The First National Festival of Kavkazi Music and Dance

Summer in Israel is a time of festivals. This summer, JDC supported the creation of one that has also served to strengthen a unique community.

In Sderot, on June 16th, 2003, 1,500 Kavkazi community members and supporters gathered for the first Kavkazi music and dance festival in Israel. A celebration of sight and sound of the culture of communities native to the Caucasus Mountain region of the former Soviet Union, the event represented much more than festivities alone: it was a demonstration of the pride of a special, but struggling, immigrant Israeli community.

"The Kavkazi community is one rich in culture," explains Zehava, JDC-Israel's Director of Kavkazi Programs. "This festival shows how successful they are in preserving it. We at JDC are helping them do so, by supporting this festival and other cultural activities on a local level."

"At the same time," she continued, "the Kavkazi community is trying to overcome major challenges, including high unemployment and school dropout rates."

JDC is playing a leading role in the efforts of the Kavkazi community to overcome these obstacles. Together with the Israeli government, municipalities, non-profit organizations and the community itself, JDC supports educational programs, vocational, entrepreneurship and leadership training, and combats the phenomenon of Kavkazi youth-at-risk. "JDC is not just working with the challenges," Zehava explains. "We also work to maximize the community's strengths."

JDC recognizes that one of the methods of strengthening a community is through the preservation of its culture. Zehava provided the example of participation in dance and music troupes: "When children perform in a troupe, it achieves many of the goals of JDC's more 'traditional' school-based programs. Performing on stage builds self-esteem. Attending rehearsal three times a week for three hours at a time teaches perseverance. Parent-child connections are strengthened when parents praise their child after a performance. All these attributes can be applied towards success in Israel: in school, in work and in society."

American Jewry, in partnership with JDC, is playing a pivotal role in JDC's effort to strengthen the community. Sderot is among the cities benefiting from such support: UJA-Federation of New York is funding a wide array of JDC programming in the city. This is especially significant as Sderot has endured numerous attacks from the nearby Gaza strip and a deepening economic crisis. The choice of the festival's location was a purposeful show of solidarity for the city's 7,000 Kavkazi residents during this difficult time.

One festival participant communicated the importance of the festival to community members: "Events such as this strengthen our people. It not only unites us, it also provides us with support and encouragement. These Kavkazi performers will grow up and contribute to society. "

The Mayor of Sderot, Eli Moyal, and the Mayor of Or Akiva, himself a Kavkazi immigrant, attended the event. Tzippi Livni, the Minister of Absorption, delivered a speech in which she stated the government's commitment to help the community integrate while taking steps to help it preserve its culture. Yaffa Yarkoni, a well-known Israeli singer of Kavkazi origin, was a highlight of the festival. Proceedings were held in Hebrew and in Juhari, the traditional language of the Kavkazi community.

Both performers and observers, young and old, enjoyed the festival. In the audience were Leah and Ephraim, an elderly, traditionally dressed new immigrant couple from Dagestan. They most enjoyed watching the young performers: "We left everything in Dagestan and came to live in Israel. While it is difficult for us, it is even more important for us that our children and grandchildren succeed here."

In fact, the festival was as much about the future success of the community as it was a celebration of dance and music. "The community has taken the stage," says Zehava. "When community members attend events such as this festival, everyone feels a sense of belonging and pride."

Pleased by the success of the event, organizers, including JDC, intend on making it an annual summer gathering.