This past week PJ Library hosted an outdoors, limited numbers event at Somerset Farms for the holiday of Sukkot. It was heartwarming to see a broad spectrum of the community, from those seeking a Jewish connection and more opportunities to affiliate, to those strongly affiliated with each of our synagogues. Children and families enjoyed getting to know one another while learning about Sukkot and foods of the harvest while shaking the Lulav and Etrog with Mira Campbell and Jenn Magalnick. 

We are proud of our PJ Library program, both with the hundreds of book subscriptions we sponsor for Jewish babies, children and pre-teens every month and with the increased efforts to offer welcoming and inclusive programming.  Your United Jewish Appeal dollars support these continuity opportunities and our ability to connect parents and families with one another. 

While we have enjoyed the momentum from summer programming, we will shift to online events for the foreseeable future with a variety of new offerings throughout the fall.  Virtual Tot Shabbat, Shabbat kits, Mitzvah Moments, craft events for parents and more are on the horizon. Follow PJ Library Edmonton on Facebook or contact Jenn magalj@edjfed.org to get on the mailing lists for Shalom Baby, PJ Library or PJ Our Way programs. 

Jewish Federation of Edmonton is also a proud sponsor of the community lunches at the Bissell Centre for Thanksgiving and Christmas, with thanks to the organizers from Beth Israel Synagogue and Congregation Beth Shalom respectively. It comes as no surprise that the need is great this year. In anticipation of the cold weather to come, new socks and hats are also appreciated. If you are able to pick some up and drop them off at Beth Israel before October 8 they will be sure to bring them along with the 200+ lunches being prepared. (With COVID Protocols right now they are not in need of prepared sandwiches and baking from your home.) 

It is likely no surprise that we are planning for Zoom programming for the short term and will reassess as time goes on. Watch for news about a tour of the National Library in Israel with former Consul General DJ Shneeweiss, a cooking class with Chef Shawna Goodman from Ranaana in Israel (back by popular demand) and a virtual launch and tour of Yad Vashem’s Children of the Holocaust Exhibit partnered with Canadian Society for Yad Vashem through the Maspik grant. Jewish Studies week at University of Alberta will have many interesting lectures at the end of October and we will continue to inform you of all of this and more.

With the Federal election behind us we turn our attention to the municipal one on the horizon. Your voice matters; we saw how important every vote is so be sure to vote for your choice for mayor as well as city councilors. We hope that the meet the mayoral candidate videos coming to your inbox on Sunday will inform you and inspire you to lend a hand and volunteer with the candidate of your choice.

Be safe and be well. 

Shabbat Shalom, 

Stacey