December 10, 2021 | 6 Tevet 5782

Calling all PJ Our Way® Tweens in Calgary, Rochester NY, Toronto, and Winnipeg! Join us for our online workshop with author Catherine Newman of the wildly popular book, How to be a Mensch on Sunday, December 12 at 2:00pm. She will discuss "How Words Matter: Saying it Right", and answer any questions you may have. This free program is for tweens ages nine to 12. Registration is required by email to Kathie Wainer. Zoom link and additional information will be provided with registration confirmation.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and especially during the introduction and enforcement of public health regulations and vaccination requirements, we have seen ignorant and inaccurate comparisons to the Holocaust. Calgary Jewish Federation has denounced these comparisons from the outset, and continues to work with government at all levels, as well as law enforcement partners on this issue.

Clearly, any comparisons of COVID measures and vaccines to the Holocaust are extremely misguided and harmful. The comparisons do not make any historical or factual sense. They offend our community, minimise the lived experiences of our Survivors, and evoke fear and disgust in the use of traumatizing and threatening symbols. The most recent incident to surface involves Calgary Police Service Constable Brian Denison, who posted several video rants on social media, parts of which connect CPS' vaccination policies to the atrocities of the Holocaust. We were immediately in contact with CPS (who issued their own statement), and they were incredibly responsive, including supportive correspondence with Chief Neufeld and other senior staff with whom we regularly engage. CPS has a zero tolerance policy on this issue, and will continue to work with Calgary Jewish Federation to ensure its officers are informed and educated regarding the Holocaust and its unique and horrific lessons.

This year, Calgary Jewish Federation offered a number of great events to celebrate Chanukah – many of them in partnership our community's synagogues. Hillel and Chabad offered an interfaith Chanukah on Campus with 30 students and faculty members in attendance. JAC partnered with Beth Tzedec Congregation, Kehilat Shalom, and Temple B'nai Tikvah's Young Professional groups for Sfinge and Spirits: Morrocan Doughnut Making with Angy Cohen that was attended by 30 people. Fifteen children, parents, and grandparents celebrated Chanukah with songs and brachot at our PJ Library® Virtual Tot Shabbat Chanukah Edition. PJ Library distributed 180 Chanukah@Home bags filled with resources, candles, dreidels, crafts, and Chanukah cookie kits. PJ Library, together with Beth Tzedec Congregation and Kesher celebrated the Fourth Night of Chanukah with 25 families who enjoyed brachot with Jonah, a Chanukah sing-along with Karina, and hands-on Chanukah cookie baking with Zuli and PJ Library. Our Kesher members also gathered in person and online for Food for the Soul: Chanukah Edition Latke Lunch and Learn. All of these events would not be made possible without the generous support of our community members and for that we say todah rabah!

Mazel Tov to Stacy Shaikin for recently being appointed as Regional Director for BBYO Northwest Canada. Many of you will know Stacy from his dedicated and talented work as Director of Camp BB Riback, and he will now have an opportunity to engage even more deeply with our teens in Jewish young leadership programming. Stacy will maintain his Camp role, as well as leading BBYO regionally. He can be reached by email with comments, questions, or offers of support. We are so pleased to see BBYO in such capable and committed hands, and look forward to seeing BBYO flourish under his leadership. Kol hakavod!