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Consider giving a gift that will last for generations
Consider giving a gift that will last for generations
By Stephanie Hendin
Leaving a legacy in the Jewish community is important to many. The Edmonton Jewish Community Charitable Foundation (EJCCF) provides an avenue for those who choose to have a lasting imprint for generations to come.
The EJCCF completed steps in December 2020 to ensure all legacies will be secure with entrusting the management of its donor funds to the Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF).
Grants provided through the EJCCF in 2021 continue to enrich Jewish communal life, supporting some muchloved initiatives, says EJCCF Chair Stephanie Hendin. Recent examples include a grant supporting the Jewish Seniors Citizen Center’s purchase of kitchen equipment, back to camp programming at Camp BB Riback, and the challah bake organized by the Beth Israel Congregation.
Contributions to the EJCCF continued to be received to various funds, and we have established new family funds. All enhance the EJCCF’s ability to grow and therefore distribute grants in our community today and in the future. Creating a fund is easy and becomes fully operational at $10,000 or more. If you think that a fund is out of your reach, consider building one with gifts over time.
For the plan best suited to your personal situation and charitable objectives, we recommend you consult with your legal and financial counsel and with the foundation. With the help of EJCCF and our new partner, the ECF—you can make a difference that lasts your lifetime and provide support for generations to come.
A planned gift to the Jewish community ensures the perpetuation of your family name—no matter where or when in the future, you can be there to help.
Hendin urges community members who are interested in establishing a fund to support their most cherished Jewish community programs or causes to contact her at ejccfoundation@gmail.com. You can also leave a phone message at the Jewish Federation of Edmonton at 780-487-0585. As always, EJCCF is also on the lookout for volunteers. They should be willing to bring their time and talent to conversations with community members about gifts that will keep on giving l’dor v’dor—from generation to generation.
2021 Grant Allocations
Congregation Beth Israel: Challah Bake Camp BB Riback: Summer back to camp programming Chabad Lubavitch of Edmonton: Defibrilator Jewish Senior Citizen’s Centre: Kitchen equipment and takeout supplies
Jewish Archives and Historical Society of Edmonton
and Northern Alberta: Archiving materials Jewish Family Services: Meal delivery program for seniors Temple Beth Ora: Music series Talmud Torah Society: Judaica early childhood classroom supplies Edmonton Beth Shalom Congregation: Back to shul programming Jewish Federation of Edmonton: Heritage Festival BBYO Edmonton: Leadership Training Institute
Program conceived to connect new parents
By Faren Hochman (VP, Outreach)
As offices and schools were vacated and plans were canceled, many assumed a COVID baby boom would arrive in early 2021. The number of children in my house doubled, and plenty of Jewish babies were indeed born in our community. Along with all these babies, a new program offered by the Jewish Federation of Edmonton was born—Shalom Baby.
Last summer, Sarah Troster and I hosted outreach focus groups with young professionals. During our Zoom sessions, the seed of a Shalom Baby program was planted. Throughout the pandemic, it grew and grew, until finally Shalom Baby was born into our community this past July.
Modeled after the Shalom Baby initiatives seen at many Federations across North America, this outreach program welcomes newborns and their parents into the Jewish community.
More specifically, Shalom Baby Edmonton is designed to connect parents with other members of the Edmonton Jewish community, to offer Jewish content activities for parents and their babies, and to provide tools and resources to parents and families.
The Federation team secured support for the program through a competitive PJ Library Engagement grant, as well as grant funding from the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Community and Social Services.
Anika Zepp, a first-time mom, is currently working alongside Jenn Magalnick, Federation Jewish education and engagement specialist. As a parent connector, Anika’s roles are to help organize events (e.g., meet-ups, speakers on relevant postpartum topics), to invite new parents to the program, to connect families and their babies to community organizations that align with their values, and to promote baby and child-friendly activities and programs happening within the community. The inaugural Shalom Baby Edmonton event took place in mid-July. Seven new mothers and their babies met at the Federation office, on the second floor balcony. They socialized over muffins and coffee, sharing the highs and lows of their week. In August, 12 moms and babies attended another meet-up over sandwiches. In October, programming shifted to a virtual platform, featuring a tot Shabbat hosted by Cantor David Mannes. The program included Shabbat songs, as well as an opportunity for socialization.
Shalom Baby Edmonton is also arranging for participants to receive a “welcome baby” package.
Gift bags are being hand-assembled to include contributions shared on behalf of organizations in the local Jewish community. Featured items may include a PJ library baby book, hand-knit or crocheted hat, milestone cards, bibs, onesies, and other Jewish baby resources.
If you or someone you know has had a baby within the past year, please contact Anika (anikazepp@ gmail.com) or Jenn (magalj@edjfed.org) to receive your welcome baby gift and to register for upcoming programs.
Members of Shalom Baby met in person mid-July and the number has grown for each meeting since the launch of the program.

Jewish summer programs offered to families
For one Jewish Edmonton family, having access to a summer program made an exciting experience for their children. “Kids really liked the activities in the aerial park and enjoyed mining the crystals and fossils. They are still talking with lots of excitement about the ice cream party they had and the magician show,” says the mom.
The Jewish Federation of Edmonton held a Summer Fun Series to provide opportunities for social connection and supporting needs, such as children’s activities and community engagement. Since many summer programs were unavailable because of COVID-19, the Federation stepped in with the support of a Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) grant from the Government of Alberta to organize activities.
We asked parents with children under the age of 12 what would be helpful. Based on their needs, we held the Pop-Up Camp Days. These pop-up days included a bike day, an art workshop and field trips to the Edmonton Valley Zoo and Camp BB. Summer student Shira Or led these activities, which saw an average of 30 kids a day or 122 spots over the summer.
The FCSS grant also funded the Family Activity Series, which held two events, one at the Snow Valley Aerial Park and the other at the Edmonton Corn Maze. The Shabbat Series offered two meet ups—Shabbark in the Park and the End of Summer Picnic.
Thank you to all families who took part in these very well attended activities.

One of the participants at the Snow Valley Aerial Park pauses while climbing. The aerial park was one of the summer programs offered by the Jewish Federation of Edmonton.
