A message from  Becky Saegert, Jewish Federation of Edmonton

Tzedakah is personal. When we give together it is transformational.

by Becky Saegert

(Edmonton) – When my son was in kindergarten, I spoke with his class about tzedakah. Since they were so young, we began by talking about how good it feels to help someone else. I hope that in time those children will understand that some gifts don’t only help other people, they strengthen our entire community and everyone in it. Those gifts help all of us, even if we are donors ourselves. This is the essence of the United Jewish Appeal (UJA).

As someone who now helps steward donor dollars for our community, one thing is clear to me: when we give together, we create an impact greater than what any of us could accomplish on our own.

Jewish Federation’s unique vantage point enables us to see the full spectrum of needs and opportunities across the community, and to take on new and urgent needs as they evolve. Together, we can tackle complex issues and create opportunities for connection and belonging that foster a sense of belonging. At a time when so many would divide us, this has never been more important.

You can also make an impact in perpetuity by endowing your gift.

In addition to the UJA, we work with donors year-round to help them realize their long-term philanthropic goals. If supporting the community is important to you during your lifetime, the Edmonton Jewish Community Charitable Foundation can help you establish a permanent legacy of community support. Endowing your annual UJA gift is easier to do than you might expect and ensures that you will continue making an impact in perpetuity.

As we start 5787, we have an opportunity not just to think about what the year to come holds for us, our families, and our community, but what actions we will take to shape what matters most.

What part can I play in repairing the world? What values will I prioritize? How will I lead with my heart? The answers lie in the individual actions and collective impact we make through our UJA gift—because when we support our community together, it’s personal and it’s transformational.

 Becky Saegert is the senior strategic director of development at the Jewish Federation of Edmonton.