Director General Sarah Mali’s speech at the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) campaign launch emphasized the strong connection between Canadian Jewry and Israel. This week, I received a serendipitous reminder from Edmonton—and even Vegreville—of just how deep those ties are, while demonstrating the importance of the Jewish Archives and Historical Society of Edmonton and Northern Alberta (JAHSENA).

So what do Vegreville, JAHSENA, and Israel have in common? 

You may recall that last week we had a visit from Esther Marcus, Israeli survivor of an attack on Kibbutz Alumim, a religious kibbutz in the Gaza envelope. The Edmonton Journal has published an interview with her that you can read. After Esther returned, she informed me that World Mizrachi had provided funds to build the kibbutz’s synagogue from the proceeds of the sale of the synagogue in Vegreville. 

I could quickly gather more details about the sale through JAHSENA and look forward to sending Esther more pictures and facts about the synagogue and community. If you possess artifacts or images that can contribute to the narrative of Jewish life in Alberta, kindly consider bringing them to the archives. 

Jewish Edmonton has been a whirlwind of activity. We welcomed numerous fresh families to the community at the UJA Family Fund Day, co-sponsored by the Edmonton Jewish Community Charitable Foundation, and thank you to all of you who came out. I hope you enjoyed your afternoon at Fort Edmonton Park. Hillel had their official launch, a packed room of the campus community, again welcoming many new students to Edmonton. This weekend JAHSENA will debut the online catalog of its library collection, with an event at the Federation office from 12 to 2 p.m. 

Last weekend, the congregation invited me to give remarks from the bimah at Beth Israel, followed by a lovely kiddush in honour of the Federation staff and board. I quipped I am in the growth business—with a rise in antisemitism; we have had no shortage of activity keeping us busy in the office. The other growth business I am in is building community—and As One, we have seen how more and more people are staying involved, asking to volunteer, and remaining connected. Our community’s endurance relies on our commitment to strengthening it, as we have done for generations. 

While we are all marvelling at the audacity and ingenuity of the Mossad in preparing for an operation like we have seen this past week, the situation in northern Israel is a grave concern. Intense rockets have been launched at northern Israel since October 8, hitting 50 more homes in Metula and bringing the total to 300 homes. Over 60,000 residents remain displaced. While recent discussions with our partners have focused on whether people will go back to their homes and communities in the north, we are now equally concerned about whether they will even have homes to return to. 

When you light Shabbat candles tonight, please continue to say a prayer for the 101 hostages who remain in captivity in Gaza, and add one for the residents in our partner region, Etzbah HaGalil. 

On that note, a last plea—if you are not on social media, you may not be aware of the concerted and active campaign to boycott Indigo and abuse their IndigoKids logo, because of the owners’ support for Israel and their charitable activities. Let us show our solidarity for them and send a message to our adversaries by supporting a BUYCOTT on September 25, nationwide. 

As one, we are part of the Jewish people, our ties to one another and Israel steadfast.

Shabbat Shalom,

Stacey