The JCCV will be closed for Rosh Hashana on Tuesday, September 23rd and Wednesday, September 24th and will reopen on Thursday, September 25th.
With his dying breath, Lena’s father asks his family a cryptic question: “You couldn’t tell, could you?” After his passing, Lena stumbles upon the answer that changes her life forever.
As her revolutionary neighbor mysteriously disappears during Josef Stalin’s Great Terror purges, 18-year-old Regina suspects that she’s the Kremlin’s next target. Under cover of the night, she flees from her parents’ communal apartment in 1930s Moscow to the 20th century’s first Jewish state, Birobidzhan, on the border between Russia and China. Once there, Regina has to grapple with her preconceived notions of socialism and Judaism while asking herself the eternal question: What do we owe each other? How can we best help one another? While she contends with these queries and struggles to help Birobidzhan establish itself, love and war are on the horizon.
New York Times Bestselling author Alina Adams draws on her own experiences as a Jewish refugee from Odessa, USSR as she provides readers a rare glimpse into the world’s first Jewish Autonomous Region. My Mother’s Secret is rooted in detailed research about a little known chapter of Soviet and Jewish history while exploring universal themes of identity, love, loss, war, and parenthood. Readers can expect a whirlwind journey as Regina finds herself and her courage within one of the century’s most tumultuous eras. Her full biography can be found at alinaadams.com.
Please click on the ‘Register’ button below to register for this free live book talk.
This is a free live book talk brought to you by Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) and the Jewish Community Centre of Victoria (JCCV) .
The JCCV wishes you and your mishpocha a happy, hopeful and safe Passover (Pesach).
“May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” Peter Marshall
The JCCV Deli will be closed for Passover from Tuesday, April 15th to Friday, April 18th and will reopen on Tuesday, April 22nd.
In celebration of the Jewish holiday of Purim, home-made Hamentashen will be on sale at the JCCV Lox, Stock and Bagel Deli on Tuesday, March 11th until they are sold out. $10.00 per half-dozen package of Hamentashen. No preorders.
The Deli is open Tuesday to Friday from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
Purim begins on the evening of Thursday, March 13th and ends on nightfall, Friday, March 14th.
The Jewish Community Centre of Victoria (JCCV) is seeking a director to join the board now and who will stand for President at the December 2025 Annual General Meeting. The current President, Larry Gontovnick, will be stepping down from the board at the December 2025 AGM after serving as President for 12 years.
The JCCV is an important Jewish facility on south Vancouver Island. The Centre is a place in Victoria where any and all Jews can come together to celebrate and enjoy their Jewish heritage whatever their affiliation or level of religious observance.
The JCCV is a charitable, multifaceted, non-profit organization providing educational, recreational, cultural and social programs for the Jewish community and the general public. Everyone is welcome. The Centre houses a deli, gift shop and library. Programs and events include webinars with Guest Speakers, Jewish Conversation Café, Drop-In Mahj, Book Club, Israeli Dance, and an annual Jewish Film Festival. The JCCV is home to Jewish Federation, PJ Library, Jewish Family Services, the Kolot Mayim Reform Temple, and also provides a location for the Victoria Jewish Theatre (Bema Productions) to hold their auditions and rehearsals. The Centre also hosts other Jewish organizations, such as Hadassah-WIZO and Camp Miriam, for meetings and events.
The President provides strategic direction, chairs the board, and ensures the fulfillment of the JCCV’s mission. We are seeking a committed leader to help shape the JCCV’s future and strengthen its impact, an individual who is passionate about community building, is a strong communicator and team player, and is experienced in governance, fundraising or event planning.
If you are interested or wish to nominate someone, please contact Larry Gontovnick at larrygontovnick@shaw.ca or 250-857-4570.
The JCCV Chanukah Gift Shop opens Tuesday, November 26th and is well stocked with all your Chanukah shopping needs; chanukiahs (candle and LED), fancy and traditional candles, dreidels, chocolate gelt, decorations, kids games and toys, books, cards, and lots more.
Shop early to take advantage of the best selection before items are sold out!!
The Chanukah Gift Shop is open Tuesday to Friday from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
The Chanukah Gift Shop will also be open on the following days from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm:
Sunday, December 1st
Sunday, December 8th
Sunday, December 15th
Sunday, December 22nd
Monday, December 23rd
Tuesday, December 24th
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LATKE MANIA (Take-Out only) Starts Tuesday, December 3rd
Potato Latkes (Take-Out only) will be the only item available from the Deli during LATKE MANIA, from December 3rd to 20th.
Large Potato Latkes (no condiments) at $3 per Latke
LATKE MANIA Take out hours are Tuesdays to Fridays from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. No other Deli menu items will be available, and the dining area will be closed, during the three weeks of LATKE MANIA.
The Deli will close on Friday, December 20th for two weeks and will reopen on Tuesday, January 7th with the full menu to dine in or take out.
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The 1st Chanukah candle is lit on the night of Wednesday, December 25th.
The 8th and last Chanukah candle is lit on the night of Wednesday, January 1st.
The JCCV wishes you a very Happy Chanukah.
The JCCV will be closed for Rosh Hashana on Thursday, October 3rd and Friday, October 4th and will reopen on Tuesday, October 8th.
JCC Victoria 