On this Shabbat of National Volunteer Week, I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who are showing up day after day to lead our community, and to contribute to many initiatives, events and programs. When people talk of the Jewish Federation, they are often referring to the staff team. Today, I would like to highlight the lifeblood of the Federation, our volunteers.  

The Jewish Federation is at our finest when we see lay leaders and volunteers partner with professional staff to bring meaningful programs to our community. Beyond the ongoing planning and oversight provided by our board, we have many committed individuals who show up day after day, year after year. This past week was emblematic, and I could not be prouder of our community.  

On Sunday, I attended the last of the Shalom Baby indoor playtimes that Laura and Stevie have organized to thank our emerging leaders for their volunteerism in creating and ensuring this program in its second year. They saw an opportunity to continue to connect families with young children, and with a little help from the PJ Library team, they created and maintained this initiative.  

Thank you to Keren and Aviv Scheinman, who have brought us through another Yom Hazikaron, a ceremony that included local music, dance, stories, and connections to fallen soldiers and recent victims of terror, interspersed with songs and poems that foster a deeper connection with Israel. We deeply value the countless hours the volunteers dedicated to this event, as well as their contributions to setting up the room and leading the program. 

Gratitude to the Yom Ha’atzmaut planning committee, who ensured we would have a joyful celebration engaging for both Israeli newcomers and our entire community. There were a multitude of components and hours of work to plan and execute the event. Thank you to Carmel, Roni, Oksana, Irit, Leeor, Attar, Meital, Jay, and the many volunteers who helped with registration and security.  

We are looking forward to the Edmonton Jewish Film Festival kicking off on Tuesday night, planned by volunteers with Chloe’s guiding hand as the film festival coordinator this year. We join other major cities in bringing quality, topical films and events to Edmonton, a chance to enjoy a cultural experience in our own backyard. Your presence shows your appreciation of this event and is the thank you our volunteers need. You can purchase tickets now.  

Chloe also volunteers as delegation head for Team Alberta at JCC Maccabi, bringing 28 teens and chaperones to the games in Pittsburgh this summer. Significant preparation and coordination guarantee their safe travels, meaningful participation, and a sense of belonging within the wider Jewish community and with each other.  

Whether you are sitting on a committee or board or willing to take a few hours every once in a while to assist at a program or event, we appreciate your time and commitment to a stronger, vibrant, Jewish Edmonton. 

Volunteering is not only a means of giving back but also a way to sense a stronger connection with the Jewish community, and to bolster the areas that are important to you.  

If you want to show your support of Israel, consider taking a shift at the Israel Pavillion at Heritage Festival this summer. You can sign up now. A few hours at a casino can turn into thousands of dollars for local organizations. We have a few remaining spots at our casino July 15-16, as do other agencies throughout the summer. Add your name to the volunteer list now. We will also plan our second Challah and Hummus summer mixer with newcomers. If you would like to help organize this, please let me know.  

Kindly thank the volunteers and let them know how much the community appreciates them.  

Shabbat Shalom, 

Stacey