Dear Community Members,

Yesterday, we learned of a major vandalism incident which took place at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery, with 60-70 headstones being toppled over. We are horrified that anyone would demonstrate such a profound lack of respect by desecrating the final resting place of our community's loved ones.

We have been in contact with Congregation Shaarey Zedek and have offered to support and assist in any way we can. The Winnipeg Police Service is investigating this shameful act, and we thank them for their response and attention to this matter. If you have any information that would be useful to law enforcement, please contact the police.

As we head into summer, we wanted to share some highlights from some interesting meetings and events we’ve had this month, and some updates on what’s ahead.

On June 15, your Federation hosted Moshe Lion, Mayor of Jerusalem during his visit to Winnipeg. As this was his first time here, we planned a leadership briefing to address key issues for Jerusalem, Israel, and our community. The Jerusalem Foundation of Canada is actively looking for partnership opportunities in our community to fund new binational projects, and Mayor Lion was impressed with the vibrancy of our Jewish community, having many engaging conversations with members of the community during his two-day visit.

Israel engagement is one of our key priorities, which was also reflected in our recent meeting with the Tel Aviv Foundation during their visit to Winnipeg, and a brief visit by Mayor Alon Davidi of the city of Sderot who recently visited Winnipeg. We will build on these and other projects to create opportunities for youth and community engagement, entrepreneurship, and Hasbara efforts as we promote Israel’s many contributions to the world. Israel is increasingly taking notice of Winnipeg, which will serve our community well as we explore future engagement opportunities.

We were pleased to meet with Mayor Bowman this month to thank him for his consistent support of our community for the past 8 years. Throughout that time, he has been a close ally, always responsive to our requests for meetings and community appearances, or when we have had issues of concern. Thank you, Mayor Bowman, for your continued friendship and unwavering support.

Your Federation is actively seeking ways to make our community more inclusive for all, and Pride Shabbats have always been inspiring gatherings that celebrate the LGBTQ2S+ community and their contributions. On Friday, we held our first Pride Shabbat since 2019 at Temple Shalom. After a two-year hiatus, it was wonderful to gather and celebrate the diversity of our community at this event, and at other Pride activities held throughout the month.

This year marks the 28^th anniversary of the AMIA bombing, a terrorist attack that targeted the headquarters of the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The attack claimed 85 lives, wounded over 300, and reduced the area around the building, the heart of Jewish life in Argentina, to rubble. The perpetrators behind this despicable act have still not been brought to justice. Please join us on July 18 at the Berney Theatre at the Asper Jewish Community Campus for Remembering AMIA, a commemorative event in memory of the victims, presented by the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, B'nai Brith Canada, and the Argentinean Manitoba Association.

Lastly, we wanted to provide an update on our Mission to Israel, which is now scheduled for February 2023. Our Federation has been organizing missions to Israel for over 25 years with great success, and a high level of satisfaction among participants. Our itinerary allows us to feel the pulse of the country, acquire an understanding of the day-to-day realities that Israelis face, puts us in touch with prominent Israeli leaders and dignitaries, all while experiencing the very best cuisine and sights that Israel has to offer. We hope that you will be able to join us for a life-changing experience in Israel next year. Israel will turn 75 in 2023, and you don’t want to miss the trip of a lifetime led by the Federation and an amazing delegation. Please stay tuned for further information and announcements about next year's mission.

On behalf of all of us at the Federation, we would like to wish you and your families a safe and happy summer. We look forward to providing further updates in late August as we kick off the CJA campaign.

Sincerely,