Diamond Foundation makes historic gift to JWest
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.”
Diamond Foundation Makes Historic Gift to JWest
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.
We wish you and your loved ones a sweet New Year. G’mar chatimah tova.