I’d like to share a story with you about a phone call I received earlier this week. Uncannily, the day that Jewish Federation of Edmonton was sponsoring the opening reception of Here to Tell: Faces of Holocaust Survivors at the Art Gallery of Alberta. A woman in Washington State who, with a trembling voice, was looking for help from the Canadian Jewish community. (Who better to contact than the shtetl of the North, the Jewish Federation of Edmonton?!) Her name is Judith, and she is a second-generation survivor. Judith’s mother named her after her youngest sibling, Yudit/Judith. Her family recently learned that her aunt Judith, who they believed had died in the Holocaust, actually survived and immigrated to Canada shortly after. She is no longer alive, but has a son. Judith was trying to retrace her past and sought our help. 

Just an hour before, Jenn Magalnick and I were discussing the importance of sharing the stories of these Albertan survivors. They came to Canada to start over, many of them as sole survivors of their families. As a community, we have the responsibility of making sure the accounts of Holocaust survivors—both those who are with us today and those whose voices are no longer here—are never forgotten. This exhibition does exactly that. Here to Tell provides an intimate look at the lives of Shoah survivors through the lens of the camera. We see not only their experiences during the Holocaust but also how they rebuilt their lives after such profound loss. I reflect on people like Judith, who immigrated to Canada with the belief that she was the lone survivor of her family, and whose family remained ignorant of her existence. Let us take inspiration from them about resiliency and hope. Please take the time to visit the art gallery as the exhibit will run until February 9.   

Through commemorative events, classroom presentations, high school symposiums and ongoing advocacy, the Jewish Federation perseveres. We’re also planning a Jewish Heritage and Holocaust Education Centre within the new Jewish Community Centre (JCC). This center of excellence will ensure that this important work continues to thrive within our community.  

This week marks the unique holiday of Sigd, observed by the Ethiopian Jewish community, Beta Israel. The Israeli government made Sigd an official state holiday in 2008. Our community is fortunate to have Rabbi Guy Tal and Rebbetzin Fentaye, who can teach us about this celebration, the Beta Israel community, and the current state of the community within Israel. The Jewish Federation of Edmonton is supporting a Sigd event this Sunday night at Beth Israel synagogue at 7 p.m., where we will also enjoy the delicious cuisine prepared by the Rebbetzin herself. 

As One, we continue to uplift one another and learn about the diversity in our own community. I want to thank the many of you who have made United Jewish Appeal contributions this year and encourage you to support the Jewish Federation of Edmonton’s annual community campaign. With your gift, we can empower Jewish life, education, and advocacy while supporting those in need in Edmonton and beyond. We have programs that connect families, work to combat antisemitism, and strengthen our collective voice. Each gift, no matter the size, makes a real difference to our ability to carry out our missions and ensure a thriving, vibrant and connected community. Please note that with the postal strike we can take your payment by phone, on our website, or you can come to our office directly.  

Register now for our annual general meeting on Wednesday, December 4, to hear about our past year, review financial statements, elect board members, and get an update on the JCC redevelopment committee.  

Shabbat Shalom, 

Stacey