A message from Diana Kalef, Interim Executive Director Calgary Jewish Federation

by Diana Kalef

(Calgary) – I am honoured to serve as Calgary Jewish Federation’s Interim Executive Director. For those who may not know me, I have been a Jewish community professional since 2002 and have served as the Director of Development in recent years. With Adam Silver’s departure, I recognize the significant responsibility of this role while we search for a new CEO. I am incredibly proud of our Federation staff, who continue to deliver outstanding programming and community offerings, even during the summer months typically reserved for planning and UJA preparations.

As we transition into summer mode, we also enter a period of reflection and sorrow on the Jewish calendar. From the Fast of Tammuz through the three-week mourning period leading to Tisha B’Av, we are reminded of the profound significance these days hold in our heritage, especially given the challenges facing Israel. The Fast of Tammuz, which commemorates the breaching of Jerusalem’s walls, highlights the fragility of our security and underscores the need for vigilance and unity in adversity. Tisha B’Av, a day of mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples and other major tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people, calls on us to bridge the political, religious, and social divides that often fragment our society. We must seek common ground, foster mutual respect and understanding, and collectively work to heal our wounds and build a more cohesive and compassionate community.

In these days of mourning and reflection, we must learn from our past to address the challenges of our current reality. Let us continue to pray for peace, engage in acts of kindness, and commit to the unity and resilience that will ensure a brighter future for us all.

To conclude, I invite you to join us on Sunday, July 28 for the Walk With Israel, where our Jewish community – along with many of our allies – will walk together in solidarity and pride. Spread the word and let’s show up in great numbers. For more information about this event and to register for free, visit cjsu.ca. I hope to see you there!

B’Shalom.

Diana Kalef is Interim Executive Director, Calgary Jewish Federation.