I hope that like me, you are still basking in the beauty of the Passover seders shared with family and friends over the first two days of the holiday. I love the seders. I love the gathering and the preparations, the symbols and the songs, the traditions and the memories, but most of all, I love the story. I love that the whole seder is the act of story-telling, the telling and retelling of the story of faith and freedom, that took us from oppression to becoming a free people on our way to our own land.   

Just a few weeks ago, we had a different night of storytelling at our second annual Power of Change event. On that night, rather than the ancient retelling of the story of a people, we heard first-hand, the moving accounts of three people who have been touched by the work of Ve’ahavta – what brought them, what they gained, and where they are now. Although each story was so different, I was deeply moved and inspired by all of them, and I want to share a few snippets with you here.   

There was Fadekemi’s story. A refugee who fled persecution in Nigeria, she found herself living in a homeless shelter in Toronto with her two young daughters, with no idea how to rebuild her life.  “Through Ve’ahavta, I gained things one could never gain in school – things some people are lucky enough to get from their parents, caregivers, and communities – things like motivation, resilience, and self-awareness. When you lack something and you find someone to give it to you freely, without you even asking, it’s an amazing feeling – one that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Through Ve’ahavta I was able to move through my trauma. They taught me how to come to terms with my life story but not let it define me, and then they helped me make a plan to move past my past – a plan that would make something beautiful out of something dark and difficult.” Beaming, Fadekemi shared that she is now a Permanent Resident, working as a PSW while she pursues her dream career in supply chain management. 

Then there was Vivek – A dentist who suffered a mental health crisis and found himself out of work and unable to find his way.  “Ve’ahavta is a place, an oasis where I was given the tools to nurse my mental wellbeing. There were no judgements there. No matter who you are or where you came from, you are welcome. There was care, love, and acceptance – something I hadn’t felt for a long time. Ve’ahavta has become my adoptive family. What was it about Ve’ahavta that set them apart? It was their quiet steadfast approach – which I now understand is very much the ‘Jewish way’. The Ve’ahavta staff work hard for what is right and just, and in the service of others. There is no fanfare in their approach, just hard work and dedication, with a sense of passion and purpose – and a strong desire to simply ‘do good’.  It is a work ethic I take with me and practice daily.” Today, Vivek is a lecturer at U of T’s Medical School and School of Dentistry where he told me he teaches his students the things he learned at Ve’ahavta.  

Our last speaker of the night was Nathan from United Bakers Dairy Restaurant who shared how his experience as a long-time volunteer and donor brought not just fulfilment and connection to his life, but also nachas – joy.  “Why do I believe in Ve’ahavta? Ve’ahavta is an organization that makes an impact. It’s an organization that translates your time, energy, and donations into direct action. Don’t believe me? Volunteer on the van and you’ll see. Don’t believe me? Speak to any of their program participants and hear how Ve’ahavta’s workshops have helped them secure meaningful employment. Don’t believe me? Read their financial statements online and see how nimble and effective they are.” 

On that night, as I absorbed and contemplated what each speaker was saying, I felt a rush of what can only be described as humbled pride. I am deeply humbled by the fortitude, the resilience and the love that I see emanating from our clients, volunteers and donors, and I am intensely proud to be part of a community that creates, supports and makes possible this life-changing work.    

In a world filled with conflict, inequality and injustice, Ve’ahavta offers a window into how things should be – how we hope they will be. Where everyone plays a role in helping to solve the world’s biggest problems, where the help that is offered addresses the needs of the whole person – body, mind and soul, and where we all join together and succeed in making the world a better place.  

On this Passover holiday I want to thank you for being a part of Ve’ahavta. I wish you and your loved ones Chag Pesach samech, Happy Passover! 

Cari Kozierok,
CEO, Ve’ahavta