Shalom Chaverim,

Over the past several days, we have seen deeply troubling antisemitic incidents in the United States and Europe, including attacks targeting synagogues and Jewish institutions. Closer to home, our own Canadian Jewish community has also been shaken. In the Toronto area, three synagogues were targeted by gunfire within the span of a week. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the incidents are being investigated as hate-motivated crimes. 

These events reinforce the reality that Jewish institutions and our community at large cannot take security for granted. Here in Ottawa, we are watching developments closely and working proactively to ensure our community remains prepared and protected. This includes consistent correspondence and outreach with local law enforcement, as well as security contacts at our partner institutions and synagogues.

This week, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, announced up to $10 million in new funding through the Canada Community Security Program (CCSP) to enhance security at Jewish sites across the country. The funding will support security infrastructure, emergency assessments, training, licensed security personnel, and strengthened monitoring and coordination across Jewish institutions.

The Jewish Federation of Ottawa is already working with our partners at the Jewish Security Network (JSN) to determine how our community can access and benefit from this funding. We are also proud of the many local agencies and synagogues that have already taken meaningful steps to strengthen their security through protocols, preparedness measures, and participation in training such as CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design), a program that helps organizations assess how physical spaces and design can deter and reduce risk.

Earlier today, many across the country participated in a national community security briefing hosted by Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), alongside senior officials from Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Experts shared that Canada’s National Terrorism Threat Level remains unchanged at “medium.” Community members are encouraged to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity, as even small pieces of information can help authorities identify patterns and prevent potential threats.

Please do not underestimate the importance of your vigilance. Members of our community are often the first to notice something out of the ordinary. If you see something, say something. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911. If the situation is not urgent, the Ottawa Police Service can be reached at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300.

Moments like this remind us of two important truths: we must remain vigilant, and we must remain united.

For Federation, we work to protect our community so that Jewish life can continue to grow, flourish, and inspire the next generation.

This week’s parsha, Vayakhel-Pekudei, offers a powerful reminder of what it means to build and care for our community together. The Torah describes how the Israelites came together to construct the Mishkan, the sacred space where the Divine Presence would dwell among them. Each person contributed what they could, materials, skills, artistry, and effort, and together they created something greater than any individual could have built alone.

Among those contributors were not only leaders and builders, but also artisans and craftspeople whose creativity helped shape a space that would inspire the entire community.

There is an important lesson here for us today. Jewish community is not sustained by protection alone; it is strengthened when people bring their talents, creativity, and vision together to build something meaningful.

That same spirit of collaboration and creativity is what inspires a new initiative we are launching at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa.

We are proud to introduce the Ottawa Jewish Arts & Culture Grant, offering up to $15,000 to support creative, collaborative projects that celebrate Jewish culture and identity in our city. Through music, storytelling, visual arts, performance, and cultural experiences, this grant will help bring people and organizations together to deepen connection and enrich Jewish life in Ottawa.

Because, while security helps protect our community, arts and culture help it flourish.

You can learn more about the grant and application process here.

As we enter Shabbat, may we take strength in one another, remain vigilant in protecting what matters, and continue building a Jewish Ottawa that is vibrant, resilient, and united.

Shabbat Shalom,

Adam