Poignant event kicks off Edmonton 2024 UJA Campaign

By Regan Treewater

(Edmonton) – The evening of September 8 at the Fantasyland Hotel marked a United Jewish Appeal (UJA) annual campaign kickoff that showcased true unity within the Edmonton community, and a shared hope for the future. After nearly a year of praying for the safe return of hostages brutally kidnapped from Israel and forcibly imprisoned in Gaza, Jewish communities around the world remain committed to battling global surges of antisemitism and hate. There will always be a shadow cast by the losses of October 7th, and all that have suffered in its wake. The celebratory mood at the UJA event was certainly impacted by the recent discovery of six murdered hostages whose remains were found in a tunnel in Rafah’s neighborhood of Tal Al Sultan, but the resolve of those who gathered for the auspicious event were even more committed to their shared cause of support for Israel and international advocacy for Jews.

“We must find a way to transform our grief into strength,” emphasized Sarah Mali, Director General of Canadas Jewish Federations. The British-born Israeli traveled from her home-base in Jerusalem to give the keynote address of the evening before continuing westward to engage more Jewish communities across the nation.

Thanks to the efforts of organizers at the Jewish Federation of Edmonton led by Susan Schiffman, and orchestrated by the planning committee made up of volunteers: Rebecca Asbell, Courtney Gleiberman, and Anika Zepp, the atmosphere was elegant and dignified with diverse attendance. Lovely hors d’oeuvres, kosher supervision provided by Chabad Lubavitch of Edmonton, were circulated by friendly Fantasyland Hotel staff, as guests partook of wine and refreshments. Community members mingled, greeting friends and swapping the latest and greatest.

Rabbi Ari Drelich opened the evening with the blowing of a shofar so that everyone could partake in the mitzvah of hearing its tone. Steven Shafir was honoured this year for his exemplary contributions to the Jewish community as the recipient of the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Kavod Award. He professed his commitment to Israel and the Jewish people and pledged his support for the UJA’s 2024 campaign, titled: ‘As One.’

Farrel Shadlyn, co-chair of Edmonton’s UJA Campaign spoke in glowing terms about the commitment and dedication that Shafir has shown in his many years on the board of Jewish Federation of Edmonton. He lovingly referred to Shafir as Jewish Federation of Edmonton’s President for Life.

The evening’s keynote-speaker was profoundly moving, and as she spoke audience members became visibly emotional. Mali explained that her 13-year-old daughter, who was born in Canada and lives in Israel, recently went to the beach with her friends. She was at first delighted to enjoy the sun and spend time sharing laughs and smiles. Then, it dawned on her that not too far away, hostages were still being held in abhorrent conditions and her initial mirth became overshadowed. The example was intended to illustrate that Israeli society is slowly attempting to heal and find equilibrium again, however, the knowledge that hostages are still enduring torture weighs heavily on the shared national consciousness.

“Mommy, I really thought Hersh would come home,” sobbed Mali’s daughter after learning that the 23-year-old American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin had been murdered.

Mali’s words resonated with attendees as she explained that UJA donations do so much to help Israel rebuild and heal. With the exponential rise in seniors’ deaths after October 7th, and the explosion of mental health crises, there seems to be no end to the immediate necessity for recourses.

Canadian contributions to the philanthropic effort continue to be among the highest in the world, and for this Mali expressed visibly heartfelt gratitude on behalf of Israelis. She travels to Northern Israel regularly and sees the devastation that is still being inflicted on the region and its inhabitants. With so many families displaced from their homes, not knowing when they will be able to return, it is difficult to imagine life in other areas of the country approaching normalcy.

Following the impactful words of Mali, actress and musical artist Shaina Silver-Baird took to the stage. Connoisseurs of Canadian-Jewish cinema may remember her as the co-creator and leading lady in Less Than Kosher which was screened with rave reviews at the Edmonton Jewish Film Festival.

For the UJA launch event, she curated a selection of music to showcase the depths and dimensions of the Jewish soul. Some of the works were original pieces, and others were created by acclaimed Jewish artists. She may be petite in stature, but her voice powerfully filled the banquet hall with passion and texture. Notably among her set was a more sentimental rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Dance Me to the End of Love.” She joked: “Leonard Cohen is like the patron saint of the Jewish soul.” The song, written about the orchestra that played in Auschwitz-Birkenau, was even more poignant as audience members considered the current rise in global antisemitism.

Perhaps most touching, and unifying, was her performance of “Ha Tikvah” when Silver-Baird invited her audience to join her. “This next song isn’t in the program,” she began, “but I invite you to join in.” With this, as soon as her incredibly talented accompanying pianist, Chris Andrews, began to play, all in attendance rose from their seats and joined voices in hopeful unity for Israel.

Even for those who were not able to attend this inspiring evening, this is still ample opportunity to contribute to this year’s UJA campaign ‘As One,’ by contacting Susan Schiffman at SusanS@edjfed.org or give online at JewishEdmonton.org.

Regan Treewater is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter