Edmonton UJA campaign event emphasizes unity: September 8

By Regan Treewater-Lipes

(AJNews) – The Edmonton Jewish community should mark their calendars for a very exciting Jewish Federation of Edmonton United Jewish Appeal Campaign Launch. “The purpose of this event is to create enthusiasm and support for our upcoming annual UJA fundraising campaign,” stated Susan Schiffman, Director of Development for the Jewish Federation. This year’s campaign theme is ‘As One’ and the sentiment is one that emphasizes the need for Jewish unity in these tumultuous times. With an inspiring keynote speaker and a vivacious performer, this is sure to be a delightful evening.

What will be especially inspiring is that attendees will hear keynote speaker Sarah Mali, Director General for Israel of Jewish Federations of Canada-United Israel Appeal. Mali visited Edmonton several months ago and passionately spoke to the community about how meaningful local support for Israel has been. Now, she will be returning to deliver an inspiring message of hope and revitalization.

“Our communities need each other in good times and in bad times,” expressed Mali in a recent Zoom interview with AJNews direct from Jerusalem. When asked about Alberta’s partnership supporting communities in Northern Israel, Mali commented that: “It’s a beautiful partnership.  It’s not merely technical regarding the philanthropic support and resources, it’s a deeply humanistic relationship.”

“The United Jewish Appeal Campaign ensures that the needs of our community continue to be met,  through various levels of activity and allocations, locally, nationally, and abroad. Our funding to Jewish Federations of Canada has ensured a strong and steady support to people and projects in Israel. I am thrilled that Sarah is able to join us again and shed light on the special relationship she and her team help maintain between Canada and Israel on our behalf, with an ongoing eye to strategic philanthropy,” says Stacey Leavitt-Wright, CEO Jewish Federation.

On Sunday, September 8, at the Fantasyland Hotel, following a kosher reception, Mali will address attendees and, as she put it: “Bring a bit of Israel to life.”  She continued, remarking: “I don’t sound Israeli, but I’ve been here for 24 years.  I want to bring some of the spirit of Israel to Canadian Jewish communities coast-to-coast honestly and relevantly.  This can serve as a touchpoint for our Jewish communities in Alberta.” Mali elaborated: “I think it is important to share how strong the communities across Israel can become because of generous philanthropic support; it’s crucial that we recognize this. I hope to tell a story of philanthropy that is shows beauty, courage and resourcefulness of the Israeli people,” she added with conviction.

A recent Hezbollah attack on Mevo’ot HaHermon Regional Council in the Upper Galilee has left a hydrotherapy centre in ruins. “This was a beautiful facility that serviced children with autism and physical disabilities, veterans, people being rehabilitated from serious injury,” explained Mali. “It was built over time with ongoing support from the Jewish federations across Canada. My point in mentioning this is that as soon as our Canadian partners heard about the drone attack, we were flooded by phone calls from Alberta.  This relationship is based on mutual love and care.”

Mali credits the local Jewish Federations with raising awareness. “What makes our philanthropic impact with the people of Israel so strong is that the Federations help navigate allocations so intelligently.”  Mali noted that resources have begun to transition from the immediacy of addressing the devastation of October 7, to providing for the more human needs of those whose day-to-day lives remain fractured by evacuations.

An example she cited was a heartfelt letter written by a grateful family that had been able to take a weekend sojourn in Jerusalem from their temporary housing accommodations because of Federation’s emergency dollars.  The letter described the unrelenting echoes of explosions and pierce of sirens, and then added that the family had been able to have their first full peaceful night’s sleep while in Jerusalem, since they were forced to leave their home.  As Mali read the letter, simultaneously translating from Hebrew, she became visibly emotional, and this honesty further emphasized the humanity of the compassionate work being done.

Mali added that: “We want to do justice to your care for Israel. It’s a somewhat umbilical connection; just as the blood flow would go both directions, so does the care.  We feel your care here, and when we hear about the antisemitism being experienced outside Israel our hearts are with you.”

Following Sarah Mali’s keynote address, the audience can look forward to the return of Shaina Silver-Baird.  If that name sounds familiar it is because she was a special celebrity guest at this past season’s Edmonton Jewish Film Festival and dazzled the audience with her captivating singing.  Her   film Less Than Kosher, was met with tremendous enthusiasm by Edmonton viewers, and Silver-Baird expressed in a recent interview with the Alberta Jewish News that the after-screening Q and A was one of the most dynamic and engaging she had ever attended.

Silver-Baird has selected her own lineup of music for the event.  “Every piece resonates in a Jewish way,” she explained. “The songs are either in Hebrew, Yiddish, or they were written and composed by a Jewish artist.  They all have something of the longing and resilience characteristic of the Jewish soul.  We are calling the performance ‘Songs with Jewish Soul.’  To me being Jewish has so much to do with enduring hardships and rising above. “

Silver-Baird was raised in a Reform Jewish family, and remains quite secular in her personal life, while still being very much tied to her Jewish identity.  “The theatre is my shul.  Sharing stories is a religious experience when done well.”  Just as Sarah Mali hopes to inspire Edmontonians to bear witness through the meaningful sharing of authentic stories, Silver-Baird will performatively share stories of artistic Jewish souls.

For those who fell in love with the foibles and outrageous antics of Aviva, Silver-Baird’s character in Less than Kosher, this event will be a great opportunity to meet the talented lady herself and pick up recordings of her folk and pop albums. As the vocalist for folk band Crooked House Road and pop group Ghost Caravan, Silver-Baird’s work showcases the diversity of her skill. She can also be followed on Instagram:: @shainasb (personal), or @lessthankoshertv.

This upcoming event has it all: nosh, entertainment, and a deep connection to Israel. Sunday, September 8 at 5:30 pm at the Fantasyland Hotel. Tickets $36 at Jewishedmonton.org.

Regan Treewater-Lipes is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.