Shiru HaShir Dancers mark 45 years in Edmonton

By Regan Lipes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(AJNews) – Truly seasoned Edmontonians, with deep roots in the community might remember a very special performance at the Israeli Pavilion for Heritage Days in 1981. Menachem Begin of the Likud Party was the Prime Minister of Israel, Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical” was playing on the car radio assisted by a protruding metal antenna, and Maya Goldberg made Edmonton history! She had only been in the city for a few years, but the Israeli-born, kibbutz-raised, natural performer put some major moves in motion with the inaugural Shiru HaShir folk dance recital at Heritage Days. For those not old enough to remember, not to worry, Maya and her dancers have only gained in popularity and momentum, and the costumes have become more colorful and vibrant, so even forty-five years after they first took to the stage, Shiru HaShir is still a dazzling and captivating sight to behold.

“I have been performing since I was a child,” explained Maya in a recent interview in her comfortable living room.  “Look,” she pointed around her. “You see how all my furniture is against the wall, nothing in the middle of the room?  That’s so people can dance.”  At eighty-five-years-young, Maya has more spirit and energy than most people half her age.  She never sits for long, getting up to make coffee, offer up Israeli confections, demonstrate a dance move or two, or to collect old photos to unleash the time-capsule of Shiru HaShir’s memories.  She grew up on a kibbutz near Caesarea, and although she lives in Canada, Israel is always in her heart.  “My father, he came from Latvia, and my first dance, that I can remember was the Kozachok,” she recalled with clarity.  “But I’ve been dancing since my father would hold me as a baby and dance with me in his arms.”

When the Jewish Federation of Edmonton approached Maya in 1981 to choreograph and perform a series of Israeli folk dances to showcase the brightness and joy of Eretz Yisrael, she gracefully leapt at the opportunity. “Shavuot is my favorite holiday,” explained Maya.  “These dances are about the earth, planting, harvesting, connecting with nature,” with this she sprang up from her seat and demonstrated how particular dance moves were inspired by working the land. Another set of dances reflect the time-honoured rituals and traditions of Jewish teaching. “Some of the dance movements show how men pray in shul, and all part of a greater story.”  A third compilation of dance is devoted to the wonder and radiance of Israel itself. “I want to show people how amazing and beautiful Israel is, how alive and healthy, and I can do that through dance,” she emphasized.

The walls of Maya’s warm and welcoming home are an endless collage of artwork and dance photography. Moving from picture to picture, she noted: “I remember everyone, but only by their first name. How often do you use last names anymore?  Everybody’s first names, I remember.” In other times Shiru HaShir performed for the community during holiday celebrations. Now the Jewish community, and greater Edmonton, look forward to their Heritage Days recital once a year. “It was all thanks to the volunteers,” Maya stated firmly.  “Nothing here,” she gestured to a montage of dance shots, “Nothing would have happened without the volunteers and those who supported us. Nobody was getting anything out of this except for the fun of dancing.”  Even now, as she works on repairing costumes and drumming up participation for the year to come, Maya is categorical that she can only do what she does because of the people around her.

“I just want people to dance and have fun,” she said.  “We had some neighbours over for dinner, and my daughter was joking and saying that I wasn’t going to feed them till after everyone danced. It wasn’t really a joke; I wanted everyone to dance and have fun.”  She is proud that in past years, three generations of her family have danced together representing Israeli pride. “You don’t have to be a good dancer, but you do need to have fun!” Maya has no intent to slow down, and she’s already thinking about next year. “The mud this year! The costumes were soaked.”

Maya and Shiru HaShir are always looking for new faces and an infusion of fresh energy for their group. “Nobody is too old, but we don’t take anyone younger than sixteen,” she explained. “Somebody came to me and said they couldn’t dance because they’re in their sixties,” she waved a hand with mocking dismissal. “I’m eighty-five so sixty seems young.”  Those who may be new to Edmonton and are looking for some healthy cardio and kibbitzing should contact her. Maya is hesitant to take praise without pointing to her fellow dancers, volunteers, and supporters as the stars of the show, but it really is this firecracker of a woman who ignited Edmonton’s love of Israeli folk dance forty-five years ago.