Alberta celebrates Jewish Heritage Month

By Regan Lipes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(AJNews) – May was Jewish Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the Jewish communities of Canada and the United States and pay tribute to the major ways the Jewish leaders have helped to positively shape North America.  “As we mark Jewish Heritage Month, we are reminded of the importance of sharing our story – both within our community and with the broader public. I want to thank filmmaker Len Pearl for his initiative to have monuments across Canada lit up on May 20, including the Alberta Legislature, in recognition of Jewish contributions and presence. These moments of visibility matter deeply,” noted Stacey Leavitt-Wright, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton. “We continue to build the pathways that sustain and grow our community.”

In a statement published on May 1, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture announced Canada’s commitment to its significant and socially productive Jewish citizens: “Canada is home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the world after Israel, the United States and France. Since the 18th century, Jewish people of different ethnocultural backgrounds have contributed to Canada’s society through their expertise in a wide range of fields, including medicine, science, philosophy, arts and business. At the same time, antisemitism remains a reality in Canada today and we must remain united in confronting it. During Canadian Jewish Heritage Month, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that all Jewish Canadians are able to practise their faith and express their culture freely, safely and without fear. One year after the National Forum on Combatting Antisemitism in March 2025, we remain more determined than ever to ensuring that Jewish people in Canada can safely express their faith, culture and identity as we continue to implement the national commitments made at the forum, with all levels of government and partners.”

Miller concluded by saying: “Canadian Jewish Heritage Month is also an opportunity to recognize the resilience of diverse Jewish communities and their enduring commitment to building a more inclusive and compassionate society. To honour this, let’s celebrate the bonds that unite us all and reaffirm our empathy and resilience. These values make us stronger as a country.”

This month, Alberta did its part to encourage inclusivity, celebration and compassion, demonstrating that our Jewish communities do not live in fear. The annual Edmonton Jewish Film Festival enjoyed another year of great patronage celebrating Jewish contributions to the silver screen. Chabad of Edmonton held an impressive and enjoyable Lag B’Omer event at Westridge Park. The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Holocaust Education Symposium was held thanks to the great efforts of Jennifer Magalnick and her team or organizers. Jewish Family Services Edmonton hosted a free screening of Shrek to build community and help new arrivals form connections with other Jewish families. Beth Israel Synagogue hosted well-attended community lectures and a midnight Shavuot BBQ. The Edmonton Jewish community welcomed the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper at the 2026 Negev Gala, masterfully organized and coordinated by Jay Cairns. Jewish Heritage Month wrapped up in the City of Champions with the launch of Leadership and Legacy: Notable Jewish Edmontonians, authored by Debby Shoctor and supported by the Jewish Federation of Edmonton and the Jewish Archives and Historical Society of Edmonton and Northern Alberta.

In Calgary, The Jewish Historical Society of Southern Alberta has an excellent rotating display on exhibit at the Paperny Family JCC and a special online exhibit is also available. Their new publication Building Community: Historical Traces of Jewish Calgary was released at the end of April and copies are available for purchase at jhssa.org. From May 4 – 15, Calgary’s Jewish Federation in partnership with Calgary Public Library, hosted over 2800 high school students from Calgary and surrounding areas to the annual Holocaust Education Symposium. Alongside survivor and descendant testimonies, the program featured interactive presentations on the Holocaust and antisemitism by Dr. George Dalbo and Logan Greene of ‘Echoes and Reflections’ a leading Holocaust education initiative supported by Yad Vashem, USC Shoah Foundation and the ADL. Federation also hosted the Project Heroes Concert on May 12, and a thought-provoking lecture “The New Middle East: Voices of the Abraham Accord” on May 17. A special luncheon was held to celebrate Shavuot for Holocaust survivors, as well as a floral workshop to festively mark the holiday. Folk-singer Ezra Ben Shalom performed in Calgary on May 26 with another show in Edmonton on the 28. On May 31 Canadian Friends of Magen David Adom Calgary Chapter hosted an amazing Stampede with Purpose Gala where the purpose is saving lives in Israel. The event featured great entertainment, a delicious meal and keynote speakers Peace with Israel Arab advocate Loay Alshareef and Uri Shacham Deputy Director and Chief of Staff at Magen David Adom.

Perhaps in reality it was community and togetherness as always for Jewish Alberta, but certainly the abundance of activity and enrichment in May emphasizes that Jewish life is alive and flourishing.

Perhaps Jewish Heritage Month is a more of an opportunity for outreach than introspection, when the Jewish community can welcome its allies and friends to ask questions, learn more, and grow in their appreciation of Jewish innovation in social justice, culture, the arts, technology, humanitarian revitalization, and industry.