Dear Community Members,

As it finally starts to feel like spring, we are pleased to bring you an update on all that we’ve been up to at Federation.

In the last week of April, we marked Yom HaShoah with events throughout the week. On April 24, we held our Annual Holocaust Memorial Service in partnership with Congregation Etz Chayim, Jewish Child and Family Service, and March of the Living – the first in-person Holocaust commemoration event we have held since the beginning of the pandemic. We joined Holocaust survivors, elected officials, and community members in remembering the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. We appreciate the heartfelt remarks from MP Jim Carr, Minister Andrew Smith, and Mayor Brian Bowman.

We were honoured to be invited to the Manitoba Legislature on Yom HaShoah where Minister Andrew Smith made a ministerial statement for Yom HaShoah. We would like to thank the Minister, as well as MLA Dougald Lamont and MLA Diljeet Brar for their reflections on Yom HaShoah, citing the importance of Holocaust remembrance and education.

On Tuesday, we remembered Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism at our community’s Yom Hazikaron ceremony. We must never forget the sacrifices that have continued to guarantee the safety and security of Israel, and those who sacrificed so much to defend and protect our ancestral homeland.

Yesterday evening, we celebrated Yom Ha'atzmaut, marking 74 years since the founding of the State of Israel. The energy at last night’s event was electric, as we enjoyed Israeli dance and live music, followed by an outdoor party and fireworks.

As our community returns to more in-person working, learning, and activities, it was an ideal time to provide security training to the staff of organizations in our community, as well as perform audits on our physical infrastructure. We would like to thank Gerry Almendrades, Director of National Community Security at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, for facilitating this training and supporting our community’s security efforts.

There are many exciting things on the horizon. This coming Tuesday, please join us for our information evening for our 2022 Mission to Israel, chaired by Gustavo Zentner. Over the course of the ten-day mission, you'll experience the North and South and everything in between, enjoying classic Israeli cuisine and meetings with journalists, elected officials, and much more. To learn more, register for the information evening here.

We also want you to know of the upcoming arrival of Ukrainians coming on a chartered flight in mid May. Although we don’t have the particulars at the moment, please watch for details in the coming weeks as volunteers will be needed. 

Join us as we celebrate the many contributions of volunteers and leaders in our community at the annual Kavod Evening, on Tuesday, May 31 at 7:30 pm at Congregation Shaarey Zedek. We look forward to recognizing the dedication and commitment of all these amazing volunteers. Seats are limited, so please register early. The event will also be livestreamed. If you would like to congratulate one of the honourees, please consider sending them a CJA tribute card.

Wishing you and your families a happy and peaceful Shabbat.