This week we read Parashat Pinchas, a portion that begins with urgency and tension, but ultimately asks us to think about responsibility, continuity, and leadership. At a time when so much can feel uncertain, the Torah reminds us that leadership is not only about responding in difficult moments. It is also about helping build the strength, structure, and connections our community will need for the future.

Pinchas includes the powerful story of the daughters of Tzelofchad, who step forward with clarity and conviction so that their family's place in the future of the Jewish people would not be forgotten. Their actions are thoughtful, respectful, and grounded in justice. They do not wait for someone else to recognize what is missing. They speak up, make their case, and help create lasting change.

There is an important lesson in that story for all of us.

Speaking up for our community takes courage, but it also calls for preparation, relationships, persistence, and presence. It asks us to show up before a crisis, during a crisis, and long after the headlines have moved on. It asks us to speak clearly about antisemitism, Jewish safety, Israel, and the needs of our community, while continuing to build the trust and understanding that make those conversations possible.

I have been thinking about this as we prepare for events taking place throughout the Calgary Stampede. Efforts like Spuds 'n Suds matter not simply because they bring people together, but because they create opportunities to strengthen connections. Through collaboration between the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee (CJPAC), Allies for a Strong Canada, and the Alberta Jewish Federations, community leaders, elected officials, allies, and partners can connect, listen, learn, and deepen their understanding of one another. Those connections matter, especially during challenging times. We are thankful to our partners for organizing this event and helping create opportunities for these important conversations. We look forward to sharing some photos on our social media channels on Friday.

Parashat Pinchas also shows Moses preparing for leadership beyond himself. He asks for a leader who will guide the people with steadiness and care. That vision of leadership feels especially relevant today. Our community needs leaders who are guided by Jewish values, committed to partnership, confident in speaking up for Jewish interests, and willing to do the patient work of building trust across differences.

In this moment, speaking up for our community takes more than outrage. It takes stamina. It means showing up in the rooms where decisions are made, cultivating allies across political lines, and telling our story with dignity and clarity. It means making sure Jewish voices are present, understood, and respected.

The daughters of Tzelofchad did not assume someone else would speak on their behalf. They stepped forward when it mattered. Their example invites each of us to consider where we can do the same. Where can we contribute? Where can we strengthen a connection, lend our voice, or help build a stronger future for our community?

May this Shabbat bring renewed strength, wisdom, and courage to each of us. May we continue to build meaningful relationships, speak up with clarity and compassion, and lead in ways that honour both the challenges of this moment and the generations who will come after us.

Shabbat Shalom,

Stacey