This week, as many of us prepare for Heritage Festival and Shabbat, I found myself thinking about food and the role it plays in Jewish life.

It is always a thrill when I find Israeli produce for sale at Costco. Some months it is pomelo, or grapefruit. This month, it is lychees. When I see that it originated from a kibbutz I have visited or from our partnership region, I am reminded of our connections to the people growing this food and bringing it to market. This year, certified kosher food service will be available at our Israel Pavilion at Heritage Festival. At the same time, we have seen local grocery stores carry kosher products year-round, with specialty items for Jewish holidays. These developments may seem small in the grand scheme of things, but they are meaningful reminders of how Jewish life is woven into our everyday experiences.

Food has always occupied a special place in Jewish tradition. Some of our most important moments happen around a table—Shabbat dinners, holiday meals, family celebrations, and conversations that continue long after the meal is finished. Food nourishes the body, but it also strengthens relationships, creates memories, and helps connect us to our heritage.

As I reflected on these milestones, I found myself thinking about a broader question: What sustains a Jewish community?

Certainly, access to kosher food is one part of the answer. But so too are the people and institutions that help us learn, connect, celebrate, and care for one another. A vibrant Jewish community is nourished by many things: friendships, volunteerism, leadership, learning, advocacy, generosity, security, and a shared commitment to creating places where people feel they belong.

At the Federation, we see examples of this every day. Whether it's a young family discovering Jewish life through PJ Library, a student finding support through Hillel, volunteers welcoming visitors to the Israel Pavilion, community members advocating against antisemitism, or donors investing in our collective future, each contributes to the ongoing nourishment of Jewish Edmonton.

What strikes me most is that none of these things happen on their own. Behind every program, event, partnership, and opportunity are people who care enough to build something for others. Volunteers, donors, business owners, educators, organizers, and community leaders all help ensure that Jewish life continues to flourish in Edmonton.

In recent years, we have often spoken about resilience in the face of challenges. This week, I am reminded instead of abundance—not abundance measured in material terms, but in opportunities to connect, gather, learn, and celebrate Jewish life together. The ability to enjoy kosher food at Heritage Festival, shop for kosher products close to home, welcome newcomers, support students, and create meaningful Jewish experiences are all signs of a community that is vibrant, growing, and deeply connected.

As we prepare for Shabbat, may we take a moment to appreciate the many forms of nourishment in our lives. May we be grateful for food on our tables, for the relationships that enrich our lives, and for the people who quietly help sustain and strengthen our community every day.

A final note—if you are attending Heritage Festival, please bring a food item for Edmonton's Food Bank. And if you have the ability to provide grocery gift cards to Jewish Family Services for the kosher food bank, they can provide them to provide to a family in need.

Shabbat Shalom,

Stacey