TORONTO — UJA Federation of Greater Toronto knows what it takes to bring out thousands of Torontonians for a long walk on a rainy afternoon: the chance to show support for Israel, and camel rides at Ontario Place.
Juno award winning artist Shawn Desman kicks off the walk at Coronation Park. [Riva Gold photos]
On Sunday, May 29, more than 12,000 men, women, and children braved the weather and headed to Coronation Park for United Jewish Appeal’s annual Walk With Israel. The walk, culminating in a festival at Ontario Place, raised nearly $500,000 for UJA’s charitable projects in Israel.
UJA’s Walk With Israel is Toronto’s largest single Jewish community event and one of the biggest Israeli solidarity events in the world.
Time to start the walk
The 44th annual Walk With Israel kicked off at Coronation Park with an inflatable playground and a performance by Juno Award-winner Shawn Desman. After the concert, participants walked eight kilometres along the downtown core and waterfront.
“Every year, more people join the walk to celebrate Israel’s achievements and to raise funds for Israeli communities,” said Howard English, vice-president of corporate communications at federation. “It really shows the remarkable affinity for Israel among members of the Jewish community and friends.”
UJA officials also attributed the walk’s fundraising success to the new “Family Challenge” program, which encouraged families to compete together as fundraising units. The winning family raised a staggering $34,113.
Batucada Carioca Samba group performance at Ontario Place.
The walk featured five venues, each named after Israeli communities that would benefit from the event’s proceeds. Maple Leaf Square became “Bat Yam,” where UJA will help integrate Ethiopian Israelis through educational initiatives; HTO Park was dubbed “Sderot.” Other funds went to support communities in Eilat, Acco, Hatzor Haglilit, Metulla and Jerusalem.
After the walk, participants were invited to the Renee and Irwin Nadal Festival at Ontario Place, where participants enjoyed a kosher barbecue, live entertainment and the camel rides. Young adults were invited to an alternative after-party in nearby Liberty Village, hosted by UJA and Jewish youth groups such as Hillel Toronto and Alpha Epsilon Pi. “We wanted to attract our demographic to the walk, so that we could get together and reconnect with our cultural values,” said co-organizer Jordan Minuk.
“Just seeing so many people come out with pride to show support for Israel made me feel really proud,” said participant Oren Weinstock.
Denise Alexander of Kulanu Toronto stressed that “as a female, gay Jewish woman, there are many reasons to come on the walk and celebrate Israel: Because I’m Jewish. Because Israel had a female prime minister. Because Israel supports the LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] community and we support them, too.”
Roughly 200 volunteers participated in the event alongside 21 elected officials, including members of Parliament, members of the Ontario Legislature and municipal politicians.
Performance at Ontario Place
At Air Canada Centre
