Festival Hatzafon featured themes of strength and resilience through Israeli dance choreography

by Jenna Vetsch

(AJNews) – This year’s Festival Hatzafon for the Aviv Israeli Folk Dance Association (AIFDA) highlighted themes of strength and resilience through captivating Israeli folk dance choreography, costuming, and lively performances. The Edmonton-based festival brought together diverse communities to celebrate and embrace cultural heritage and unity.

Festival Hatzafon is a unique event in Alberta, offering the community the chance to experience Israeli folk dance and other cultural performances year-after-year.

The sold-out show was held at Campus Saint-Jean’s auditorium on March 5, 2025, with Reel Mensch Studios documenting the event on film. Under the directorship of Davina Eisenstat and Sari Uretsky, the annual event welcomed family, friends, and guests who eagerly filled the theatre to enjoy an evening of dance, music, culture, and connection.

The opening number was a new piece titled “Fly”, performed by the Aviv dancers under the leadership of Abby Wright. In November, the group welcomed guest choreographer Yuliia Tvorilova to lead a 5-week dance intensive. The captivating performance featured lifts and unique movements, showcasing the dancers’ skills and talents. The choreography signifies the power of love, support, and the strength in togetherness. This project was made possible through a minor allocation grant from the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, powered by the United Jewish Appeal campaign.

The Rikud Academy dancers are a highlight of the show for families. Parents glow with pride as they see their children, dressed up and ready to showcase everything they’ve learned throughout the year. Dancers from kindergarten to grade six received enthusiastic applause and cheers, and their joyful performances brought a cheerful energy to the theatre.

Special guests from the South Asian Arts Movement (SAAM) performed a Kathak dance and Bollywood number. Ashley Anjlien Kumar, the Founding Artistic Director of SAAM, captivated the audience with a classical dance of India, Kathak. It was a mesmerizing experience, from the traditional music, brilliant costuming, to her skillful footwork. Additionally, SAAM dancers performed an energetic Bollywood piece that featured famous songs from movies produced in India. Their performances gave us a taste of the beauty and joy found in South Asian performing arts.

Virtual performances by Winnipeg’s Beyachad and Israel’s Clore Center for the Performing Arts were woven into the show as well. Beyachad, led by Robyn Braha, “holds a special place in our dance family,” said Davina. “We have shared the stage [with them] many times.” The dance featured dazzling scarf choreography and costumes which helped tell a story of our collective humanity.

Dancers from the Clore Center shared a modern Israeli dance piece titled “New Day.” It was a beautiful display of hope and unity. The Clore Center is located within the Galilee Panhandle, Canada’s partner region through the Jewish Federation’s Partnership2Gether initiative. Aviv expressed gratitude to the dancers at the Clore Center for their participation by sending a thank-you card which was personally delivered by Stacey Leavitt-Wright, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton. In the card, it was conveyed that they are in Aviv’s thoughts every day, along with prayers for their safety. The Clore Center replied with a warm message: “I am happy the video we sent was a special addition to your festival. Hope it was only the beginning of the cooperation and connection between you and the Clore Center.”

Another memorable performance was a self-choreographed, lyrical solo by 15-year-old Aviv dancer, Aliya Leung, which was inspired by the hostages taken from Israel. Davina, co-Artistic Director, explained that “through movement, we honour the unbreakable spirit of hope, unity, and the relentless determination to bring each individual home”. The auditorium fell quiet as Aliya delivered this poignant performance, captivating everyone in attendance. Abby Wright, Aviv Instructor, shared that “as a community and dance group, it was a meaningful experience to centre Festival Hatzafon around what happened on October 7th.”

Through various grants, subsidies, and donations, community organizations helped bring the 19th year of Festival Hatzafon to life. Thanks were extended to the Edmonton Jewish Community Charitable Foundation for sponsoring the theatre, the Jewish Federation of Edmonton for sponsoring a light reception after the show, and to the Talmud Torah Society, the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada – Edmonton Section, the Edmonton Arts Council and the City of Edmonton for their valuable support and contributions.

Following the show, AIFDA dancer Ronny Stocklin-Sagi credited the organization with helping her embrace her authentic Jewish identity by providing a safe space for cultural expression and fostering meaningful relationships. Festival Hatzafon is a cherished event in the Edmonton community, celebrating the value of cultural inclusivity.

If you or your child is interested in becoming a part of AIFDA’s incredible dance community, visit www.aifda.ca. There are also weekly drop-in circle dance classes for teens and adults every Wednesday. Email aifdaedmonton@gmail.com for more details.