July 17, 2020 | 25 Tammuz 5780

Saturday, July 18 marks the bombing of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) in Buenos Aires 26 years ago. That dark day remains the deadliest terrorist attack in Argentinean history. After more than a quarter century, the investigation into the attack is still ongoing and justice remains elusive for the families of the 85 innocent victims murdered in 1994. CIJA’s Nico Slobinsky and Graciela Najenson from Winnipeg Jewish Federation share their personal stories around the AMIA bombing and reflect on how it has impacted their life mission of advocating for the Jewish community in Canada.

Alberta Health Services is now allowing clergy members to visit patients in the hospitals . You can receive visits from Community Chaplain Sari Shernofsky (403-830-5920) and/or your rabbi. Visits must be initiated by the patient or a family member. The hospital unit managers will contact the requested individual and arrange the visit.

There may not have been a Calgary Stampede this year but that did not stop PJ Library® from hosting PJ Tot Shabbat Stampede Special – COVID Edition. Little ones from ages six weeks to eight years old donned their cowboy hats, yelled "yahoo", and added a western feel to the traditional brachot and shabbat songs. Virtual PJ Tot Shabbat happens every Friday at 10am with parents and grandparents from Calgary to Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, and Palm Springs – all coming together to celebrate shabbat on Zoom. Please email Kathie Wainer for more information about PJ Library, especially if you would like to join in on the magic of virtual PJ Tot Shabbat. You are never too old or young to join us!

On July 10, Kesher hosted a special program to celebrate Stampede with a wonderful virtual show called: Horses , written and performed by Allan Merovitz. We all enjoyed Allan's songs and stories about the Jewish connection with horses. As well, he shared about the "Official White Cowboy Hat of Calgary" and it's creator, Morris Shumiatcher, founder of Smithbilt Hats. For more information about Inclusion in Calgary's Jewish community, please email Karina Szulc.