Rabbi Harry Brechner
Rabbi Harry Brechner is the father of two remarkable now adult children. He is married to RaeAnn Witkin Brechner who is a counsellor and social worker as well as an incredible life partner. For the past 24 years Harry has been the spiritual leader of Congregation Emanu-El in Victoria, B.C. on Vancouver Island. With his synagogue Harry is involved in various social action/justice projects including outreach to marginal and vulnerable folk Victoria's Downtown core. He is also involved in lots of multifaith projects with the aim of generating understanding and collaboration working to make Greater Victoria a more compassionate city. Harry is a member of Rabbis without Borders and currently serves of the steering committee of Faith in Action. He is also on the board of the Victoria Mulitfaith Association. For his work as a community bridge builder he has been inducted into the Anglican Order of British Columbia in 2023 and he also is a receipiant of the King Charles III Coronation Medal. Prior to moving to Victoria, Harry served as Head of School for the New Orleans Jewish Day School and Director of the Bureau of Jewish Education for Greater New Orleans. Harry worked as the director of the J-CC Ranch Camp in Colorado, a rugged outdoor adventure camp and a western ranch. He also directed Camp Solomon Schechter in Washington State. Harry has a background in early childhood education and child development and has worked as both a pre-school teacher and a special educator. Some of his other sundry experiences include commercial fishing in Alaska, trail maintenance in the Northeast corner of the Cascade Mountains, tying re-bar on construction sites in Seattleā¦ Harry served as a combat medic in the Israel Defense Forces. Harry enjoys exotic travel, backpacking and climbing and he makes a great kosher gumbo and jambalaya.
