A message from Rob Nagus, CEO Calgary Jewish Federation

by Rob Nagus

(Calgary) – There is so much happening at Calgary Jewish Federation these days that it is difficult to know where to begin. From our annual Holocaust Education Symposium reaching nearly 3,000 Calgary high school students, to the inspiring visit from the Sharaka delegation who shared powerful messages about building bridges between faith communities, to the excitement surrounding the final stages of our new strategic plan, this has been a month filled with impact, purpose, and optimism.

While all of these initiatives are deeply meaningful, I would like to reflect on a recent experience that left a particularly profound impression on me.

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to visit Camp BB Riback alongside my colleague Stacey Levitt-Wright from the Jewish Federation of Edmonton. Camp was hosting BBYO’s annual Spring Convention, bringing together an incredible group of young Jewish leaders from across the region.

For those who may not know, BBYO played a transformative role in my own Jewish journey. As part of a question-and-answer session with the group, we discussed everything from antisemitism and Jewish identity to where we find our Jewish joy and what motivates our work in the community. One question, however, stayed with me long after the conversation ended.

A participant asked how my time in BBYO (in the late 1990s) helped shape me as a Jewish leader.

As I began answering, I found myself unexpectedly emotional.

When my family moved from Montreal to Edmonton before grade 9, I struggled to find my place. During my first year in BBYO, it felt as though everyone already knew one another, and I often felt like an outsider. But my mother encouraged me to stay involved. Then, after grade 9, when I wanted to return to my childhood summer camp in Quebec, she insisted that I attend Camp BB Riback instead so that I could build friendships in Alberta.

That decision changed my life.

At camp, I found friendships that remain some of my closest relationships to this day. Returning home, I became deeply involved in BBYO and gradually began taking on leadership roles. Simply volunteering and putting myself forward gave me confidence. It taught me to take risks, to trust my abilities, and to find my voice. Little by little, I realized that not only could I lead, but that I genuinely loved doing it.

The confidence and sense of belonging I gained through Jewish youth leadership helped shape the person I am today. It instilled in me a lifelong connection to Jewish community and ultimately helped guide me toward a career dedicated to serving our community. Reflecting on that journey in front of the next generation of Jewish leaders was one of the most meaningful moments of my professional life.

Experiences like these remind us why investing in Jewish youth is so essential. The leaders of tomorrow are sitting in our camps, youth groups, classrooms, and community programs today. The opportunities we create for them now will shape the future of Jewish Calgary for decades to come.

Speaking of the future, I could not be more excited to welcome our incoming Shinshinim (Israeli emissaries), Noam and Adva, at the end of the summer. Shinshinim are remarkable young Israelis who dedicate a year of service to Jewish communities around the world before beginning their military service in Israel. Over the coming year, Noam and Adva will bring their energy, passion, leadership, and firsthand Israeli perspectives to our community as they work alongside our organizations, synagogues, schools, camps, and youth groups. Their presence will help strengthen our connection to Israel while inspiring the next generation of Jewish leaders. We are counting down the days until their arrival and look forward to introducing them to all of you in the months ahead.

Thank you for being part of this vibrant and growing community. Together, we continue to build a Jewish Calgary that is strong, connected, and full of possibility.

B’Shalom.

Rob Nagus is CEO Calgary Jewish Federation