Festival Not Possible Without Volunteers Like Diandra Etkin

If you donate your time to organizations close to your heart, perhaps you’ve experienced the many rewards of giving back; From emotional rewards and satisfaction to networking and creating meaningful connections with people in the community. Diandra Etkin is no stranger to lending a helping hand or to the many benefits of doing so.

Diandra Etkin first became involved with the Israel Pavilion – Shalom Square in 2013, when her sister was the female adult ambassador. She has dedicated many hours to volunteering at the Pavilion ever since.

“I loved Folklorama growing up, and my friends and I loved going to as many shows together as possible,” states Etkin. “So volunteering at the Israel Pavilion made sense. I greatly enjoyed volunteering in that first year, so I’ve continued every year since then.”

Etkin had the honour of representing her Pavilion and community in 2019, as the female adult ambassador.

“I thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet the other incredible ambassadors, and learn about each pavilion’s culture, history, and traditions,” states Etkin.

While there are so many things to love about the Israel Pavilion – Shalom Square, Etkin’s favourite are the live band and vocalists, well known for their beautiful harmonies and lively stage presence, and the delicious food and snacks.

“I have so much fun sharing my love of Israel with guests and hearing their stories; where they’re from, how excited they are to see the show, and even sometimes how much they loved traveling to Israel,” states Etkin. “I’ve been fortunate to meet many wonderful people through my volunteer experiences.”

Outside of the Festival, Etkin keeps herself busy as a teacher in the Hebrew program at Brock Corydon School, co-chairing the Winnipeg chapter of Ben-Gurion University Canada, and delivering hampers for JCFS/B’nai Brith during the holiday season.

Being an active part of the Jewish community is something Etkin loves wholeheartedly, and she encourages others who are willing to give their time and “just go for it!”.

A special thanks to Diandra Etkin and all the volunteers who make Folklorama possible!