In this week’s Parsha, Vayishlach Jacob wrestles all night with an angel. At the end of their struggle, the angel asks his name. “He replied, ‘Jacob.’ But he said, ‘Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with beings divine and human, and have prevailed.’” (Bereishit 32:28—29). The name signifies a new identity and destiny, not only for Jacob but for his descendants. 

Some commentators, including Rashi, explain that this angel was the spiritual representative of Esau, Jacob’s brother, and adversary. The struggle was more than physical—it was deeply spiritual, symbolizing the challenges Jacob would face throughout his life, and the struggles Klal Yisrael would encounter across generations. 

We see and hear the challenges from our community regularly. Whether through reports to the antisemitism portal or the conversations where you are expressing your fears and concerns for our community. We know that many of you feel a pressure to hide your connection to Judaism and to Israel, whether in the workplace, school, or on your social media accounts. Let us take strength from Jacob—and from one another—who, despite the struggle, came to survive and thrive. Let us not compromise on who we are in order to be accepted.  

This week, Jewish Federations across Canada signed an open letter with our advocacy agent Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) endorsing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) handbook that was recently released. This letter shows our commitment to the existence of the state of Israel, and to a clear definition of antisemitism that allows for legitimate criticism of Israel, while ensuring that freedom of expression does not cross the line of hate speech.  

There have been attempts to delegitimize and boycott the Here to Tell exhibit at the Art Gallery of Alberta. I encourage you to visit the exhibit, which depicts the stories of Jewish Albertans who survived the Shoah and came to Alberta to make their lives and contribute to the fabric of society. If you have a loved one that you would like to be included (this can be posthumously with a relative holding a picture of them as well) please contact Jenn Magalnick so that she can put you in touch with the curators.  

This weekend our local teens are meeting up with peers from Calgary and Saskatchewan at the BBYO regional convention. We are pleased to continue to support and strengthen BBYO as one of our major beneficiaries of the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) campaign, and hope that they leave the convention reinvigorated to live proud Jewish lives.   

On behalf of the board, UJA Campaign Cabinet, and staff, I want to thank every one of you who has made a gift to the UJA campaign this year. Every gift, no matter the size, is a meaningful recognition of the work that we do and of your desire to ensure that we have a strong and vibrant community. To avoid delays because of the Canada Post strike, send your gift via e-transfer to payments@edjfed.org before December 31, visit our website, call or drop by our office.

This is also the moment that we wish Susan Schiffman a yasher kocheh and immense gratitude for her seven years at the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, her professionalism, and her dedication to both the UJA campaign and the Edmonton Jewish Film Festival. Susan's last day is December 18 and please check out this fun retrospective video in her honour. If you want to drop her a note, you can do so at susans@edjfed.org. In the interim, Chloe Soibelman will assume her duties and guide the campaign to its conclusion.  

Shabbat shalom,

Stacey