As our province is beginning to ease restrictions we too are planning to ease slowly into post-pandemic life. We are having a gradual return to our offices, with continued masking requirements in place for all employees and guests.  Events into the fall will be a mixture of outdoor and hybrid while we maintain public health guidelines and keep safety in mind.

I hope you are joining me at the virtual Jewish National Fund Negev Gala on June 22 honouring one of our former Executive Directors, Gayle Tallman. Mazel tov to Gayle on this honor and to the entire committee on what I am sure will be a memorable event. 

You may have seen reports this week about a large swastika painted on to the outside of the Baitul Hadi Mosque. We posted a message of condemnation and solidarity via our Twitter and Facebook accounts and were thanked for doing so by many, including the mosque itself. We continue to be vigilant and engage in advocacy and community relations on behalf of our community. 

With the vaccine rollout picking up steam, we are all hopeful for how life will soon be back to “normal” as it is in Israel right now. I personally am hopeful that one of you will win the vaccine lottery and find a meaningful way to support the community. 

In the meantime, we are planning summer events, Heritage Festival, and more into the fall. Outdoor programs are resuming for many organizations as well as in person services at synagogues. If you are seeking some adventure the Beth Israel Canoe Adventure July 4 still has limited space available.

We have been pleased that we were able to continue to support Camp BB (who has a program for Grade 6 and up) and Camp Gan Izzy, and we are also looking forward to providing other activities for families seeking opportunities for further get togethers and fun this summer. 

Now is the time to continue to ensure that Jewish Edmonton remain  vibrant and active. We will provide the fun and the events, now we need YOU! Join us for our pre-Shabbat get togethers and picnics, bring your children to PJ Library events, come to community-wide adventure days. Meet up with old friends, help us welcome newcomers to Edmonton and lets make some new friends too! 

Many of you have expressed concern this past month about Israel and that we ensure that Israel be recognized for the vibrant, pluralistic, diverse, democratic, culturally vibrant country that it is. We continue to do so, and our most major outreach opportunity is fast approaching. We need you to help welcome Albertans of all backgrounds to our Israel Pavilion at Heritage Festival. Stay tuned to find out more about opportunities to help with set up, food tent, cultural tent and more. 

If you or someone you know is 22-35 years old and able to join our strategic planning focus group on zoom June 27 at 10 a.m. please have them contact student@edjfed.org or message us on any @JewishEdmonton social media account. We will thank them with a $10 Starbucks gift card!

Shabbat Shalom,

Stacey