When I was in graduate school, I was in courses that dealt with the human impacts of large systems change. One of my professors relayed a story to us about a time when he was working with a group of nuns, and how they coped when they were dealing with human fragility, vulnerability, and anxiety on a daily basis. He asked the leader, “When the world seems very dark, what do you turn to in those moments of existential dread?” Her answer was profound: I bake cookies.  

As I entered the Challah Bake at Beth Israel Synagogue, I thought of that story; of how this era we are in seems like a historical turning point, a time of transition that none of us had foreseen or planned for, and at times feels so fundamentally dark. What better activity to turn to as a Jewish people than baking challah. It is a universal Jewish activity, and it is grounding. Judaism occurs in community, and gathering in a room to prepare challahs together was an uplifting exercise. 

The Jewish Federation of Edmonton provided an allocation to the synagogue to support the challah bake, which brought women together from across the entire community. We were able to provide these funds as a result of the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) campaign. In addition to our core commitments to support bursaries for Talmud Torah School, Camp BB Riback and BBYO, we provide funds to support seniors transportation to access programs at the Jewish Seniors Citizens' Centre, and the services provided at Jewish Family Services. With your support, we continue and enhance what we can directly provide to these organizations. I know that many volunteers are making phone calls and you can also make a donation online.  

This past week was a flurry of activity, including a visit from the Israeli Consulate to provide consular services. In the recent past, people have been required to fly to the consulate in Toronto for matters that could not be handled through mail, and it has been many years since a visit was made to Edmonton. We were so pleased to welcome them to Edmonton to provide this service to our community members, which resulted from the strong relationship we maintain.  

Forming and forging relationships on behalf of our community is an important component of the activity of the Jewish Federation. Whether on an advocacy day at the legislature, in conversations with Edmonton Police Services, or with allies who want to better understand and support our community, this work is all supported through the UJA campaign.  

It was an honour to welcome the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Jerry Bouma, to bring remarks to the Kristallnacht program. We had many allies who showed up that evening, to not only learn from our keynote speaker, Marsha Lederman, but to demonstrate their support of our community. At the end of the article written by David Staples in the Edmonton Journal today, he calls the general community to action - to stand up and stand with our community in the face of rising antisemitism. Yasher Koach to Michael Oshry for having this bold conversation with David, and bringing voice to what so many of us are facing.  

This coming weekend is a celebration of Shabbat, with a scholar in residence Shabbaton at Beth Shalom, welcoming Dr. Stephen Arnoff (who specializes in the nexus of religion and popular culture) and Shabbat Project at Beth Israel. Additionally, the Jewish Archives and Historical Society of Edmonton and Northern Alberta (JAHSENA) is holding their annual general meeting on Sunday at Jewish Federation office. I encourage you to come out and be with the community.  

Shabbat Shalom,

Stacey