JCCV President’s Year-End Message
December 2025
Dear JCCV Members and Friends:
My 12 years as President ended at the December 18th, 2025 Annual General Meeting when Deborah Bricks was elected as the new JCCV President.
The Centre continues to be a warm and welcoming meeting place for Jews and non-Jews alike. The Deli has many loyal customers and continues to attract new customers. The Deli receives numerous 5-star reviews on Google with an average rating of 4.6.
Jackie Columna, our Deli Chef, Viktoriia Bushuieva, our Custodian, along with Edie Reckon, our long-time Office Manager, are very capable, reliable, dedicated, and friendly staff.
Latke Mania (over 1,000 latkes were sold) and the Chanukah Gift Shop were very successful this year.
The 11th annual Victoria International Jewish Film Festival, JCCV’s flagship event, was held from October 18th to 23rd and was well attended. The films screened were outstanding and highly rated by the festival attendees. Film goers also enjoyed the prescreening live music and noshes and commented that this year’s program of films was the best yet.
The Weekly Tuesday Drop-in Mahj, Monthly Thursday Book Club, and Monthly Jewish Conversation Café continued through the year.
The JCCV website, including the Volunteer Recognition and Tribute Ecard Donation pages, were kept up-to-date. The JCCV online calendar was kept up-to-date and the Centre communicated frequently with over 500 members and friends via MailChimp.
Several editions of the “Spotlight on Jewish Culture” authored by JCCV member Jennie Preuss were sent out to the MailChimp list.
Please note that the number of events and programs we can offer at the Centre is dependent on available and interested volunteer coordinators.
The Centre continues to be used by Kolot Mayim, Jewish Federation, Jewish Family Services, Camp Miriam and Bema Productions. The building, equipment and property were well maintained throughout the year. A camera was installed in the front lobby and connected to the Centre’s security system. The Saanich Police liaison drops into the Centre on a regular basis and the Centre is patrolled frequently.
Thank you to all our wonderful JCCV volunteers:
Deli Volunteers- Rose Carr, Karen Savell, Yaaqov Ittah, Nanci Secter, Janis Silver, Willie Markson, Ricki Buckwold, Barbara Humphreys, Ralph Neuman, Billy Kettner and Charlyne Ashford
Front Desk Volunteers- Andrea Fill, Sandie Bornstein, Irv Brody, Tim Humphreys, Pam Chang and Mel Macara
Librarian- Leah Freedman
VIJFF Committee and Jury- Director Deborah Bricks, Will Banks, Yaron Finzi, Rachel Levee, Mel Macara, Jan Nolan and Yaara Nouri
Gift Shop Coordinator- Nanci Secter
Book Club Coordinators- Cyril Kesten and Leah Freedman
Jewish Conversation Café and Spotlight Author- Jennie Preuss
I would like to thank my fellow board directors who provided wise counsel and were a pleasure to work with over this past year.
At the December 18th, 2025 AGM, the following officers and directors were elected to the board for 2026:
Deborah Bricks, President
Janis Silver, Vice President
Tim Humphreys, Treasurer
Elliot Freedman, Secretary
Irv Brody, Director
Rose Carr, Director
Leah Freedman, Director
Cyril Kesten, Director
Martin Kogan, Director
Mel Macara, Director
Karen Savell, Director
We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful and dedicated group of volunteers. We could not run the Centre without them and they are greatly appreciated.
The JCCV continues to be an important gathering place for Jewish life in Victoria. The JCCV 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 Centre is now closed for the holiday season and will re-open in the new year on Tuesday, January 6th.
Thank you members and friends for your support!! It was an honour and was highly rewarding serving as President of the JCCV for 12 years.
I wish new President Deborah Bricks and the board every success in 2026.
Best wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2026,
Larry Gontovnick
JCC Victoria 