Jewish Mosaic Unveiled in Oakridge

On December 15, Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver unveiled the first of five mosaics in Oakridge. The mosaic, sponsored by the JCCGV and Jewish Federation, was made possible with generous support from the Averbach, Shafran and Silber families. Located at the intersection of Cambie and 41st by the new Canada Line station, it marks the Jewish community’s connection to the Oakridge neighbourhood and serves as a legacy to the Canada Line.

Local artist, Liz Calvin, worked with members of the Jewish community to create the actual eye-catching, colourful design featuring traditional Jewish symbols including a Star of David, a menorah and a shofar. In addition to these recognized symbols, the mosaic also includes the images of a tree of life, known as eitz ha’chaim and a dove with an olive branch in its mouth, a sign of peace and hope derived from the story of Noah’s Ark. This idea is further rendered with the transcription of the words in English and Hebrew, “peace” and “shalom” on the mosaic’s outer edges. The mosaic also features a border meant to resemble the limestone of the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

This mosaic is one of the five planned for the Oakridge station which will be sponsored by a variety of local groups; one on each of the four corners, with an additional at the Canada Line station/Oakridge Centre corner, co-sponsored by the builders of the Canada Line, InTransitBC.

To read about the mosaic in the Vancouver Sun, click here.