Giving back through community service as always been important to Judy. She volunteered for the YWCA when she was 16 to design and lead a weekly after-school arts program at Hastings Elementary School in Vancouver. Since then, she has enjoyed working on many community causes she cares about from social services to arts &  culture, heritage conservation and local planning. Over the years, she seen a number of organizations from the inside:

  • National Trust for Canada, Member, Board of Governors, October 2016-
  • Heritage BC 2017 Conference Planning Committee, Conference in Victoria, May 2017
  • Heritage BC 2016 Conference Planning Committee, “PlaceMaking: Where Arts & Heritage Collide”, Vancouver, May  2016
  • The Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation, Past Chair + Governor, 2003-2009; Honorary Governor 2009-2015
  • Pacific Parkinson’s Research Institute, Board of Trustees, 2010-2014
  • Porridge for Parkinson’s Breakfasts, Organizing Group, 2001- present
  • Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, Kristallnacht Lecture Committee, 2003-2014
  • Jewish Family Service Agency, Board Member, 2003-2005; Executive, 2004-2005
  • Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, Vice-President for Community Development and Planning 1998-2003; Board Member, 1996-2003
  • Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, Chair, Planning Council, 1998-2003
  • City of Vancouver, Development Permit Board Advisory Panel, Member, 1996-1998
  • Vancouver City Planning Commission, Member, 1988-1994, Vice Chair, 1993-1994
  • Heritage Canada Magazine, Member of the Editorial Advisory Board, 1993-1996
  • City of Ottawa, Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee, 1984-1987
  • ICOMOS Canada (International Council on Monuments and Sites), Board, 1982-1986
  • Association for Preservation Technology International, Board, 1982-1986

Volunteer fundraiser

  • Porridge for Parkinson’s Annual Breakfasts: Raising funds for the Pacific Parkinson’s Research Institute to support research at UBC, 2001-
  • Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver Annual Campaign, 1988-
  • Assisting local non-profit & charitable organizations with their marketing and communications, 2000-

Community Recognition

2009, City of Vancouver Heritage Award of Merit, Vancouver, BC: Curriculum Design for the Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s, Old School: Certificate in Building Conservation, Judy Oberlander and Associates Inc. in collaboration with the Vancouver Heritage Foundation

2005, Nominee, YWCA Woman of Distinction – Business and Professions, Vancouver, BC

2004, Program Excellence Award, Canadian Association for University Continuing Education, CAUCE: Urban Design Certificate created by The City Program at Simon Fraser University and its recognition by four professional associations

2002, Heritage BC Award, Heritage Society of British Columbia, Victoria, BC, Design of Continuing Education Courses for the Heritage Community in British Columbia

2001, Program Excellence Award, Canadian Association for University Continuing Education, CAUCE: The City Program at Simon Fraser University’s contributions to continuing education

1999, City of Vancouver Heritage Award of Honour, Vancouver, BC: The City Program at Simon Fraser University’s contributions to professional and public education in Vancouver

1996, City of Vancouver Heritage Award of Honour, Vancouver, BC: The Strathcona Front Porch Project, The City Program at Simon Fraser University in collaboration with the Strathcona Residents Association