A Message from Rob Nagus, CEO Calgary Jewish Federation

Dear Community Members,

As we prepare to welcome Rosh HaShanah and the start of 5786, I want to extend heartfelt wishes to you and your loved ones for a year filled with health, meaning, and blessing. The High Holidays offer us a moment of reflection and renewal — an opportunity to celebrate the richness of our tradition, strengthen our bonds with one another, and reaffirm our shared commitment to building a vibrant Jewish future here in Calgary.

This year, our 2025 UJA Campaign holds special significance. As the needs of our community continue to grow, so too does our responsibility to ensure that no one is left behind. From supporting families and seniors, to strengthening Jewish education, to ensuring Holocaust remembrance and fighting antisemitism, your generosity enables us to meet these challenges with resilience and hope.

Calgary Jewish Federation is committed to ensuring the safety, well-being, and resilience of our Jewish community. As part of our mission to advocate for our community and combat antisemitism, we are pleased to share two important updates:

1. New Antisemitism Reporting Mechanism

To better track, monitor, and respond to incidents of antisemitism, we have launched a new confidential local reporting mechanism, designed to complement our national advocacy partner the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs’ (CIJA) reporting tool.

If you experience or witness antisemitism in any form — whether in person, online, or through another channel — we encourage you to report it using this simple online form on our website at jewishcalgary.org/report-an-antisemitic-incident

Even if you are unsure whether an incident qualifies as a hate crime or hate-motivated activity, we urge you to submit a report to be safe. Your information helps us build a clearer understanding of what our local community is facing and enables us to respond appropriately — through advocacy, education, and support.

Whether something happens in the classroom, in the workplace, or anywhere in our city, please know that you are not alone. Every report strengthens our ability to protect, support, and stand with one another.

2. CIJA Opens an Alberta Office – Recruiting a Vice-President

We are also pleased to share that we are actively moving forward alongside the CIJA on establishing a new office in Alberta. This important step will enhance advocacy and support for the Jewish community in our province.

CIJA is currently recruiting for the position of Vice-President, Alberta, based in either Edmonton or Calgary. This senior leadership role will focus on advancing the interests of Alberta’s Jewish community through government relations, strategic communications, and collaboration with community partners. Interested candidates can submit a cover letter and resume to recruitment@cija.ca.

Together, we are not only preserving the strength of our community today, but also laying the foundation for the generations to come.

On behalf of Calgary Jewish Federation, thank you for being a vital partner in this work. May the year ahead bring sweetness, peace, and fulfillment to you and your family.

Shanah Tovah U’Metukah.

Rob Nagus is Chief Executive Officer Calgary Jewish Federation