November 10, 2023 | 26 Cheshvan 5784

Calgary Jewish Federation and Jewish Federation of Edmonton are thrilled to announce that the Alberta government will be mandating Holocaust education as part of the province's new social studies curriculum. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides made the announcement on November 9 prior to the Kristallnacht commemoration at Beth Israel Synagogue in Edmonton while surrounded by members of the local Jewish community and leadership from the Calgary Jewish community. We look forward to providing input and guidance to the Alberta education team on the development of the syllabus. We thank the government for listening to our communities and responding with this firm decision during a time when antisemitism is peaking across the country and around the world. View full media release.

We invite everyone to join us for a Solidarity Rally for the Hostages on Tuesday, November 14 from 7 to 8pm at the Paperny Family JCC field. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we come together and display our love and support of Israel and the people who live there. All community members are welcome to bring your voice, and invite allies to join us.

This Saturday, November 11, we remember those who volunteered, sacrificed, served, fought, and died for our freedom. The Paperny Family JCC is pleased to announce that The Veterans Wall of Honour has been updated to include Commonwealth, Soviet, Polish, American, and Mahalnik veterans from Southern Alberta. We welcome you to come by the JCC this Remembrance Day weekend to pay respect to the many veterans within our community who made the ultimate sacrifice. Special thanks to JHSSA for their help throughout this project.

Did you know that Calgary is currently home to two Jewish day schools? In eary 1900, when there were just 100 Jewish families in Calgary, there were two day schools: Calgary Hebrew School (1912) and the I.L. Peretz School (1927). Then in 1987 they amalgamated to become The Calgary Jewish Academy (CJA). In 1980, House of Jacob Mikveh Israel established Akiva Academy to continue the development and fostering of a viable Jewish community in Calgary. In 2019, thanks to the generosity of the Halpern Family, the name was changed to Halpern Akiva Academy (HAA). Both schools are proud to offer academic excellence in the Alberta curriculum as well as instilling values of Torah, a proud Jewish identity, traditions, and a passion for love of community. Your UJA gift supports both schools through the Integrated Bursary Program (IBP) as well as providing security and safety training, and enrichment and remedial need support. For more information contact CJA or HAA.

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