A Brief
History of Shalom BC
In the mid 1980's, National Council of Jewish Women started and staffed a Jewish Information,
Welcome and Referral Service.They
published an event calendar, and hosted welcoming teas for newcomers. They matched
newcomers with host families for Shabbat and holiday meals.However, funding cutbacks seriously curtailed the program and the service
closed.
"Shalom
Vancouver" opened in 1989 after the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, National
Council of Jewish Women, Jewish Women International and the Jewish Community Centre
joined forces to re-establish this important service to the community.
Today,
we proudly present to the community
a "store front" office in the foyer of the Jewish Community Centre.We serve the community at large, newcomers, visitors, and distant inquiries
through face-to-face meetings, e-mail and telephone.
Shalom
Vancouver Endowment Fund was founded in 1998 with the efforts
of
Janet Kolof and her committee.Its
founding members donated over $100,000 led by Judi & Len Libin and
Morris Wosk.
In
2000, the service changed its name to
Shalom BC
to better portray its scope.
Collaboration
between NCJW and Federation, supported by a feasibility study, gave rise to the
creation of the community Volunteer Centre in 2001. After extensive research and
planning,
was asked to take on the Volunteer Centre as a second major program.
Our
main source of funding comes from the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver. In
addition, we receive support from National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Jewish
Women International (JWI). The Jewish Community Centre
(JCC) provides office space and contributes services in kind to this program. Many individuals
contribute volunteer hours to the desk (daily
operation), board and committees.
In 2001,
the Volunteer Centre received a one-time, start-up grant from the Government of
British Columbia's Ministry of Community Development, Co-operatives and Volunteers.