Rick Ekstein: Naheed Nenshi told me he was a friend of the Jews. Then came that apology

From left, Rick Ekstein and colleague Anna Tran with Naheed Nenshi at Jewish community event in Calgary. Photo by handout

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Most Canadians think of the Calgary Stampede as 10 days of rodeo, cowboy hats, pancake breakfasts and country music.

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They’re right. But they’re only seeing half the picture.

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For those of us involved in business, public policy, diplomacy and community leadership, the Stampede is also Canada’s largest networking event. Across the city, hundreds of breakfasts, lunches, dinners and receptions are hosted by businesses, charities, industry associations, political parties, diplomats, lobby groups and community organizations.

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Over 10 days, thousands of people move from one event to another. Premiers meet CEOs. Cabinet ministers meet community leaders. Opposition politicians meet ambassadors. Relationships are built, ideas are exchanged and differences are discussed.

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This is not unusual. It is the job.

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The annual Jewish community reception is simply one of those hundreds of events. Politicians from every level of government and every major political party attend. They are not there to endorse every position held by the host organization. They are there because showing up, listening and engaging with Albertans is part of public life.

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I attended this year’s reception on July 3.

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Earlier in the afternoon, I spent several minutes speaking with Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi. I was accompanied by my colleague, Anna Tran.

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I walked over and said something to the effect of, “You probably don’t remember me, but we’ve met a few times over the years.”

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Without hesitation, he smiled, shook my hand and replied that while he couldn’t remember my name, he remembered meeting me.

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I laughed.

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“That’s a pretty good politician’s answer.”

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He smiled but insisted he genuinely remembered me. He recalled that I had served on the board of CIJA and asked what I was doing these days.

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I have to admit, I was impressed.

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I told him that much of my time is now devoted to combating antisemitism and supporting the State of Israel. Half joking, I asked whether he considered himself a friend of the Jewish community.

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His response, as I remember its meaning rather than its precise wording, was immediate. He said the Alberta NDP had separated itself from the federal NDP on these issues and wanted Alberta’s Jewish community to know it had friends in Alberta.

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I left that conversation with a genuinely favourable impression.

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A short time later, I saw Mr. Nenshi chatting with my friend, former premier Jason Kenney, someone who has earned the Jewish community’s respect over many years through both words and actions.

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Unable to resist, I walked over and joked, in substance, “Jason, Naheed tells me he’s every bit as good a friend to the Jewish community as you are.”

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Mr. Nenshi immediately replied that he was.

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My recollection is that Jason’s response was one of those priceless, knowing expressions that needed no words.