I wrestled with my response, unsure if I should speak, but remaining quiet wasn’t a viable choice.   

Say their names. Sarah Milgram and Yaron Lischinsky.  

A horrifying act of antisemitic violence, the targeted murder of two Israeli Embassy staff members outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., during an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee, shook our world this week. 

This was a deliberate attack on Jews, singled out because they were thought to be Jewish. The great irony is that these diplomats heavily invested their efforts in peacebuilding.  

Violent acts such as these reinforce how anti-Israel rhetoric can cross the line into antisemitic incitement. This is the direct consequence of antisemitic propaganda that may spread unchecked: falsehoods such as “genocide,” “colonialism,” and “apartheid” circulate freely in the media, on social media platforms, and in academic spaces. We notice the impact of that with your reports on our antisemitism reporting tool and in our daily interactions.  

Like a multitude of you, I woke up heartbroken, angry, and afraid—not just for Israel, not just for diplomatic colleagues, not just for Jewish peoplehood, but also for all of us striving to maintain proud Jewish lives in Alberta. 

And yet, amid that fear, I remember who we are: 

We are a people of resilience. Of memory and action. 

We have faced hatred in every generation, and every time, we rise. This moment is no different. 

If you’re scared, I see you. Should helplessness overcome you, I stand with you. But you are not alone. And, this is a reminder that Jewish Family Services has a team of professional counsellors if you need more than what a friend can provide.  

Within Edmonton, there are currently no known specific threats, but the Jewish Federation of Edmonton continues to work closely with local law enforcement and national partners to ensure the safety of our community. Along with our advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, we remain deeply involved in advocating at all levels of government to fight antisemitism and secure our rights and dignity as Jews. With the antisemitism portal, we are able to track incidents and trends, providing data about our community experiences to NGOs like the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee, who will release a report about Hate in Alberta later this month, or the Organization for Prevention of Violence and Extremism who recently released a report tailored to the Prairie region. We have provided security training and are working towards implementing a regional LiveSecure program. 

Now more than ever, our vision for a new Jewish Community Centre (JCC) in Edmonton is critical. A new JCC isn’t just about bricks and mortar—it represents creating a visible, vibrant, and protected space where Jewish life can flourish. It’s about building a hub for Jewish identity, culture, education, and connection—a place where our children can grow up proud, and where we will assemble in strength and solidarity. Investing in this future is a powerful assertion of defiance and tenacity. 

The best response to hate is to live our Jewish lives proudly and visibly. To gather. To teach the next generation. To sing, to pray, to speak our truth. So many of you showed up for the Edmonton Jewish Film Festival, and we need to continue to do that for one another. Next month, you have the opportunity to welcome Shai Davidai and former hostage Noa Argamani to our community by attending the Jewish National Fund Negev Gala.  

Am Yisrael Chai.  

The people of Israel live—and so do we, with courage and purpose, here in Edmonton and across the globe. 

Shabbat shalom,

Stacey