Instead of the message we had planned for today, we want to provide you with an update on the situation in Israel and steps we have taken to ensure local community security. 

As you have surely heard by now, last night Israel launched strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear capabilities, which have long been an existential threat to Israel, and which have recently ramped up. While the situation remains fluid and a response from Iran is expected, the highly targeted strikes by the Israel Defense Forces were extremely successful. Now and always, we stand with Israel in supporting its inherent right to self defense and to strike, even pre-emptively, against the imminent and grave danger of a nuclear armed Iran.  

For more details, please watch this recording of today's briefing from Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and read this short backgrounder. Webinars and other updates, like the one today, often come to us with very little notice and we will try to share them with you as quickly as possible. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X or join our email list to receive updates about these.  

We have been in touch with local law enforcement and our national security partners, and they have advised that there is no specific heightened threat to our immediate Jewish community.  

Edmonton Police Services (EPS) if aware of all upcoming programming in our community. Out of an abundance of caution, EPS will provide additional patrols of local Jewish institutions, as available. You may or may not notice these, depending on whether they send marked or unmarked cars. As always, police respond to any emergency calls from local Jewish organizations with high priority. 

We contacted our agencies and advised them to adhere to their established security protocols and to increase their vigilance as they proceed with programs and their regular business operations. Individual community members have a role to play, too. Please stay of your surroundings and if you see something, say something. 

We have also been in touch with our Jewish community security partners who take the lead on potential national threats and who are in contact with national law enforcement agencies. They have advised that there is no specific increased threat nationally and will continue to monitor this.  

Our community has close connections with Israel, and some members are currently in Israel. The airport is closed, and we are monitoring the travel situation. Last week, we wrote that Ashley Kravetsky is in Israel attending the JFNA Pride Mission. We have been in touch with her. She is safe, and she knows that we and JFNA are here to support her.   

I have been working closely with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), JFNA, our Federation staff, and with Federation leadership across the continent on this important issue last night and today. As it happens, I am on a long-planned family vacation at the moment, but I remain fully involved as the team and I worked with our partners and stay current as events unfold.  

Community safety and security is a top priority for our Federation and our partners and agencies.  While the situation in Israel is concerning for all of us, at this time we are confident that programs and events remain safe and secure for you to attend. 

As we prepare to welcome Shabbat, we do so knowing that our friends and family in Israel are in their shelters and safe rooms. It is a tense moment for the entire country and everyone in it—something we feel keenly in our hearts as we pray for their safety.  

In this difficult moment, remember your community is here for you. If the stress of the situation is overwhelming for you, I encourage you to contact Jewish Family Services, which offers excellent counselling services. If you are feeling strong, please reach out to others, check in on them, and offer support or a seat at your Shabbat table tonight. As difficult as things are, we will get through it the way we always have--together. 

Shabbat shalom and am Israel chai,

Stacey