There is the Shabbat message I wanted to write, and the one I am compelled to write.   

I wanted to share the incredible work of a handful of Hillel leaders who hosted a Shabbat dinner with the Catholic Students Association this past Shabbat.   

I wanted to write about our resilient Israeli friends and partners in Etzbah Hagalil, who have returned after two years of displacement to rebuild better—and who, amidst their struggles, are now under a daily barrage of missiles. With Iranian missiles, there is advance notice to prepare to shelter. With Hezbollah missiles from Lebanon, there is no prior notification. It is too close. And yet they are sheltering and still expecting a day when they can live in peace with surrounding neighbours and no longer exist under this threat.    

I wanted to invite you this Sunday to a Zoom meet-up with our partner region, to listen to and support the Israeli friends who are living through this moment and hear their firsthand accounts. 

I wanted to tell you how honoured I am to steward your donations and work with incredible colleagues across the country and in Israel who—amid sheltering with their families and caring for kids home from school—have identified the needs we are helping to meet for the civilian population:    

• Essential shelter equipment: heaters, mattresses, blankets, first-aid kits, search and rescue equipment, and emergency supplies
• Respite and psychosocial support for children, seniors, and families 
• Community programming to reduce trauma and strengthen mental health 
• Urgent portable dialysis equipment for Ziv Hospital in Tzfat, which serves Israel’s north 

In addition, we have supported our fellow Montreal Federation CJA’s partner region of Be’er Sheva, which tragically experienced a direct hit from an Iranian ballistic missile, through essential first-responder equipment.    

I wanted to tell you how much I am looking forward to celebrating our 30th Edmonton Jewish Film Festival this May, and share that the proceeds will support a program from The Jewish Agency for Israel that will bring two young emissaries to our community for a year of connection and programming. You can find out more about sponsorship opportunities.    

I wanted to tell you that, on the heels of the announcement of our new Jewish security initiative, we welcomed our national security coordinator to Edmonton, and he delivered active intruder event training to our staff, board, and synagogue leaders. I also wanted to share that on this same day, Public Safety Canada announced further support for Jewish Canadian communities—$10 million—and thank the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) for their tremendous efforts in securing these funds.    

And then…    

There is the message I am now compelled to write.   

Enough is enough. Toronto synagogues shot at. A Michigan synagogue and day school experiencing an active shooter event… I can go on. I assume you've read the news. An attack on a synagogue is an attack on Canada. These attacks don't come out of nowhere. They come out of a context and climate of ongoing intimidation, normalization of hate and targeting.    

During this, considerable attention has turned to the Edmonton Police Chief Warren Driechel  who joined other North American police chiefs as part of a delegation organized by the Major Cities Chiefs Association, a professional organization of police executives in Canada and the United States. The trip was approved by the Police Commission, funded externally—no taxpayer dollars were used—and involved meetings with police leaders, not military officials or government actors. More importantly, the stated focus was community policing: how to maintain trust, connection, and safety across diverse populations. The association funds trips internationally on an annual basis. Israel is a country frequently visited for its expertise in counterterrorism and security.  

In the past week, more than two dozen Muslim and Palestinian organizations in Edmonton represented by the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) have expressed that the trip caused deep pain, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Gaza and the loss felt by their communities. There are now calls for the Chief to “provide answers” or resign if those answers are deemed unsatisfactory.    

The disproportionate outrage that has emerged because the country visited was Israel reflects a double standard that attempts to delegitimize and demonize a country that is an ally to Canada, and a place deeply connected to many of our own community members. If the Chief had travelled to almost any other country, it is unlikely this level of criticism would have appeared. In fact, when our mayor visited China, a country with a record of human rights abuse, there was no public concern. Framing professional engagement in this way risks normalizing anti‑Israel sentiment and, more broadly, contributes to an environment where antisemitism can take hold.  

As a result, the online expressions of hate aimed at Jews and Jewish Edmonton are saddening but not shocking. We have all seen how online rhetoric escalates, and how quickly it can spill into real‑world consequences. 

As a member of the Chief Community Council, I have experienced Chief Warren Driechel as a fair and steady leader committed to connecting with all communities.    

We have sent out this action alert with CIJA, and the tone was intentional. This is a wakeup call for our community. I urge you to sign and show your support for the Chief, and in opposition to rhetoric that crosses into unfair vilification and undermines the safety and standing of our Jewish community. Adding your voice helps ensure that this conversation remains grounded, fair, and anchored in fact. And please share it with your friends and neighbours.   

I am heartened by the many cultural groups and allies who have reached out wanting to help, and I look forward to sharing more with you.  

Let’s continue to show our community’s strength. Attend synagogue. Register for a community event. Check in on an old friend or reach out to a community agency to see if you can volunteer.    

Most importantly, have a peaceful Shabbat.    

Shabbat Shalom,    

Stacey