This week has marked a new milestone- since 2014, it is the first time there are no remaining hostages in Gaza. Master-Sgt Ran Gvili z”l was brought home for proper burial, after 843 days in captivity. When I have travelled to Israel over the last two years, every corner of the country was focused on bringing hostages home and posters, empty chairs, and yellow ribbons abounded. This is a moment we prayed for worldwide. In a moment of serendipity, Tammy Vineberg, had just landed for her first trip to Israel and was at Hostage Square right after it was announced.
I am pleased to let you know that two of our staff members, Becky Saegert and Tammy Vineberg, are currently in Israel participating in the Courageous Leadership Canada program, the aim of which is to strengthen the pipeline for Jewish leadership and address the key challenges of Jewish life in small and mid-sized Canadian communities.
Following time with this cohort, Tammy and Becky will be visiting our partnership region in Upper Galilee for a few days to see the impact of our relationship building and visit key spots such as Tel-Hai College. We look forward to hearing what they’ve learned and about their experience in next week’s message.
This week also commemorated the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day. What is it to remember? What does it mean to commemorate? How do we as a community confront, learn, share? This week I took great pride in the efforts by our team, beginning with a talk by Zion Barany at the Jewish Drop in Centre. Zion grounded us in the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ and delved into a talk about medical experimentation that was performed on 20 children, naming each of them and speaking to the complicity of what transpired. You can watch a recording here.
Yesterday, Jewish Federation Holocaust Education committee sponsored a discussion “Looking Forward: the Future of Holocaust Education” between Dr. Alexander Warren Marcus and Dr. Melanie Carina Schmoll, organized by Dr. Regan Lipes at Grant MacEwan University. Well attended and profound considerations about how we are teaching about the holocaust, with our own Jenn Magalnick sharing strategies that she has taken in this regard.
Tyranny of Hate, Consequences of Indifference- as these words echo, we express concern and solidarity with the people of Iran. You can demonstrate this by participating in this action alert by advocacy agent CIJA.
Locally, I have been attending the peaceful rally organized by members of the Iranian community and am in regular contact with the organizers. Our community has been asked to stand in solidarity and attend this Sunday 1pm Walterdale bridge. The invitation is as follows:
We are writing to members of the Jewish community in Edmonton to invite you to attend a peaceful public march this Sunday, February 1st, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Walterdale Bridge.
The march, “Edmonton Stands with Iran’s Revolution,” is organized to support the Iranian people’s struggle against the Islamic Republic — a regime that is a central global sponsor of antisemitism, terrorism, and violence, while brutally repressing Iranians.
For decades, this tyranny regime has openly called for the destruction of Israel, funded extremist groups, and spread hatred, while denying Iranians basic freedoms and human dignity. This gathering is about standing together — as communities that understand the dangers of state-driven hate and the consequences of indifference.
We respectfully invite you and members of your community to attend and stand in solidarity.
We would also be grateful if you could share this invitation within your community among those who value human rights and democratic principles.
While I will be out of town, I encourage you to attend if you are able. Israeli flags are welcome, please consider placing it alongside the Iranian flag. Wishing you a Shabbat of rest and peace-
Stacey