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 click here to view their video.

Another year has begun, and with it comes exciting news for things to come. With immense gratitude, we share that the Roadburg family foundations, the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation and the Al Roadburg Foundation, announced a $36 million matching challenge for JWest. This is the first time the two private charitable foundations have collaborated on a major initiative, and they hope to inspire the community through the Roadburg family’s legacy. This gift marks the single largest donation given to the JWest project.

Founded in 1997, the Al Roadburg Foundation seeks to support charitable organizations across Vancouver and in Israel, responding to food insecurity, access to housing, and health care issues. The foundation also looks to assist groups that are helping at-risk youth and those with disabilities and debilitating diseases.

The Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation was established in 2021 through the estate of the late Vancouver businessman Ronald Roadburg z”l. Rooted in a strong sense of community and responsibility, the foundation engages in philanthropic initiatives in the Jewish and broader communities in British Columbia, across Canada, Israel, and around the world. Promoting transformational change, the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation looks to support populations disproportionately impacted by circumstances or inequities while also combatting anti-Jewish racism and addressing complex social challenges.

Robert Matas, chair of the Al Roadburg Foundation, had this to share:

“Al Roadburg z”l was a quiet businessman who nevertheless had a presence in many parts of Greater Vancouver. The JWest project will create a robust athletic, social and cultural hub that is bound to strengthen both the Jewish community and the broader community across the region. With the Roadburg family’s support for community in mind, we’re pleased to be part of making it happen.”

Bernard Pinsky, chair of the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation, shared this:

“Strengthening and securing communities is at the heart of the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation, and we saw this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do just that. Ronald Roadburg z”l was active in Vancouver real estate. With his vision to establish philanthropic goals for his estate, JWest is a perfect opportunity to leave a legacy in the city of Vancouver.”

Alex Cristall, chair of the JWest capital campaign, had this response to the matching challenge:

“We’re immensely grateful to the Roadburg family for issuing this challenge. When we’ve fulfilled the challenge, it will represent a profound investment in the Jewish community and the community at large. To achieve this goal, we will first be meeting with major donors across our community. Then, since this is a community-wide project, we look forward to inviting everyone to join us in creating a legacy for future generations.”

We would like to thank both foundations for their support and encouragement. This project would not be possible without the generosity of the Jewish community and the continued interest in the project.

We gratefully acknowledge the support this project has received from the Government of British Columbia, which gave $25 million. We also share our deepest gratitude to the Government of Canada, which recently contributed $25 million to the redevelopment of the JCC.

At this time of year in particular, we are reminded of the generosity that exists within our community. It’s this generosity that makes our Jewish community here in Greater Vancouver special and unique. With this in mind, it is with gratitude and appreciation that we announce a generous gift of $5 million to the JWest project from the Dayhu Group of Companies in association with the Ben & Esther Dayson Charitable Foundation, under the leadership of Shirley Barnett and Philip Dayson.

Shirley Barnett and Philip Dayson were one of JWest’s first supporters, providing seed funding early on for the project. They were pleased to see that their visionary gift was a portion of the $25 million match that met the Diamond Foundation’s historic $25 million gift to the JWest capital campaign.

The Dayson family’s connection to Vancouver runs deep, and their involvement with the Jewish Community Centre spans a remarkable four generations. In the 1920s, Boruch Deezik z”l (later becoming Ben Dayson z”l) and Esther Nemetz z”l, together with her large family, immigrated to Canada from Russia. What’s amazing about their story is that although they were both from the same village, they never met until they came to Canada.

On a chilly February day in 1936, Ben z”l and Esther z”l were married at the original JCC located on Oak St. and 11th Ave. Settling first in Saskatchewan, they moved to Vancouver in 1949. After a short time as a merchant in Marpole, Ben z"l founded Dayhu Investments, which later became a leading real estate investment development and property management company. The generations that followed have carried on the Dayson family legacy not only in real estate but also in giving back to the community by supporting causes within the Jewish community of Canada, Israel, and in the wider community. Priorities of their philanthropy have always been and continue to be for projects that support the basic needs of those less fortunate than them.

Both Philip Dayson and Shirley Barnett have fond memories of attending the former JCC as youth—particularly the dances, clubs and community meetings, all of which taught them the importance of being part of the Jewish community and giving back. As lifelong supporters of the JCC, their major contributions in the past include The Dayson Boardroom and The Ben and Esther Dayson Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Centre. In 2001, Shirley Barnett was an honoree of the JCC Gala. Now, the JCC continues to have a multi-generational impact on the family, with the youngest generation of Daysons making their own memories as they participate in JCC programs and events.

Alex Cristall, chair of the JWest capital campaign, had this response to the gift:

“The Dayson family have been pillars in Vancouver’s Jewish community for more than three generations, and through this generous gift, they have demonstrated their continued commitment to Jewish life in Vancouver. The multigenerational hub that they are helping to make possible will enhance the lives of Lower Mainland residents, and we are so grateful for the early enthusiasm from the community for this project.”

We are filled with gratitude for this gift, which will support our vision of delivering a state-of-the-art community centre, expanded space for the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, a new theatre, and in the second construction phase, a relocated high school and two residential towers that will provide mixed-use rental housing (a portion of which will be offered at below market rates). This was incredibly important to the Dayson and Barnett families, who appreciate the integration of schools, activities, support and social housing for its community benefits.

Shirley and her brother Philip had this to share:

“Fundamentally, we believe that the Jewish Community Centre plays an integral role in an inclusive and healthy Jewish community, and it will provide a welcoming social, cultural, recreational and educational asset for all to enjoy. Our family has long appreciated the celebratory and community aspects of the Jewish Community Centre. The JWest project is the most important undertaking in the history of this region, and we hope that our gift inspires others to contribute to this space that will be a critical resource for thousands of people of all ages and from all walks of life.” - Shirley Barnett

“It was the desire of our parents to support those both within the Jewish community and those outside of it. The Jewish Community Centre is not only the heartbeat of Jewish life in Vancouver but also continues to be an inclusive, welcoming place for all. We are particularly thrilled that this new campus will include much-needed social housing and that the residents of these towers will be able to enjoy the vital programs, services and amenities next door to them. We are privileged to be able to support this project at such an early stage “ - Philip Dayson

We’d like to thank once again the Dayhu Group and the Ben & Esther Dayson Charitable Foundation for their support of one of the largest capital projects currently underway in Vancouver. This project is not possible without the support of donors and the encouragement of the community. We will continue to provide updates on the campaign and opportunities for how the community can contribute to the project.

We gratefully acknowledge the support this project has received from the Government of British Columbia, which gave $25 million to the project. We also share our deepest gratitude to the Government of Canada, who recently also gave $25 million to the redevelopment of the JCC.

We are very pleased to announce that earlier today the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver received $25 million in support from the Government of Canada for the JCC site redevelopment.

We are deeply grateful for their support of our vision for a renewed Jewish Community Centre that will help address many of the issues affecting individuals and families across the region. These include access to high quality, affordable childcare, seniors programming for a growing population of older adults, arts and cultural spaces and amenities for all Vancouverites.

We have said from the beginning that this is a complex and ambitious project that would take support from all levels of government and private donors. This significant investment joins the $25 million in support provided by the Provincial Government of BC in April 2021, as well as the generous $25 million gift from the Diamond Foundation and support from donors who matched the Diamond Foundation gift. The Government of Canada’s support now takes this project to the next step.

“We are incredibly grateful for this generous support from the Government of Canada. It brings us closer to making this redevelopment a reality that will create an invaluable and welcoming cultural, social, recreational and educational hub for all to enjoy,” said Eldad Goldfarb, executive director of the JCC. “The new space is poised to be a connection point that people of all ages and from all walks of life can enjoy for generations to come, and the legacy of this redevelopment will last a lifetime.”

The JCC has long been a second home to so many in our community, welcoming people from all walks of life. It has been in its current location since 1961 and today it is bursting at the seams. As redevelopment of the Oakridge neighbourhood and Cambie corridor fuel growth in this area, the JCC is in need of a revitalized and expanded space so it can serve more people from across the region.

“This announcement is the result of efforts that spanned many years. We want to thank the Government of Canada and our advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs for their work on this,” said Ezra S. Shanken, CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver. “The Government of Canada’s generous $25 million dollar commitment will touch the lives of the thousands of people of every life stage. It is one example of the Government’s commitment to the Jewish community across Canada in Budget 2022.”

The JCC is one of the most diverse community centres in the region. It is one of the highest attended cultural, community and recreational centres in Vancouver. It is a place where families and individuals can find activities, resources, and most importantly, a place of belonging. The preservation of distinct cultural communities is an essential thread in the fabric of Canada and this redevelopment will be a legacy for everyone to enjoy and from which to benefit.

We want to thank the Government of Canada again for their support.

It is with deep gratitude that we announce that the Diamond Foundation has made a historic $25 million gift to support JWest—and that community donors have matched this gift with another $25 million! Being able to share this exciting news with you as our first update of the New Year is particularly meaningful to us.

The Diamond Foundation is leading the way in contributing to the JWest project. Their matching gift is the first philanthropic contribution to the project and is the largest donation ever made by the Diamond Foundation. Completing the match means that we are $50 million toward the JWest capital campaign target of $125+ million.

Alex Cristall, chair of the JWest capital campaign had this response: “I want to thank the Diamond Foundation for this transformational gift. A project of this magnitude will not be possible without the tremendous generosity demonstrated by the Diamond Foundation, as well as philanthropic support from the community at large. It is our hope that the Diamond Foundation’s incredible community leadership will serve as inspiration, and we are now calling on others to work with our team to champion this project in an equally impactful way.”

We are so grateful for the Diamonds’ gift, which will have a significant impact on the plans for JWest, providing an invaluable and welcoming social, cultural, recreational and educational asset for all. This is the most extensive project in the history of the Jewish community in Western Canada and it is estimated to cost $400+ million. Bringing it to life will require philanthropy, government funding and astute financing.

Gordon and Leslie Diamond, who are honorary JWest campaign co-chairs and members of the Diamond Foundation’s board, wanted to share this with you:

“We are pleased to be the first family to make a significant contribution to JWest’s capital campaign. Our family has called Vancouver home for almost a century, and we have always believed in contributing whatever we can to ensure there is a bright future for our children and their children.”

Today’s announcement builds on the $25 million funding provided in 2021 by the B.C. government.

“Mazel tov! I’m so pleased that our government’s shared mandate commitment of $25 million and a $400,000 investment in redevelopment planning has been bolstered with philanthropic support from the Diamond Foundation and community,” said Melanie Mark, Hli Haykwhl Ẃii Xsgaak, minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport. “These generous contributions underscore the importance of a renewed Jewish Community Centre to 22,590 Jews and all people living in this community. It speaks to the power of working together to shine a light on our province’s diversity and inclusion.”

We can't wait to welcome you into this new space which, once complete, will deliver a state-of-the-art community centre, expanded space for the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, double the current number of childcare spaces, expand seniors’ programming, a new theatre, a relocated King David High School and two residential towers that will provide mixed-use rental housing (a portion of which will be below-market rates).

“JWest is the amalgamation of decades of work, and the fact that we saw our gift matched so quickly sends a clear signal that the community stands behind this project,” said Jill Diamond, executive director of the Diamond Foundation. “The Diamond Foundation has had a unifying focus to assist and advocate for initiatives in the Vancouver area that help improve the quality of people’s lives. The impact JWest will have on the Jewish community and the surrounding Oakridge community is undeniable.”

We want to thank the Diamond Foundation again for their incredible generosity and for taking this tremendous leadership step for what will be a transformational project. We also want to thank the donors who very generously matched this gift. We look forward to sharing more about each of them with you soon. Until then, you can find more information at JWestnow.com.

Gifts of tzedakah made during the yomim noraim (Days of Awe) are imbued with special meaning. Being able to share the announcement of this substantial gift and its match during this poignant period in our calendar is both humbling and an honour.

Welcome to our Jewish future, JWest. A generational opportunity beyond imagining that will anchor the Jewish community on the West coast of Canada.

The momentum is building!

Read the announcements of support for the new JCC redevelopment from the Liberal Party of Canada and Conservative Party of Canada.

We are very pleased to let you know that earlier today the BC government announced $25 million in support for a new Jewish Community Centre. This significant investment by the province is a strong indication of the momentum that is building for this project, and we are deeply grateful for their generous support. We are now a big step closer to our shared vision becoming a reality!

The redevelopment is the single biggest project in the history of our Jewish community, and this is a very exciting moment for our entire community—and indeed the entire city and region. The JCC is one of the most diverse community centres in Vancouver, and the redevelopment will be a legacy for everyone to enjoy and benefit from.

We are very excited to see this project progress so well and so quickly. However, this is a complex and ambitious project and there are more components that are required for the project to keep moving forward. This includes support from other levels of government and from private donors. We are hopeful that these, too, will fall into place, and that more announcements will come in time.

In the meantime, we want to share some details about the site redevelopment, the construction of which is expected to be completed in two phases.

The first phase, which was the subject of the province’s announcement, will result in a renewed 200,000 square foot, state of the art, multigenerational community centre on what is currently the JCC parking lot. It will include expanded childcare, seniors’ services, arts and cultural spaces, and amenities for all Vancouver residents. More than 15 not-for-profit organizations are expected to call the centre home, and plans include expanded space for the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, a new theatre, and more.

Once that is completed, the redevelopment’s second phase will begin on what is currently the site of the existing JCC building. Central to this is a mixed-use rental housing project, with units expected to be offered at or below market value and be open to everyone.

With generous support from private donors and supporters of the school, King David High School will move to a new facility in phase two that will give the growing school ample space to provide innovative academic, athletic, and extra-curricular programming.

Our tradition teaches that each generation plants for those who come after us, and that is a theme that has guided this project and the community consultations in which our shared vision is rooted. This is a very exciting time for our community, as we work together, with support from the province, to build a brighter future for generations to come.

If you would like more information, a video of the announcement is available here, and you can read the media release here.

Historic Partnership for Jewish Community Centre Site Redevelopment

The Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver (JCC) and Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver have agreed to collaborate on the proposed JCC site redevelopment plan, which is expected to result in a new multigenerational community centre and a mixed-use rental housing project in the rapidly growing Oakridge neighbourhood. This partnership is the first of its kind in the Vancouver Jewish community’s history.

Should the redevelopment move forward as proposed, it is expected to be the largest investment the local Jewish community has ever made in a single project. In addition to the new JCC, the site redevelopment is expected to add new mixed-use rental housing units, expanded childcare, seniors services, cultural spaces and amenities to the city.

The organizations have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will see them work together to fulfill a shared vision that is rooted in extensive community and public consultation, and which would positively impact Vancouver residents for generations to come.

The MOU outlines a partnership in which the JCC would transfer ownership of its property to a new community entity governed by an independent Board of Directors. The JCC and Jewish Federation also agree to collaborate on and co-lead fundraising activities for the capital campaign to fund this exciting and transformative community initiative.

“This agreement is an important initial step toward acting upon the community’s vision for a revitalized JCC that would become a legacy for the Jewish community and the city,” said JCC president, Salomon Casseres. “Our Board is excited to partner with Jewish Federation. We believe that this collaboration puts the project on a strong foundation for success, from a community, financial and governance perspective.”

“An opportunity like this comes along perhaps once in a generation, so we are very proud to be working closely with the JCC on this historic project,” said Alex Cristall, Jewish Federation’s board chair. “Jewish Federation takes a broad, long-term view of the sustainability, growth and evolution of the local Jewish community, and we believe that this project will create a strong core that will ultimately allow us to increase our reach and our impact.”

The proposed JCC site redevelopment is expected to result in a new 200,000 square foot state-of-the-art recreational, cultural and community centre with new childcare spaces, more services for seniors, an expanded space for the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, a new theatre and more. The new JCC is expected to continue to be a hub for more than 15 not-for-profit community organizations, as well as arts and cultural, aquatics, and fitness programs.

The mixed-use rental housing units included in the site redevelopment plan are expected to be offered at or below market value and be open to everyone.

“The proposed redevelopment of the JCC site is a complex, long-term project that will take commitments from across the community, government and beyond to realize. We are hopeful that the necessary support can be secured to make this proposed redevelopment possible,” said Cristall.

A Diverse and Inclusive Community Centre

The current 60 year old JCC facility is accessed by a variety of different communities and is one of the leading and most diverse community centres in the area. It serves 40,000 people a year, comprising more than 300,000 visits annually.

“The JCC is a leader in providing cultural, recreational and social activities to the community, and is a beacon of diversity and inclusion for all citizens,” said Casseres. “The JCC isn’t just for the Jewish community – it’s open to everyone.”

The JCC is located in the heart of Oakridge – a neighbourhood that is central to the City of Vancouver’s Cambie Corridor Plan. Vancouver City Council unanimously approved the rezoning of the JCC site redevelopment plan in September 2018. The planning stages of the project have received support from the provincial government and private donors. The JCC and Jewish Federation will provide additional information about the project in the months to come.

Vancouver City Council unanimously approved the rezoning of the JCC site redevelopment plan, which includes mixed-use rental housing units expected to be offered at or below market value and open to everyone.

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