ONE – Festival Hatzafon 2026 was a cultural delight!

By Jenna Vetsch, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(AJNews) – On Sunday, March 15, the Aviv Israeli Folk Dance Association (AIFDA) held Festival Hatzafon 2026, presented by Title Sponsors Cristine and Barry Slawsky. AIFDA dancers returned to the Westbury Theatre stage for a cultural celebration centered on the theme “One”, curated by Artistic Director Sari Uretsky and Assistant Artistic Director Abby Wright. The show was professionally filmed by Reel Mensch Studios, allowing both audience members and dancers to relive the magic of the performance.

Special guests from Vancouver’s Israeli dance group, Orr Chadash, travelled to share the stage with Edmonton’s Aviv and Rikud dancers over the weekend. The Aviv and Vancouver dancers had the chance to connect and share a meal before the busy weekend of rehearsals and performances at a Shabbat Friday night dinner, sponsored by KBS Developments.

On the day of the festival, the lobby buzzed with excitement as family, friends, and special guests filled the theatre. Among those in attendance who came to celebrate an afternoon of cultural expression were MLA Lorne Dach and Roshan Prasad of the Council of Hindus of North America. Also in attendance were Jewish Federation of Edmonton CEO Stacey Leavitt-Wright, NCJWC Edmonton Section President Jodi Zabludowski, and many other supporters of the festival.

Melodie Greyeyes, member of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and National Director of CMJ Canada, set the tone for the event with a land acknowledgement, followed by a dance offering a blessing for Israel. Her presence added depth and meaning to the opening moments. Following this, Jayden Leung and Aviv dancer Rachel Kondor performed the Canadian and Israeli National Anthems.

The show featured 13 choreographies performed by dancers ranging from kindergarten through to adults, in university, and beyond. Audiences were treated to heartwarming group performances, inspiring solos, hand-clapping classics, and powerful choreographies. Highlights included the debut of a brand-new dance, Breaking Free, choreographed by Sari Uretsky and Abby Wright, which captivated the audience with its storytelling and dynamic movement. Reflecting on the weekend, Sari said, “I feel an incredible sense of pride in passing on my love of Israeli dance to the next generation and in the work we are doing together as a small but vibrant Jewish community”.

The festival garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, describing the event as healing, beautiful, uplifting, and professional. One parent shared, “watching my kids on the stage takes my breath away” and “I am forever grateful for Aviv”.

The event concluded with a reception in the lobby sponsored by Pauline Uretsky for people to connect and nosh over snacks and light refreshments.

Community organizations, institutions, businesses, and individuals helped make the festival a success. AIFDA extends a heartfelt thank you to the generous support of its sponsors and community partners. Contributions from the Edmonton Jewish Community Charitable Foundation (EJCCF) helped offset theatre rental costs, while funding from the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, powered by the United Jewish Appeal, made it possible to bring on a stage manager, backstage runners, and MCs, ensuring the show ran with ease.

The ever-entertaining MC duo, Kingsley and Jayden Leung, kept the show light while also grounding the audience in a powerful message. As Kingsley shared, “even in a time when the world can feel divided and heavy with pain, there is still a quiet truth that runs deeper than fear. Humanity has always moved forward when people choose one another over hatred. The rise of antisemitism and other forms of prejudice reminds us how fragile dignity and safety can be, but it also reminds us how necessary courage, empathy, and solidarity are. We are ONE.”

Support from the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada (NCJWC), Edmonton Section, helped uphold AIFDA’s commitment to ensuring that no dancer is turned away due to financial hardship. The festival also benefits from its ongoing partnership with the (Edmonton) Talmud Torah Society, which provides subsidized rehearsal space for youth dancers.

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) awarded AIFDA an operating grant which supports arts-based organizations that foster community connections and primarily rely on volunteers to carry out their mission and mandates. This support helps sustain AIFDA’s year-round programming, including Festival Hatzafon, which showcases the organization’s ongoing artistic work and mission to enrich the cultural mosaic of Edmonton.

AIFDA recognizes that volunteers are the backbone of the festival, generously contributing their time and energy to ensure everything runs smoothly. Additionally, parents invest time, energy, and encouragement in their children’s passions. Dance teachers provide patience, guidance, and strong role models, helping young dancers develop their skills and confidence.

Sari expressed that “this year’s festival felt a little different. Although it marked my 20^th year working with Aviv, it felt like we needed it more than ever. It was a meaningful opportunity to come together as a community, celebrate our beautiful heritage through dance, share some laughter, and simply enjoy being together”.

Here are several ways to continue supporting AIFDA and the legacy of its dancers:

• Casino – AIFDA’s casino event and fundraising activities throughout the year support the dance program by paying for rental space, teachers, costuming and some travel expenses. AIFDA is appreciative to those who have signed up to volunteer at the upcoming casino in April. There is still one shift Sunday evening that needs to be filled. Contact aifdaedmonton@gmail.com to grab that spot.
• Cookie Dough Fundraiser – visit www.aifda.ca for more information.
• Donations are always appreciated and can be made at any time by e-transfer to aifdaedmonton@gmail.com

Share your Festival Hatzafon experience! The AIFDA Executive would love to hear from you. Tell them about your highlights from this year’s festival at aifdaedmonton@gmail.com.