להשתתף
The English word attend, historically, has to do with noticing - paying attention. That's the word used to indicate presence, as in, I plan to attend the play, or, I plan to be present at the play.
The Hebrew word used to express this type of presence is לְהִשְׁתַּתֵּף (le-heesh-tah-TEHF), which means, literally, to participate.
For example, הִשְׁתַּתַּפְתִּי בַּטֶּקֶס (heesh-tah-TAHF-tee bah-TEH-kess) - I attended the ceremony - or, literally, I participated in the ceremony.
