Imagine being a 10-year-old child right now, with an awareness of rising antisemitism—and then a powerful adult leaning in and looking you in the eye to say, “You are so lucky. What a wonderful time to be Jewish.” 

What incredible words for our children to hear from a special guest, Jonny Daniels, as he was reframing this moment in time. He spoke about the strength of our people, as a people, and how remarkable it is that we have the safety net of Israel for all Jewish people.  

Hosting Jonny Daniels this week provided our community with timely insights into a situation that is developing and changing daily. What touched me most about his visit was how our community, our survivors, and descendants of survivors, could take part in a chain of Jewish continuity with the ability to write a letter in the restoration of a Torah that was rescued from the Holocaust. It was a strong reminder and connection to one another and to am Yisrael—the Jewish people.

Countering antisemitism and advocating for issues important to our community—and I would argue to all Canadians—have become increasingly urgent aspects of our work. I had the great honour of being invited to a Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights panel on antisemitism alongside Friends of Simon Wiesenthal CEO Michael Levitt and B’nai Brith Director of Advocacy Richard Robertson. As I sat there waiting for the posing of questions, I felt strongly that I was carrying your stories and concerns with me to Ottawa, and it was humbling. You can view the proceedings and my opening remarks. 

I tell you this not to promote myself or my position, but so that you know that through our Federation and our advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), YOU and our Edmonton Jewish community have a voice—and quite literally, a seat at the table—where our voices count.

While in Ottawa, I also met with my fellow Jewish Federation CEOs from across the country, discussing common concerns and ways that it is possible to work together to strengthen Canadian Jewry. We also spent a day with the CIJA board, where our voices had a say. Thank you and Yasher Koach to Steve Shafir for continuing to represent us and serve on this board. 

Your voice as an individual counts, too. To make it easier for you to counter the antisemitism that you may face in your day-to-day lives, we have made available a new toolkit on our website with resources to help each of us advocate for ourselves. From how to navigate antisemitism in the K-12 school system, to how to be a grassroots organizer, and more, you’ll find it all at our newly launched website, jewishedmonton.org/toolkit. Work like this is only possible thanks to your generous support of our community through the United Jewish Appeal. 

Two years ago, I travelled to Israel to bear witness to the pogrom that had just occurred. I am now headed to Israel, accompanied by Co-President Benaron Gleiberman, to continue to bear witness. We will engage in discussions about the rebuilding of our partner communities, ensuring that our emergency dollars keep having the greatest impact, along with communities across Canada. Our Partnership2Gether (P2G) Chair Erin Wright is going to be involved in conversations about the future of the partnership as our communities are returning home and how to reinvigorate opportunities for gesher chai (living bridge connections). Our board member Geoff Mayer, who is now Jewish Federations of Canada-United Israel Appeal (JFC-UIA) vice-chair, is also in Israel with the JFC-UIA board and will join us for a milestone event at Tel-Hai College as it takes steps to realization of it becoming a university.

I look forward to sharing some of this by video in my Shabbat message next week. 

Shabbat Shalom,

Stacey