By Dan Haddad, recipient of an ROI Micro Grant. Dan created a pro-Israel multi-media platform, Size Doesn't Matter (SDM), and he used this grant to develop some fresh content for SDM on the topic of gay pride in Israel.

There is one feeling that is consistent when I think of Israel, and that’s pride. I am proud of what this little country has accomplished in so little time. I am proud of it’s innovative nature, its accomplishments in the arts, and its diversity on so many levels, but most of all, I am proud of its’ commitment to human rights, freedom and peace. To be more specific, I am proud of its’ record and welcoming spirit towards the LGBTQ community. Israel has shown to be more progressive than many others within the community of nations, not just its neighbors, but globally.
 
I decided to take it upon myself, with the help of an ROI grant and try to showcase that spirit using a platform I created (Size Doesn’t Matter) and collaborating with a fellow ROIer (Benji Lovitt). The Idea is to create enough material (online and off) using video and photography to help the viewer get a sense of the spirit I’m so proud of. 



It is imperative that those who have not experienced pride in Tel Aviv, get a little taste of it, and hopefully decide to visit at some point. This experience has not only increased my pride in Israel, it has made me aware of how many (jews and not) appreciate its spirit of inclusiveness. This year, Over 20,000 tourists joined thousands of Israelis at the Tel Aviv pride parade. Jews, non-jews, straight and gay joined hand in hand to celebrate. With the help of the grant I headed to Israel last june and took pictures and videos during pride, I also collaborated on a video, that was released on YouTube and will be shown at different prides at the SDM tablesaround Canada. The ROI grant is helping me with my efforts to advocate on behalf of Israel in Canada.