JAHSENA launches new book on community leaders

By Regan Lipes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Audrey’s Books, a cozy independent downtown literary hot spot, was the intimate venue for an exciting Edmonton book launch on May 27 during Jewish Heritage Month. Traffic may have been ghastly, but the Edmonton Jewish community came out in force to show their support and pick up their own copies of Leadership and Legacy: Notable Jewish Edmontonians, hot off the presses. The book’s official debut attracted members from all of Edmonton’s congregations and unaffiliated community members as well. Additionally, there was a noticeable representation of local academics highlighting the significance of this new publication not just as important to a Jewish readership, but as a historical and cultural resource.

Stacey Leavitt-Wright, CEO of Jewish Federation of Edmonton delivered welcoming remarks, and hearty congratulations were extended to Debby Shoctor who authored the manuscript. Shoctor, who needs no introduction, and has been a staple of the Edmonton Jewish community for many decades, was called to the podium with a lengthy and comprehensive bio that summarized an impressive resume of service and accolades. Her work in researching and writing was supported by the Jewish Archives and Historical Society of Edmonton and Northern Alberta (JAHASENA) and the Jewish Federation of Edmonton. Celebrated children’s author Debby Waldman served on the book’s editorial board along with Shoctor.

During the well-attended event, with limited time to showcase the contributions of all the Jewish Edmontonian’s anthologized in the volume, Shoctor gave guests a small taste of the book’s highlights. “In these pages, you will find stories of leaders in our community who have left lasting legacies in the city, for both the Jewish and non-Jewish people who live here. These are stories of men and women, business leaders, politicians, professionals, educators, and volunteers, religious and not, both Jewish and not, whose Jewish identity, either inherited or gained by lived experience, has informed their lives, and therefore their legacy to us. Their stories reflect the history of Edmonton’s Jewish community, and other Jewish communities in Canada” (7).

Edmonton lost a tremendous leader when Gillian Horwitz passed in 2025. The void left in her absence is still being felt as her contribution to Holocaust education is acknowledged and trumpeted at community and scholarly gatherings. “She served as both host and emcee for annual Yom HaShoah and Kristallnacht ceremonies for many years, ensuring that commemoration remained a living, inclusive civic act” (31). Alberta Jewish News was on the scene in 2023 when Horwitz was recognized for her positive impact with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal alongside a diverse group of honourees, emphasizing her contribution to both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities. “Gillian’s passing marked the close of a remarkable chapter in Edmonton’s communal history” (35).  Horwitz, who never missed Jewish Studies Week at the Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European studies was a crucial part of developing the Saul and Toby Reichert Holocaust Lecture Series, and the void left in her absence was noted in an address by Dr. Dominique Kirchner during this event in late 2025.

Dr. Eric Schloss and his wife Elexis (OBM) also have a chapter dedicated to their work within the Jewish community and beyond. Dr. Schloss was in attendance for the book launch, to the delight of all present. “In the tapestry of Edmonton’s cultural and social history, few figures stand out as prominently for their humanitarian engagement and deep communal roots as Dr. Eric Schloss and Elexis Conn Schloss. Together they built lives defined not by self-interest, but by service – extending from local institutions in Alberta to humanitarian projects abroad, grounding their civic engagement in a proud Jewish heritage” (145). When entering the elegant atrium of Beth Israel Synagogue, Elexis Scloss’s legacy can still be felt reflected in the aesthetically captivating and impressive design choices. “Elexis’ lifelong passion was in service to her community and helping those in need through projects too numerous to mention” (151).  Dr. Eric Schloss’ impressive career in medicine was very much a result of being steered toward the sciences by English professor Dr. Henry Kreisel, a Holocaust survivor. This is a lovely story that Dr. Schloss previously shared with the Alberta Jewish News, and that is also immortalized by Shoctor. Dr. Schloss is a history buff and voracious book worm who impressively continues to write prolifically.

A third exciting inclusion in the manuscript is Senator Paula Simons. An Edmonton-raised, Stanford University educated career journalist, Paula Simons has been a Senator, sharing time between Edmonton and Ottawa, since 2018. “Simons described the transition from journalism to the Senate as significant, but not contradictory. She characterized her Senate role as an extension of the same civic engagement that had animated her journalism: examining evidence, questioning assumptions, and ensuring that public institutions functioned responsibly” (160). It was these same core values of critical thinking and global citizenship that she emphasized to a group of Comparative Literature students as a guest lecture presenter at MacEwan University in September of 2023. “Simons represents a model of public service grounded in inquiry, memory, and institutional responsibility. Her trajectory from newsroom to Senate chamber illustrates how professional rigor and historical awareness can be carried into the highest levels of Canadian public life” (164).  For anyone fortunate enough to have taken part in one of Senator Simons’ local history walking-tours, her commitment to the Jewish community, Edmonton, and Canadian values is evident and instantly apparent.

The book launch was a marvelous celebration of the culmination of Debby Shoctor’s efforts, and the author remained on site to sign copies of the manuscript for those who were interested. The volume is an impressive consolidation of some, but not all, of the Jewish community’s most visible trailblazers. Readers can purchase their copy today and learn more about Edmonton’s community shaping families.

“Although some of these individuals have never made their Jewish identity the most visible part of their public personas, their heritage quietly informs their worldview, especially their sense of community, belonging, and ethical purpose” (10).

Mazel tov to these incredibly inspiring Jewish Edmontonians, and many thanks to Shoctor for sharing their stories. To purchase the book contact jahsena@shaw.ca.