Calgary Jewish Federation has Summer Momentum: Building Community, Looking Ahead

By Rob Nagus

(Calgary) – Summer is often seen as a quieter season, but at Calgary Jewish Federation it has been anything but. As we prepare for an exciting fall, the past month has been filled with meaningful moments that celebrate our community, strengthen our future, and remind us why Federation matters.

Our annual Spuds and Suds Stampede breakfast was once again a tremendous success, welcoming more than 700 Jewish community members and allies for a boot-stomping good time. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces alongside new ones, all coming together to celebrate Calgary’s greatest tradition with great food, lively conversation, and plenty of community spirit. Events like these remind us that one of Federation’s greatest strengths is our ability to bring people together and create connections that endure long after the last pancake has been served.

Behind the scenes, we’ve also been putting the finishing touches on something that will help shape the future of Jewish Calgary for years to come. Our new Strategic Plan is in its final stages and will be unveiled as part of our campaign launch on September 7 during Walk with Israel. This plan reflects months of thoughtful collaboration with community members, volunteers, partners, and staff, and provides a clear roadmap for meeting the evolving needs of our growing community while strengthening Jewish life across Calgary. A special thank you to our Strategic Planning Committee for their leadership and guidance throughout the process.

Walk with Israel promises to be one of the highlights of the year. It will be a day filled with joy, pride, and unity as we gather to celebrate our connection to Israel and to one another. This year’s event will include a vibrant Israel Shuk as well as a family carnival featuring activities, games, food, and fun for everyone. We encourage everyone to invite friends, neighbours, and colleagues, both Jewish and non-Jewish, to walk alongside us in support of our community and our shared values. Every participant sends a powerful message that Calgary is a place where friendship, understanding, and solidarity flourish.

As we look ahead, we are also preparing for what promises to be an ambitious campaign year. The needs within our community continue to grow, from supporting families and young adults, to enhancing security, combating antisemitism, strengthening Jewish identity, welcoming newcomers, and deepening our connection with Israel. Our new strategic vision gives us an exciting path forward, but achieving it will require the generosity, partnership, and commitment of our entire community. Together, we have an opportunity not simply to respond to today’s challenges, but to build an even stronger Jewish future for tomorrow.

There is a beautiful teaching in Pirkei Avot that says: “It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.” Every generation inherits the responsibility to strengthen the Jewish community for those who come next. We may not accomplish everything in a single year, but every act of generosity, every volunteer hour, every event attended, and every new relationship built becomes part of something much larger than ourselves.

Thank you for being part of that journey. We look forward to celebrating with you at Walk with Israel and embarking together on an exciting new chapter for Calgary Jewish Federation.

B’Shalom.

Rob Nagus is CEO, Calgary Jewish Federation.