One of the great joys in my role is when I see how we have provided a spark, a moment that nurtures a deeper connection to our community, to Israel, and to Jewish peoplehood. I am watching volunteers step into deeper engagement and roles that began when they attended a program or event and are now following that passion. 

My spark of Jewish journey came to me when I attended summer camp in Quebec as a teenager. Friday nights, hundreds of children dressed in white convened on the basketball courts to welcome Shabbat and sing. I learned birkat hamazon as we benched at every meal and spent many a bleary-eyed morning at flagpole before breakfast, singing O Canada and Hatikvah. Camp activities followed the rhythms of the week with a shift in programming on Saturdays and the summer followed the Jewish calendar, but mostly we swam and canoed and made wax candles. My Jewish friends and sense of community started at camp. 

Canadian Jewish camps targeted

I share this with you as a small group of extreme activists have recently launched a campaign targeting Jewish summer camps across Canada. This pro Boycott, Divest, Sanction (BDS) faction targeting of Jewish summer camps is yet another attempt to stigmatize and isolate Jews within Canadian society. To do so by harassing children’s camps is an especially shameful move, given the serious warnings from national security officials about the violent threats against our community. In case you missed it, more details can be found in the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs’ (CIJA) post on X, as well as relevant coverage in the Times of Israel. 

The Ontario Camping Association statement is one of moral clarity and strength. Canadians are seeing this for what it is—an antisemitic attempt to erase Jewish life and connection to Israel, and we continue to navigate this issue with Calgary Federation and Camp BB Riback.  

What are the pillars that guide the Federation

Security. Advocacy. Strengthening Jewish life. These are the three pillars of how we are countering antisemitism, and the steps that our Federation is taking are the starting point to our vision of a flourishing Jewish community.  

At our board meeting with community representatives this past week, we welcomed National Security Coordinator Benji Aziza, who presented about the Jewish Security Initiative and our acceptance into the Livesecure program. We look forward to sharing more details about how we will be strengthening our security as a community in coming days. Keep an eye on your inbox for more details.  

We also welcomed Marley Gillies, director for CIJA Alberta, who spoke with us about community priorities that will be central to conversation with elected officials and policymakers. Primary issues now are centred around security, mental health, and countering antisemitism whether on post-secondary campus or in public spaces.  

Strengthening Jewish life and identity is ongoing and collaborative. At our meeting, community representatives spoke about a multitude of programs, a surge in engagement and partnered education for adults as well as partnered programs for Purim. With construction underway on our new Oshry | Kipnes Jewish Community Centre, we will ensure an anchor in Edmonton for generations to come. Our office is buzzing with staff and volunteers who are planning a stellar film festival, Yoms programs, Heritage Festival, Dianne z’l and Irving Kipnes Holocaust Education Symposium and for the first time, a presence at the Greater Edmonton Teachers’ Convention next week. If you are attending this event, come say hello to Jenn Magalnick and our Holocaust Education chairs.  

We continue to maintain strong connections to Israel, through the Jewish agency and our Partnership2Gether program. There is still room on the athletes and artists mission, for anyone under 50 with an interest in sports and culture. We are thrilled to share that with a grant from The Jewish Agency for Israel, we will be bringing two ShinShinim to Edmonton to work in our community in the coming year and provide that additional personal connection through programming and engagement.  

On this Shabbat, I hope that you consider and find your spark, and that it continues to provide you warmth amid our deep freeze.  

Shabbat shalom,

Stacey