Community Leaders Bringing JWest to Life

“It’s inconceivable to imagine our community without a JCC." - Daniella Givon

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.

Both joined the Jewish Community Centre (JCC) immediately after settling in Vancouver in 1979. Daniella, who grew up in  Israel, found friendship and community by joining Israeli Folk Dancing and becoming involved with Canadian Hadassah-Wizo. Bernard, a successful lawyer who grew up in Winnipeg, got to know the JCC by working out in its gym. 

He noticed how JCC activities and just being around the JCC brought community members together in meaningful ways that sparked and fostered increased community participation. “I realized that the JCC is a critical connector and gateway to deeper involvement in the Jewish community,” he said. 

Bernard began his local volunteer work with the Canadian Jewish Congress in 1981 and over the ensuing 44 years, served in leadership roles for many Jewish organizations, including Jewish Federation, CIJA's national board and Beth Israel Synagogue. Today he is board chair and director of the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation, one of the lead donors to JWest. Daniella served as Vancouver regional president for Canadian Hadassah-Wizo and took leadership roles in the Jewish Museum and Archives and the Jewish Book Festival. Both feel deeply about actively volunteering in the community, a commitment that continues to this day.

Daniella Givon and Bernard Pinsky

Bernard and Daniella, children of Holocaust survivors, continue a legacy of community involvement in their respective families. Daniella was inspired by her mother’s many years of leadership in the PTA of her Israeli school and her grandfather’s participation as a board chair of his Moshav’s governing council. Bernard recalled how his grandfather headed the Zionist Federation of Manitoba among other leadership positions.

“It’s inconceivable to me to imagine our community without a JCC, and our building is tired,” Daniella noted. “A tired, crowded building attracts a limited number of people.” Bernard agreed that the JCC is in dire need of replacement. “Right now things are squeezed into pre-set spaces that restrain increased participation,” he noted. “The new JWest will have more space for Jewish organizations, flex spaces for more programming and an expanded daycare. We’ll be able to offer more programs that attract young families, which is a crucial way to build for the future.”

“And it’s not just the Jewish community that uses and will continue to use this important facility,” he said. “Former BC Premier Christie Clark sent her son to the JCC daycare,” Bernard recalls. “I became friends with Terry Yung, who is a current MLA, and his wife, Sarah Kirby-Yung, a city councillor, because we met at the JCC. They’ve been very connected to and helpful for the Jewish community.”

Thank you, Daniella and Bernard, for your commitment to community and contributing to the vision of our new campus. With just $19 million left to raise to achieve the $161 million target, JWest is poised to break ground in early 2026.

The new Jewish Community Centre courtesy of Acton Ostry Architects.

JWest recently submitted its development permit application with a new JCC as pictured above. In line with our guiding principle, a smart and responsible use of precious community funds, the design maximizes efficiency, with an increased number of multi-purpose spaces. For example, the JCC auditorium and theatre have been combined and will feature a state-of-the-art, automated, retractable seating system. Operating as a true campus, the JCC and King David High School will be more integrated with greater cross-sharing of spaces.