This summer internship at the Jewish Federation was my first full-time job in Canada. As many of you may know, I recently moved to Canada from Kazakhstan. I was fortunate to be part of the Canada Summer Jobs program this year, which opened opportunities for those the ages between 15 and 30, regardless of whether they were students.  

I had the privilege of being mentored by Tammy Vineberg, the Federation’s associate director of marketing and communications. I connected with Tammy through an immigrant-serving organization, Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC) when she volunteered to be my mentor. Please consider becoming a mentor for ERIEC, as they are seeking to match potential mentors with mentees. As soon as Tammy mentioned the opportunity in April, I eagerly applied, went through the interview process, and joined the team.  

This internship was my first experience working at a community-centered organization, and I thoroughly enjoyed every facet of the projects and assignments. The website, newsletters, and social media posts you see result from the work Tammy and I did together to ensure effective communication with you. Capturing photos and videos of you at all events and sharing your stories were profoundly impactful experiences, as they allowed me to engage directly with our audience—a unique aspect of external communications.  

A highlight of my work was organizing the Challah and Hummus: A welcome event for newcomers. I practiced project management, communication, and problem-solving skills. This was a valuable experience to add to my resume and portfolio. It was also rewarding to see the positive impact of bringing newcomers together and to receive feedback from attendees who felt welcomed and supported.  

On a personal note, I want to emphasize the compassionate nature of Edmonton’s Jewish community. Although I am not Jewish, the support I have received from you has shown me that your community is inclusive and caring. As one of my story interviewees said, please keep investing in your community because it is the lifeline for the members to thrive and build something truly meaningful.  

One way to invest is through the annual United Jewish Appeal (UJA) campaign. We encourage both new and established community members to attend the upcoming events, including the UJA Launch on Sunday, September 8 and Family Fun Day at Fort Edmonton Park on Sunday, September 15. Seeing firsthand the dedication that goes into these fundraising efforts, Susan Schiffman and Jenn Magalnick have prepared engaging programming for you all to enjoy.  

I have seen the hard work going into the Jewish Community Centre (JCC) redevelopment project. Stacey, Marshall Hundert, and the steering committee are all committed to making this initiative an achievement. I know you will successfully complete the JCC on time, and it will become a place for all of you to share and celebrate countless incredible moments together.  

Shabbat Shalom,  

Makhabbat