Who we are
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Burquest Jewish Community Association is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to the cultural, social, and education needs of the Jewish population in the Tri-Cities and Fraser Valley Areas of British Columbia, Canada. We are members of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver.
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We have built a community based on inclusiveness. Everyone is welcome, regardless of age, marital status, sexual orientation, a Jew by birth or by choice or within multi-faith marriages.
If you are living in or relocating to the eastern suburbs of Vancouver or the communities of the Fraser Valley, you'll want to know more about the Burquest Jewish Community Association. Burquest provides the opportunity to be part of a larger Jewish community, to meet Jews from diverse backgrounds, and to enjoy the richness of all aspects of Jewish life.
We offer a variety of programs aimed to keep our Jewish heritage alive and strong at the Burquest Jewish Community located in Central Coquitlam, on Dewdney Trunk Road near Mariner.
Our members come from the Burnaby, Tri-Cities area, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and as far east as Chilliwack in the Fraser Valley.
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Come meet your neighbors!
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This original film outlines the organization’s genesis in 1974, the origin of the name ‘Burquest”, and describes activities in subsequent decades, including fund raising in the mid 1990s, the purchase of the Burquest Jewish Community Centre in 2001, the development of religious services, and thoughts on future directions for the community. It includes reminiscences from founders Max Jacobson and Bill Gruenthal, and 11 other past presidents and members from the past 50 years.
The 37 minute film is packed with historical photos, and video taken in 2001 prior to the first Shabbat service in the building.
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Thanks for all the support today!
Read our 2022 Annual report
Meet The Team
Marina Karpilovski
Administrator
Marina joined BJCA in 2020. She is the friendly voice you hear when you call us and the author behind all of the emails. She goes our of her way to make sure the needs of the Jewish community are met
Dov Lank
Board Chair
Dov has been a part of BJCA for many years and is deeply passionate about nurturing the Jewish community in the Tri-Cities area
Steve Levin
Cantor
Cantor Steve Levin has been Burquest's religious leader since 2000. He has an extensive musical background and brings his joy and passion to our services