In December 2019, 27 year old Hadera Short founded a new Israeli dance group called Kadima Dance Company for dancers who are 18 or older who wish to engage in Israeli dance. Hadera has a very solid dance background. "I have danced my entire life in many studios throughout the city. I am formally trained in most styles of dance. Israeli dance has always played a huge role in my life, having taken classes since the age of five and eventually becoming a dancer and dance director of the Sarah Sommer Chai Folk Ensemble . I was also accepted into the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, where I studied dance and technique for one year in Israel."
Already, dancers have flocked to Kadima Dance Company. There are currently 19 experienced dancers in Kadima, (14 females and 5 males) who range in age from 18-35 years old. Hadera explains that "The dancers are predominantly Jewish but that is not a prerequisite to being a part of Kadima. Their love of Israeli dance and culture, whether it is from personal experience or through association, is most important." Kadima dancers rehearse at Kazka Dance Collective. "It is a brand new, beautiful studio, owned by Kristina Frykas," Hadera says
When asked what motivated her to start Kadima, Hadera replies, "My love of dance, especially Israeli dance, motivated me to start Kadima Dance Company. I wanted to create a space for dancers to express their creativity and passion for dance, while helping grow the dance community in Winnipeg and in the Jewish community. I wanted to provide opportunities for dancers to perform Israeli dance. "
When asked what her goals are for Kadima, Hadera says "I want to give the dancers as many opportunities for performing as possible, both locally and eventually internationally. It is important for me to establish positive connections both in and out of the Jewish community, and do what we love most, which is to dance."
When asked whether she would like Kadima to perform at Folklorama's Israel Pavillion this summer, Hadera answers "Perhaps in the future but right now, I am focused on the dancers’ technique and new choreography. I want to establish a solid repertoire before we put on a show of that caliber." She adds, "Our main focus right now is on building the group from the ground up. I am choreographing pieces, as well as encouraging dancers in Kadima to choreograph and work collaboratively. This allows them to fully explore their artistic abilities and give their own creative input. I am really excited to offer a company to mature dancers who are eager and passionate about Israeli dance, and am very moved by the tremendous support we have been gaining since starting in December."
When asked if Kadima has funding from any private sources, Hadera notes that "Kadima is in the process of being registered as a charitable non-for-profit organization."
Hadera is a graduate of Gray Academy of Jewish Education (class of 2010.) She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a major in psychology. She spent one year of her degree studying dance at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, as well as engaging in general arts studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She currently works for Jewish Child and Family Services as a support worker.