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The Walk with Israel
The Walk with Israel in Calgary, Canada.
On July 28, 2024 the Calgary Jews Stand United (CJSU), Calgary Jewish Federation, JNF Calgary and Beth Tzedec Congregation organized the Walk with Israel event. When I and my wife came to the starting point of the walk, the Beth Tzedec Congregation parking lot at twelve thirty, when the event was scheduled to begin at one PM, the place was already full of people and activities. There were people of different ages from young children to the advanced age community members and non-Jewish supporters. There were tables set up to hand out T-shirts. The front of the T-shirt had a sign ‘Walk with Israel Calgary’ with the emblem of the CJSU, the back side of the T-shirt showed appreciation to the sponsor of the event ‘the Balaban Family’ and listed the event partners. These partners are the organizations affecting the lives of Calgarian Jews.
There were also tables setup to entertain the children.
Occasionally, when I attend the meetings where people are unknown to me, there is a feeling of slight anxiety. No such feeling was present when I entered the parking lot of the Beth Tzedec synagogue. The people were friendly and receptive to anyone around them.
Before the Walk with Israel began there was an introduction ceremony with a speech and singing of anthems of Canada and Israel.
Some participants of the walk carried Israeli and Canadian flags, others the posters with the photos of the hostages held by Hamas.
The effort of hundred volunteers made the Walk with Israel possible. Despite the number of participants reaching a thousand, the volunteers were maintaining orderly procession from the very beginning.
When the walk reached the bridge over the Glenmore Trail the cars driving on the street below honked in solidarity with Israel and the participants of the walk waived enthusiastically to these positive responses.
When we walked along the Elbow Drive the whole family of one of the houses came out to welcome us in support of Israel. We thanked them sincerely by waiving back and saying we loved them.
From the Elbow Drive we turn to 5th street S.W. and proceeded to the bridge to cross the Glenmore Trail to get back to the Beth Tzedec Congregation. At the lights of the intersection the volunteers were ensuring the safety of the walkers.
The participants of the Walk with Israel were reassured emotionally and physically by the presence of the two volunteers positioned strategically every fifty meters along the route.
When the Walk with Israel procession safely returned to the Beth Tzedec Congregation the participants were welcomed by the volunteers with snacks and bottles of water. Many walkers appreciated the effort of the volunteers to distribute the popsicles on this hot day.
The inspirational speech by Caroline D’Amore, known in public as Pizza Girl, added an uplifting feeling to the event and the live music kept people exited and joyful. Caroline D’Amore specifically stressed the importance of educating oneself about the history of the Holy Land which helped her to become such a strong supporter of the State of Israel.
Although all the partners involved in the preparation of the Walk with Israel event are important and meaningful I would like to mention the closeness of the missions of Calgary Jews Stand United (CJSU) and Calgary Jewish Federation.
The mission statement by the CJSU is “our mission is two-fold. First and foremost, we aim to stand in solidarity with Israel, advancing for its right to exist in peace and security. Secondly, we strike to be a beacon of truth, dispelling misconceptions and providing accurate information about the complex dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict”.
The Calgary Jewish Federation’s mission is expressed in the statement under the rubric ‘Who We Are’:
“The goal of Calgary Jewish Federation is to touch the lives of every member of our community and to connect them with each other, and with fellow Jews around the world. Inspired by the Jewish values of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, Tzedakah, justice, charity, Klal Israel, the unity of all the Jewish people, Chesed, loving kindness, we work together to create a vibrant, caring, welcoming and inclusive Jewish community locally, in Israel and around the world”.
After the horrific events on October 7 the Canada’s Jewish communities, including Calgary, made a concerted effort to raise emergency fund for our beloved Israel to assist the brothers and sisters who are now fighting an existential war. The Calgary Jewish community raised $3.5 M for Israel Emergency Fund.
It is worthwhile to mention that Calgary Jewish Federation is a part of the Partner2gether project “which links Diaspora Jewish communities with cities and regions in Israel in order to develop ‘living bridges’ and a deep connection as Jewish people”.
The initiative of the CJSU to organize the Walk with Israel, which took a month and half to prepare, coincides with the Calgary’s Jewish Federation mission inspired by the Jewish values of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. The Walk with Israel contributes to the betterment of the world where Israel could exist in peace and security.