March 4, 2022 | 1 Adar ll 5782

While Russian aggression in Ukraine continues unabated, a major humanitarian crisis is unfolding. Jewish Federations including Calgary Jewish Federation, our partners, the Israeli government, philanthropic foundations, and other organizations are working around the clock to deliver critical assistance, including helping the thousands of Jews attempting to leave the country. Please see this latest update on our collective efforts to help the Jewish community of Ukraine.

The situation is changing rapidly and you are encouraged to register and tune in for the next Ukraine Crisis Update webinar provided by our partners at Jewish Federations of North America (JNFA), hosted by National Young Leadership Cabinet, scheduled for Wednesday, March 9 at 10am MST.

If you would like to assist financially in mobilizing services on the ground and supporting our Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and The American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) partners, please donate online now. If you or someone you know is being directly impacted by the situation, please contact us or JFSC 403-287-3510 or email. You can also consult this guide on how to apply for an urgent visitor visa to Canada from Ukraine.

On Good Deeds Day, Calgary Jewish Federation and Paperny Family JCC are partnering together to create and donate 150 care packages to the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter. Please join us in this worthy endeavour by dropping off your donations at the JCC for this global day of tikkun olam on Sunday, April 3 from 1:00 to 2:30pm. View the list of requested items.

The Integrated Bursary Program makes the process of applying for financial support for Jewish educational and social experiences more dignified, anonymous, effective, and fair. All the schools, programs, and services covered by bursaries are on one application form, meaning the process is done one time for the entire year, for all family members. We believe that enabling families to participate in these experiences secures a bright future for Jewish Calgary, and we are grateful to Camp BB Riback, Halpern Akiva Academy, The Calgary Jewish Academy, and Paperny Family JCC for partnering with us in IBP. To learn more, visit our website. If you have specific questions, please contact us.

The end of February brought with it the conclusion of another successful Jewish Disabilities Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion (JDAIM) month. Each year, February is full of many exciting programs to highlight innovations in inclusion. In 2022, we engaged in a Community Drum Circle with Jennifer Buchanan of JB Music Therapy, hosted a photography exhibit: See Me - Tire Oti - תראה אותי and discussion with its photographer Hilary Gauld Camilleri, and conducted a virtual tour and visit with founders and members of Kishor-Kishorit, an amazing, fully inclusive kibbutz. We also reminded ourselves and renewed our pledge to keep working year round toward a fully inclusive Jewish Calgary. Thank you to our partners and todah to our community for supporting these efforts. For more information about our Inclusion programs and services, please contact Karina Szulc.