
Jewish Federation of Edmonton CEO Stacey Leavitt-Wright
by Stacey Leavitt-Wright
(Edmonton) – As we celebrate Sukkot, a holiday that embodies community and the harvest, I want to reflect on the significance of our shared spaces. Sukkot invites us to dwell in temporary shelters, reminding us of the fragility of life and the importance of coming together. Our October 7 commemoration showed how impactful it is when we stand in community and take these moments to contemplate and be with one another.
Just as the sukkah serves as a gathering place for friends and family, our community eagerly anticipates embracing a new chapter with our Jewish Community Centre (JCC). The redevelopment committee is ensuring that a variety of versatile, multipurpose areas to accommodate many types of events and programs, reflecting the needs of the community.
To update you, we have secured a development permit, an important first step. We have established the key components based on feedback from community consultations and focus groups. The committee has worked with architects, engineers and a cost consultant over the summer. We are now awaiting the responses from a request for proposals (RFP) to secure a construction firm, with the goal of awarding this project within a month. Several grant applications have been made, both provincially and federally, and we expect those results by the new year.
As we continue to plan, we are also working towards establishing an endowment, whose funds will ensure that operational costs are reduced or covered in perpetuity. This new centre will not only be a physical space, but also a symbol of unity and resilience for us in the diaspora. It will host educational programs, cultural events, and social gatherings, fostering connections among generations. Similar to how the sukkah adorns itself with natural decorations that celebrate the bounty of the earth, our centre will actively reflect our diverse traditions and collective aspirations as a vibrant hub.
Together, we can cultivate a place that nurtures our Jewish identity and strengthens our bonds. This Sukkot, let us embrace the promise of what lies ahead, celebrating both the holiday and the bright future of our community.
Stacey Leavitt-Wright is CEO, Jewish Federation of Edmonton.
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