Meet The Team

Project Director

Reisa Schwartzmann

Reisa Schwartzman is a dynamic figure within the Jewish community, known for her multifaceted contributions spanning education, leadership, and philanthropy. As the CEO of the Cape Group, a distinguished family enterprise specializing in development, construction, and asset management, she has demonstrated acumen and dedication in the business realm. Alongside her professional endeavors, Reisa is the proud owner of Griddly Kids, embodying her commitment to nurturing young minds.
Reisa's journey of service and leadership began early, marked by her role as the BBYO city supervisor, where she shaped the experiences of countless young individuals. Prior to her corporate career, she spent nearly two decades as a dance teacher and choreographer at the JCC, enriching lives through the arts. Her involvement with the University of British Columbia's Hillel, culminating in a two-year presidency, underscored her passion for fostering vibrant Jewish campus communities.
A stalwart supporter of communal initiatives, Reisa has been integral to the success of Federation endeavors for over four decades, spanning numerous campaigns and projects. Her dedication extends beyond Federation, as evidenced by her volunteer work with organizations such as the VCRA, Kidney Foundation, Beth Israel Synagogue, and Louis Brier,as well as others, reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to humanitarian causes.
Selected for the prestigious Wexner Heritage program, Reisa further honed her leadership skills and expanded her network, poised to make an even greater impact within and beyond the Jewish community. As a mother of three sons and grandmother to three grandchildren, her passion for Jewish education shines brightly. This commitment is exemplified by her service on the boards of Vancouver Talmud Torah and King David High School, where she served as president for four years, instrumental in the establishment and growth of the latter institution.
Reisa's spiritual journey has been equally transformative. Breaking barriers as one of the first women to read Haftarah at Beth Israel Synagogue during her Bat Mitzvah, she has continued to blaze trails by blowing the Shofar at hospitals and coordinating its annual sounding at BI. Her leadership extends to her synagogue, where she co-chaired the search committee for a new assistant Rabbi and sits on various other committees, embodying her dedication to fostering vibrant and inclusive Jewish communities.
In essence, Reisa Schwartzman's life is a testament to the power of passion, leadership, and service in enriching both the Jewish community and the world at large. Her unwavering commitment to education, philanthropy, and spiritual growth continues to inspire and uplift those around her, leaving an indelible mark on generations to come.

Art Director and Lead Artist and Designer: Shabbat

Panagiotis Peter Sarganis

Panagiotis Peter Sarganis doesn’t remember a time when he didn’t make stuff.  From an early age there wasn’t a piece of paper or cardboard box that was safe from his crayons, brushes, and scissors.

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He completed a degree in Fine Arts at Dawson College (Montreal) in 1988 and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Concordia University (Montreal) in 1993.

To this day oil painting and wood sculpture remain two of his greatest passions.

He has taught at the Langley Fine Arts School since 1995, where he shares his passion for visual arts with his students.

Lead Artist and Designer: Hannukkah

Sheila Romalis

My father and mother, Julius and Molly Balshine, were members of Beth Israel Synagogue from just after I was born. I had my Bat Mitzvah, religious school graduation, USY Pilgrimage send-off celebration (1962), wedding, two baby-namings (our first daughter was born in Haifa, Israel), and three daughter’s Bat Mitzvahs all at the Beth Israel. I have always used this synagogue as a place for family celebrations. 

Born in Vancouver, I grew up being active at the BI and in the Jewish Community, following in my parent’s footsteps. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Art History, Psychology, and Religious Studies from UBC, I went to New York city for 2 years to attend the New York School of Interior Design and Parsons School of Design, taking Architectural Drafting and Interior Design. When I returned to Vancouver I was employed by Thompson/Berwick/Pratt Architects. 

Because I was a November baby, I always loved Hanukkah, and also because I was born with the “collecting gene”, I have a large collection of dreidels and  Hanukkiyot. I consider both of these cultural/religious items as Cultural Art.

 After I married Dr. Garson (Gary) Romalis in 1969, we made Aliyah to Haifa, Israel. We had our first daughter, Lisa, in Haifa in 1971, and then returned to Vancouver, Dec.31, 1971, where we had 2 more daughters, Tara Robens and Dana Romalis Berkenwald. I dabbled with design helping family and friends with their home interiors, but once I discovered the UBC Museum of Anthropology, I knew that my heart was there with other cultures and their material culture - art. I went back to UBC and got a Masters of Arts degree in Anthropology, specialising in Material Culture (cultural art), specifically that of Greenland. I have always appreciated Inuit Art, particularly sculpture, since I was 14 years old, and began to collect it seriously once I was married. It was also at 14, that I began to write poetry. With over 25 trips to East Greenland behind me, 5 years of field research in 3 settlements, being pseudo-adopted by a wonderful East Greenlandic family, studying and writing journal articles about the special, spirit carvings called, “Tupilak Figures”, and leading tour groups to Iceland and East Greenland, I can legitimately claim to be an evolving expert on Greenlandic Culture and Art. The book that I have just finished writing, will be published in 2025, and will contain 2 of my original poems.

I am now retired and able to enjoy my six grandchildren as often as is possible. I still belong to Women’s League For Conservative Judaism as an individual member. I occasionally do calligraphy, painting, drawing, jewellery making, and felting, and usually write a poem for every family special occasion. 

Lead Artist and Designer: Purim and Tu B'Shevat

Beryl Israel

Beryl Israel's life has been a journey of creativity and connection.

She qualified as an elementary school teacher in Zimbabwe, later moving  to South Africa where she developed  music and movement programs, and performed with the vibrant vaudeville Tivoli Group.  She immigrated to Vancouver 22 years ago with her husband to join their family.

Throughout her life she has explored diverse forms of expression including stage and costume design, choreography and dance.  Beryl founded and directed the seniors entertainment group 'Showtime' in Vancouver delighting audiences with 230 concerts over 17 years.  She remains committed to serving her community offering creative exercise programs in senior residences.   In her spare time she enjoys painting and spent many happy hours painting with the BI mural project.  During Covid she initiated the 'Flower Fun' program bringing joy through nature to various senior facilities. Beryl counts her blessing in being able to follow her passion of creativity and kindness within and with the community.

Lead Artist and Designer: Simchat Torah

Debby Koffman

Debby is honoured to have been a part of this wonderful community project. She contributed ideas for the Simchat Torah mural and painted background on a number of the pieces. Her interest in art first developed as a teenager when she was the arts and crafts specialist at Camp B’nai Brith, Pine Lake, Alberta. 

Originally from Calgary, Debby has lived in Vancouver since 1987. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work in Jewish Communal Service and is a graduate of the Wexner Heritage Program.  She has worked both professionally and as a volunteer for a number of community organizations.

Lead Artist and Designer: Rosh Hashannah, Sukkot, Shabbat

Ramona Josephson

It has been such a joy to work with fellow creative congregants on this art mural project.

I was asked to submit a bio and so here is my career in a nutshell:

Throughout my professional journey, I looked for unique ways to educate and inspire people to make changes to their eating habits and lifestyle. I was Chief Dietitian of Shaughnessy Hospital; a best selling author of HeartSmart Nutrition – Shopping on the Run; spokes-person for Dietitians of Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada; Executive Director of the BC Heart Health Network; and President of Health Fairs Unlimited, designing and offering mobile health fairs across Canada. I earned several provincial and national awards for empowering people to assess their health risks and make meaningful change.

Retiring was a challenge, but a wise woman told me: As with your career, whatever you choose to do, stay true to yourself. Do what inspires you and do it your way.

Among other ventures, I joined the Board of Congregation Beth Israel (BI) and with Rabbi Infeld’s support I chaired the creation of Shabbat with a Difference, to bring musical instruments to enhance our joyful experience of Kabbalah Shabbat. It is so gratifying that this has become an integral part of the services offered at BI.

Art inspires me in so many ways.  And how excited I was to be entrusted by our art mural committee to create three pieces.  I hope my grandchildren will share their grandma’s inspirations for these murals in years to come.

Lead Artist and Designer: Pesach and Yom Kippur

Nassa Selwyn

After many decades of playing with acrylic paints I have participated in the creation of Murals for Congregation Beth Israel.

The themes that I participated in designing were for the Yom Kippur and Pesach murals.  This also included many meetings critiquing and helping to plan for the other themed murals.

Watching my family and friends' involvement in Jewish life and traditions, many symbols stand out and contribute to the murals here.  

Consider Yom Kippur:  Kol Nidre, the Mahzor, the solemnity of forgiveness and fasting are among the forefront of the twenty five or six hours that comprise this holy day.

Consider Pesach:  the family gathering for the Seder, the Seder Plate, the four cups of wine, the ten plagues, the reading of the Haggadah and contemporary discussions and so many more are very meaningful.

Watching and participating with these and many other Jewish symbols as the generations evolve have shaped who I am today.

Lead Artist and Designer: Yom Yerushalayim

Janice Masur

Prior to living in Vancouver, Janice Masur had always lived in small, ad hoc Jewish communities and now enjoys the richness of the local Jewish life available to her. Janice is a member of Beth Israel Bikur Olim hospital visitation.

Trained as a physiotherapist in New Zealand, Janice arrived in Vancouver in 1967, working in many of the local hospitals and founding her own business specializing in gerontology and ergonomics.

Janice wrote an historical account entitled "Shalom Uganda: A Jewish Community on the Equator" about her own tiny Jewish community in Uganda 1949-1961 and recently placed two plaques in Uganda to witness and remember her vanished Jewish community.

It was both an honour and a lot of fun to participate in this project together with others eager to beautify the BI garage.

Lead Artist and Designer: Simchat Torah

Adele Lewin

Embarking on a mural project was very exciting, humbling and inspiring for me.

My passion for learning and community led me to work with enthusiastic and talented artists at our shul. As a photographer, I love to create and capture special moments however, designing a huge piece of artwork was out of my comfort zone. With help from committee members, we created a piece of artwork that I am passionate about and proud of. The Simchat Torah mural stands as a celebration of diversity, creativity, and joy—a testament to the vibrant spirit of our community.

As a graduate of Michigan State University, Brandeis University and Langara College, I spent 25 years as a professional in Jewish Communal organizations including Tamarack Camps, BBYO, JFS and Federations. Since 2010, I have created a career as a photographer, my true passion. Check out my website adelelewinphotography.com  

Thank you for this opportunity to collaborate with familiar faces and new friends. My hope is as you drive into Beth Israel there is a warm and welcome feeling as you see all the beautiful murals created by this inspiring team. 

Website Design and QR Code Integration

Krystine McInnes

Krystine is an entrepreneur, project designer and director and member of Beth Israel Vancouver. She has been building boutique projects that integrate and sit at the intersection of her 3 passions - multifamily housing design, green living and energy efficiency and organic farming since 2005. Creating projects that aren't just places to live, but dramatically decrease the cost of living and increase the quality of life for their residents.