Jewish Edmonton’s support for Israel grows stronger than ever. The partnership between the Jewish Federation of Edmonton and Tel-Hai College, now the University of the Galilee, stands as a shining beacon of the strengthened ties with Israel. 

In light of October 7 events, Michal Raikin, chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of the Galilee, and Eli Cohen, Director General of the same institution, visited Edmonton to underscore the critical role and resilience of northern Israel, sharing personal and powerful stories of the ongoing conflict.  

Michal’s three sons joined the army in the first days of the war, so did her son-in-law. Eli continues to face displacement due to the conditions in the north. With firsthand experiences, they came to share their stories and show the ramifications of the unfolding war in Israel. “There are moments when I ask myself: do you remember how life was before October 7?” she says. 

Michal expresses her gratitude for the Federation’s support, saying, “I have to say that your Federation was one of the first to come to our region after October 7, which is very strong considering that some people even in Israel are frightened to come to our area.” 

Eli also highlights the strength of relations: “Our relationships have always been strong, and they grew stronger during the war. "These challenging times are strengthening real friendship bonds. The relations with your federation are just getting stronger, and we understand that this is more than just a relationship,” adds Michal. 

At the core of these relations lie the unbreakable connection and sacred bond between all Jews in the world. Thousands of miles could be crossed to greet each other in person and have in-depth conversations about the rising hatred towards the Israeli state, and Jews’ right to establish their homeland. “We are in tough times in Israel, but Jewish communities in the world are also in tough times. This is a time when we must be together and fight antisemitism and those who want to destroy Israel,” says Eli. 

Driven by a community bond that spans borders, Michal believes that one of her most important roles as a leader is to hold and bring hope. She firmly believes that Israel will emerge stronger. “Our region will grow, flourish, and things will be even better. But we must dream it and draw the future picture, and Tel-Hai is a significant part of this picture.”