This week's Shabbat message is written by Steve Shafir, who represents our Federation for our advocacy arm, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA). Advocacy is a large part of the work that the Federation does for our Edmonton Jewish community. We thank Steve for his dedicated volunteer time and for bringing this important message for you to read and act on.

For those of you who know me, you know how much our community and Israel mean to me. I have had the honour over the last 11 years to serve as Edmonton’s representative on the national board of CIJA. I am currently Secretary, and sit on the executive. CIJA’s mission is clear—to advocate for Canadian Jews and for Israel. CIJA is funded by your United Jewish Appeal (UJA) as well as Federations from coast-to-coast. 

For Canadian Jews, this is the first federal election since October 7. The first federal election since many of us have had to worry about our own safety and our belonging in Canada. We have all been concerned by the appalling scenes on our streets since that terrible day. The reality of the alarming antisemitism throughout so many facets of Canadian society is frightening—hate rallies in our cities, hate crimes targeting synagogues and Jewish schools, or hostility toward Jews on university campuses, in unions, or in workplaces.

This election is an opportunity to speak up, to fight back and to have your voice heard. To have our community’s voice heard. It is time for us to make it clear to those seeking to represent us in Ottawa that protecting our community is about protecting Canadian values. How candidates respond to this monumental challenge will ultimately shape the kind of country we will be for years to come. 

Our community has always stood strong in the face of adversity. We have always taken action whenever it mattered. We fought against antisemites in the 1980s—against Keegstra and Terry Long. We stood up for values important to our community—like making our community’s voice heard in the Vriend decision. We made sure the likes of Ernst Zundel and David Ahenakew faced the consequences of their actions. Today, we continue to fight. But to do so, we had to galvanize as a community—we had to make sure our voices were heard. 

That’s why this election is about more than just voting. It’s about mobilizing and organizing. Elections in Canada can be decided by a handful of votes. In some ridings, like Edmonton Centre and Edmonton Northwest, a few dozen ballots can change the outcome. Tell your family in the greater Toronto area, in Winnipeg, Montreal or Vancouver, that their votes will matter. Every vote literally counts. However, one-third of Canadian voters don’t cast a ballot at all. For our community and our allies, the stakes are too high to stay on the sidelines. I urge you to make your voice heard—vote! 

As Jews, we’ve always punched above our weight, whether in academia or professional fields, business or philanthropy, or arts and culture. This election calls on us to punch above our weight in Canadian democracy by taking meaningful actions that will make Canada a better home for all who share our values—and a place where Jewish life can continue to thrive. 

Elan Pratzer, the chair of the board of CIJA recently shared four things that he is asking all Canadian Jews to do that will make a difference:

First, vote. Make voting a priority and set out a plan to get to the ballot box—either in advanced polls, by mail-in ballot, on election day, and all the ways available to you.

Second, help others vote. Become a vote mobilizer. Reach out to a senior in your family or a neighbour with mobility issues and offer them a drive to the polls. Engage your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews who may have never voted before. 

Third, speak up and engage your local candidates. This election, we can’t afford to wait for candidates to knock on our door. We each need to knock on their doors—by meeting, calling, and emailing them about the issues that matter. 

In the theme of Passover, ask them these Four Questions: 

• How will they support our community to keep us safe? 
• What will they do to hold accountable those who threaten and attack Canadian Jews? 
• What will they do to strengthen ties with our ally Israel? 
• What will they do to guarantee our community has a secure and vibrant future in Canada?

Fourth, do more by getting involved in a party of your choice or reach out to the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee (CJPAC). Let them know what is important to our community. 

CIJA and CJPAC have made it easy for you to get all the information you need to get involved and make an impact. Just visit JewishCanadaVotes.ca to learn more. And please reach out to me if you have any other questions.

The time to act is now. This election could be the most important one for Jews in Canada since confederation. Take the first step and make a plan to go vote on or before April 28. Then take another step and do more than just cast a ballot.

Those who show up are the ones who are counted.

Shabbat Shalom,

Steve