Imagine if you loved playing guitar but lost the ability to do so because you couldn’t use your hands or upper limbs. What if brilliant teens had a way to make this a reality again with robotics? I witnessed this when Israeli teens were in Edmonton this past week to participate in an international competition at the Expo Centre.
But what resulted after their demonstration touched my heart. In a pure moment of exchange, two participants with disabilities (blind and in a wheelchair) came to the Israeli robotic booth to learn about what these kids had created to assist people to play the guitar—with their feet.
Ironically, this visit took place as officials forcefully removed Jewish teens and their counsellor from a plane in Spain, and we hear of other attacks on Israelis abroad. However, in Edmonton, these teens were interacting with youths from around the world, trading pins and t-shirts and being approached about collaborating on further projects.
It was an honour to bring in Shabbat with them, and to attend the final round of the competition. Their visit concluded in a peoplehood moment with the teens, their mentor and teachers, hosted by the Eliyahu family and local youths.
Their teacher shared with me how many other professional peers were remarking on how positive and upbeat their team was. I saw the Israeli flag on display at their booth with great pride. And at the end of their trip while on social programming, the teacher went and picked up herself a coffee. The man behind the kiosk inquired about her heavy accent, noting she likely wasn’t from Edmonton. She blurted out she was from Israel and instantly regretted it. What happened next gave me goosebumps. He said, “You are from Israel?
As we enter the Heritage Festival and host the Israel pavilion, remember this story. While we take precautions for every scenario, most visitors come to discover Israel and its culture. And we’re pausing from commenting about geopolitics or entering discourse about the war, or about the recent statements made by our prime minister.
We have the right to be at this festival and share our culture, just like all other Canadians. We want to showcase the marvels of Israeli tech, the beauty of our landscape and geography, our holidays, and our cuisine and dance.
So I ask you—I implore you—to come and visit the pavilion this Sunday and Monday. Come with deep gratification that we have been active participants in this festival for 28 years. Come and feel represented. Immerse yourself in the Elliott Steinberg band’s modern Israeli music. Clap and move with the Aviv dancers as they unveil a new dance alongside their classics. Purchase a t-shirt designed by Jody Wasserman, or tchotchkes straight from the shuks in Tel Aviv. Come and patronize our food tent and have a falafel, a latke, or taste basbousa (semolina cake). Find a newcomer who is coming to meet community members. And don’t forget a food donation for the Edmonton Food Bank who is hosting their biggest collection of the year.
This endeavor is crucial for our community as we reveal our connection to Israel and engage our community in our own peoplehood moment.
What makes this all possible? Your support of United Jewish Appeal. There are over 60 volunteers involved over the course of the weekend. An ethnocultural grant from the Government of Alberta. The Edmonton Jewish Community Charitable Foundation provided new volunteer t-shirts.
Be sure to thank the volunteers, including those helping Heritage Festival, the security guards, and the Edmonton Police Service members on the grounds. Let’s show our gratitude to Jay Cairns who was contracted as the Israel Pavilion coordinator. His love for Israel is clear in the care he has taken and the literal sweat he is putting in with the 32-degree heat during the last several days to get the pavilion ready.
Shabbat Shalom,
Stacey
