Diverse communities unite in Calgary’s Walk with Israel

By Mark Cooper, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 

(AJNews) – While some 1,000 supporters marched through the damp weather for Calgary’s Walk with Israel, a group of Iranian Canadian allies braved far more than the elements.

Among them was Arash. Having lived in North America for 15 years, he fears a photograph of him marching could cost him his freedom, or his life, if he ever returns to Iran while the Islamic Republic regime is in power.

Yet for Arash and others in his community, standing in solidarity with the Jewish community during the September 7 walk in southwest Calgary from the Paperny Family JCC was a “duty.” They feel a deep sense of gratitude toward the Jewish state.

“The only ally that we have in Iran is Israel and the only ally that the Israeli people have in the region is the Iranian people,” said Arash, who didn’t want to provide his last name for fear of repercussions from those loyal to the regime.

“It’s our job, it’s our duty (to be here). The people are here for us, and we are here for Israel,” he said.

He was walking under a Persian “Lion and Sun” flag—one of many mixed alongside Israeli and Canadian flags during the march, which was shortened slightly by a steady drizzle and cool temperatures.

Eghbal Kayadan, a Calgary-based Iranian community leader and journalist who leads local opposition to the Islamic Republic, explained that some community members fear for their safety due to the presence of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) operatives in Canada and Calgary. He noted that their regular peace marches in the city are frequently disrupted by foreign actors who support the regime. Still, the sense of allegiance runs deep.

“We are honoured to be side-by-side with the Jewish community in Calgary, in Alberta and in Canada,” said Kayadan, who has been living in exile in Canada for 36 years.

“We are so happy anytime the Jewish community has a program or an event; we are happy to join them and to support them and be united with them.

“It was so beautiful to get out and to feel energized. It was a rainy day, but people were so happy united together.”

In addition to the Persian community, the walk drew allies from the Christian, Hindu, Hazara, Kurdish, and Nigerian communities. Calgary city councillors and MLAs from both the NDP and UCP also joined the event coordinated by the Calgary Jewish Federation.

Organizations such as Allies for a Strong Canada, Bridges Calgary Association, and Stand With Us also had a strong showing during the annual event, which marks the official kickoff for the 2026 United Jewish Appeal (UJA) Campaign. Sponsored by the Balaban family and Peakhill Capital, the gathering also included a children’s carnival and a Rosh Hashanah market.

For the first time, the Alberta Jewish News/Chai There had a table at the market. Alberta Jewish News Publisher Deborah Shatz said the energy she felt was electric.

“The reception we received was truly special,” said Shatz. “People were incredibly welcoming, and it was wonderful to connect so closely with everyone throughout the day.”

Rob Nagus, CEO of the Federation, said having so many allies supporting the community at this year’s walk was an inspiration.

“It’s a testament to the friends we have here in the City of Calgary and to our Jewish community and our leaders who are constantly going out and making those connections, supporting other marginalized communities that are in need of support, and they really showed up for us today,” said Nagus.

“And this is what friendship and allyship is all about.”

The wide-ranging support was a huge boost for the young Israeli women who had recently began their one-year term under the Shinshinim program, which brings Israeli high-school graduates who choose to postpone their mandatory army service to both Calgary and Edmonton and around the world to volunteer.

“It’s amazing to see people from all over who came just to walk with us and to be here,” said Adva Tzukerman, one of the four Shinshinim who danced joyfully draped with Israeli flags during the march.

Tzukerman, who is spending her gap year in Calgary, found the walk truly eye-opening. She noted that living in Israel can sometimes feel isolating, leaving many residents disconnected from the global support that exists for their country.

“It’s so beautiful and the community and people are so nice and warm. You are not aware how much love there is to Israel when you are in Israel, and you don’t see how much people around the world care.”

That’s one of the main reasons Pastor Jon Harwood, from Calgary’s Solid Rock Baptist Church and many of his congregants showed up for the walk.

“Number one, we love the God of Israel,” said Harwood.

“The same God they serve is the same God we serve. And that’s why we come out here, because of him. That’s why we’re here today and that’s what motivates us to keep doing this.

“It was good to be out here with everybody and to see what is going on and that there’s still a lot of support for the Jews in Calgary. We just love the Jewish people and if the Lord will give us many more years, we want to keep doing this.”

Calgary-Elbow NDP MLA Samir Kayande joined members of the Jewish community for the walk. His attendance follows an incident earlier in the summer involving party leader Naheed Nenshi, who faced a two-pronged backlash over a Stampede photo-op. After drawing heavy criticism from some for posing with Israeli Ambassador Iddo Moed, Nenshi first defended the encounter then issued a public apology. However, that apology, which included a condemnation of the actions of the Israeli government, sparked immediate displeasure from Jewish community organizations and others, who criticized him for treating a routine diplomatic greeting as a moral infraction.

“It’s important to me and the entire Alberta NDP that Jewish Albertans feel safe, included and enmeshed in the fabric of this province,” said Kayande in a written response provided to the Alberta Jewish News by the NDP caucus.

“Hateful antisemitic acts are on the rise, and we must all stand with the Jewish people, who deserve to be safe everywhere in the world. Attending the Walk (with) Israel is a small symbol of our solidarity.”