Education ranks high
Ken Moss is the new president at community centre in Semialimoo Peninsula.
DOUG ALEXANDER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
More than two decades ago, Ken Moss was selling food at a Tel Aviv burger joint. Today, the 47-year-old trial lawyer has a twinkle in his eyes and a grin on his face as he fondly recalls those days adventuring through Israel.
Besides his one-year stint in Israel — which included construction in a pre-resort Eilat and working in a northern kibbutz — Mr. Moss has spent most of his adult life pursuing law. Now, he's tackling a community leadership role.
Mr. Moss is the new president of the White Rock/South Surrey Jewish Community Centre — one of two Jewish organizations that make their homes in the Semiahmoo Peninsula. Mr. Moss undertook the leadership role in May, replacing Ted Gerstl. Mr. Moss lives with his wife Jane, 11-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter in Ocean Park, a quiet South Surrey neighborhood. A lawyer for 18 years, he currently practices litigation and genera] law out of his north Surrey office.
Mr. Moss sees his role with the centre as a way to ensure the continuing success of this growing seaside community. "I see my role as solidifying those things that are most critical and at the heart of what a Jewish community is," he said. "I think that Jews ought to have a good fundamental understanding of what it is to be Jewish."
The good-natured president believes that education is the key to that understanding. "This is a growing community and I really think we need to get things right from the beginning. I think that this year, I really want to concentrate on improving the educational system for the children, as well as the adults."
The centre has about 50 children attending Hebrew school,
Doug Alexander is the Bulletin's White Rock /South Surrey correspondent.
which operates every Sunday out of White Rock's seniors' centre. The school goes from preschool up to youths preparing for Bar-and Bat-Mitzvahs. Mr. Moss wants to ensure that quality teachers and a strong adminis-
Ken Moss is the new president of ttie Wtiite Rock/South Surrey Jewisli Community Centre.
tration will continue to teach Jewish traditions.
Education doesn't stop with children. Mr. Moss wants to encourage more adult gatherings to discuss issues, such as Jewish identity and culture, in a group setting.
Although education is the new president's key focus, the centre will continue offering the local Jewish community the same services and programs as before. This includes monthly services and annual celebrations, including a Passover seder, a summer family picnic and a yearly bazaar. The organization is also cooperating with other multifaith groups in the Semiahmoo Peninsula to increase awareness and promote understanding between different faiths and cultures.
The centre has recently opened an office on Fir Street, across from White Rock City Hall, where members can congregate or find more information about upcoming events in the community. □
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