged from the Richmond woman who needed a mezuzah, to a TV company asking about proper attire at a Jewish wedding, to a non-Jew asking what one sends to a Jewish funeral. There were also calls for information on out-of-town facilities – such as kosher eating places in Banff and Jasper and a Hebrew Day School in Calgary. All these, in addition to the many calls we get for Kosher restaurants, home hospitality and students seeking inexpensive accommodations.

Shalom BC was invited by Yad b’ Yad, the Coalition on Poverty, to provide a training workshop this summer for volunteers of their new and exciting West End outreach project. Laura Moscovitz, Shalom BC’s executive director, had the pleasure of working with the volunteers who will act as valuable ‘ambassadors’ to our Jewish community and to help Jewish people connect in the West End area. These volunteers are residents of the West End and will be offering ongoing greetings, gatherings and event information.

Shalom BC is hard at work on the next edition of their bi-annual publication, ‘The Guide to Jewish Life in British Columbia” The 56-page book, with an attractive colour cover, is described as a publication to assist in easily finding what you need to enhance the quality of your Jewish communal life. The book lists al the organizations, schools and synagogues operating in Jewish British Columbia, complete with the names of officials, phone numbers, mailing addresses, fax numbers and email addresses. Feel free to contact us at jewishlifeguide@yahoo.ca about new or changed entries as well as advertising and donation opportunities.

Shalom BC volunteers, board members and staff continue to rise to the occasion whatever the request. Shalom BC exists with continued support from our community and we continue to value the ongoing support of our consortium members; Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver * Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver * National Council of Jewish Women, Vancouver Section * Jewish Women International Of Canada, BC Chapter * and B’nai B’rith Lion’s Gate Lodge # 668.