The JWest project in Vancouver, British Columbia, has announced a C$36 million ($26.7 million) matching gift from the Roadburg family foundations, the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation and the Al Roadburg Foundation, in support of its capital campaign. 

A partnership between Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, the Jewish Community Centre, and King David High School, JWest is the redevelopment and transformation of a 3.3-acre property in Vancouver. When complete, the C$450 million ($334.1 million) project will feature a multigenerational community center with amenities such as expanded childcare services, seniors’ services, athletic facilities, and arts and cultural spaces as well as expanded space for the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, mixed-use rental housing, and a new home for King David High School. To date, the C$161 million ($119.5 million) campaign has raised more than half of its goal.

The single largest gift in support of the JWest project is the first time the two private charitable foundations have collaborated on a major initiative. Al Roadburg was born in Vancouver in 1913. After his passing, his real estate company, Broadway Properties, was taken over by his son, Ronald. The foundation that bears Ronald’s name was established through his estate after his death in 2021.

“We’re immensely grateful to the Roadburg family for issuing this challenge. When the challenge is met, it will represent a profound investment in the Jewish community and the community at large,” said JWest capital campaign chair Alex Cristall. “To achieve this goal, we will first be meeting with major donors across our community to match this challenge. However, this is a community-wide project, and in due course, we will be inviting everyone to join us in creating a legacy for future generations.”

(Photo credit: the Roadburg family)