“Jewish Federations of North America are appalled, outraged, and disgusted by Hamas’ cruel and deceitful psychological warfare against the Bibas family, the State of Israel, and the Jewish people.”

We watched in shock, outrage, and grief as a macabre and grotesque stage production, gleefully attended by parents and children, paraded the coffins of Yoded Lifschitz, Kfir, Ariel, and presumably Shiri Bibas. We were further enraged by the provision of the wrong keys to the locked, defiled coffins covered in propaganda. The psychological terror of receiving a random body instead of Shiri Bibas is indescribable. This morning, Yarden Bibas demanded the world understand that his dear children’s captors strangled them to death and mutilated their bodies to cover it up. 

I know that, like me, you are beyond words. You’re looking for public statements of support and sympathetic texts from your non-Jewish friends and leaders expressing their outrage. If you aren’t Jewish and are reading this message, please realize that a brief expression of solidarity to your friends and neighbours is always deeply appreciated, to realize the world is seeing this inhumanity for what it is.

This weekend should see the release of six hostages, including four taken on October 7, 2023. Hamas planned a bus and light rail terror attack for Friday morning, but a mix-up between a.m. and p.m. averted a catastrophe. We have challenging days ahead. If you are overwhelmed, remember that Jewish Family Services have empathetic counselors who can help you through this period. 

Our Federation will be holding a 30-minute community gathering in solidarity of the hostages and Israel on Sunday, February 23 at 5:30 p.m. outside on the Talmud Torah School basketball courts. Israeli flags and orange balloons are all welcome.

Federation continues to plant seeds

This past week, our staff team discussed the accomplishments that we were most proud of and the plans we have in our respective portfolios. We exchanged ideas on the seeds we have planted, and how we see those coming to fruition. Our conversation covered how we’re working with lay leaders (our volunteer committees and board) to build and unite our Edmonton community.  

I want to give a special shout out to Jenn Magalnick, who continues to foster deeper connections with Edmonton Public Schools teachers and staff. She established the Jewish Federation of Edmonton as a leading resource for Holocaust education and as a consultant on policy and practice during antisemitic incidents. This past week Jenn joined our Holocaust Education Co-Chairs, Drs Francie Cyngiser and Leon Kagan who presented to teachers at group of teachers from M.E. LaZerte, Eastglen, Queen Elizabeth and McNally schools and has since answered many questions.  

Under Jenn’s guidance, we’re excited to announce that the Jewish Federations of North America accepted our community for a new initiative, “Be the Narrative”—a program empowering and training teens to lead in fostering awareness, allies, and connection through classroom presentations about their Jewish identity. This fulfills our objectives of cultivating leadership, promoting Jewish heritage, and combatting antisemitism. 

Jacqueline Medalye has worked with the community relations chairs to bring lay leaders together with the mayor and city council on Tuesday for lunch and learn about our priorities. She has also been supporting Hillel Director Nathan Campbell in bringing Ben Freeman back for a Jewish Indigeneity event at the University of Alberta that is in partnership with Christian Mission for the Jewish people (CMJ) whose indigenous representative will moderate this discussion. We have invited leadership from indigenous bands around Edmonton to join in the conversation of Jewish indigeneity in the land of Israel. You can register now and it is open to all.

Security insight shared

To better understand our security and anti-hate partnerships, our board met with leaders last week. We appreciate the time that Staff Sgt. Patrick Ruzage, Retired Staff Sgt. Stephen Camp of the Organization for Prevention of Violence and James Stocker, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) National Director of Community Security, took inform us about their roles and organizations and to empower us with further knowledge.  

As a member of the community councils, I will attend a farewell this morning for Chief Dale McFee on his last day in office. It is an honour to speak for our community at this event. My upcoming trip to Israel next week includes representing our community at the Jewish Agency Board of Governors meeting, the Coast to Coast partnership meetings (as CEO Chair), and the Israel emergency allocations forum. I’m excited to share my travel experiences and observations in my Shabbat message.  

Shabbat Shalom, 

Stacey