![]() ![]() When people who have learned different variants dance together, this may create some mild friction, because the group as a whole is collectively producing a work of art when dancing, and the effect may be spoiled or at least marred if movements are discordant. Some dances are done one way in Israel, a second way in the New York area, and a third way in California. In some cases, no one follows the original steps. For many Israeli folk dances, variants have developed over time. Folklorist Alan Dundes defines folklore as “multiplicity and variation.” Do you believe that this definition applies to Israeli folk dance?Ī. A Polish or Czech polka might be danced to many different pieces of music having the same basic rhythm and similar tempos. (4) While a ballroom dance form such as the waltz can be done to many different pieces of music, most folk dances are done to only a single piece of music (although more than one folk dance may exist for the same piece of music). (3) Folk dances are done primarily by non-professionals (as opposed to ballet). (2) Folk dances are usually done to music of traditional style, but they can also be done to more modern, popular music. There are four things that tend to make a dance a folk dance: (1) The form and style of a folk dance should conform to tradition, at least in part. There is no universally-accepted answer to the question “What is a folk dance?”, and it may be easier to explain what a folk dance is by contrasting folk dance with ballet, ballroom dance, disco and other pop forms of dance, and ceremonial dance. Many synagogues have Israeli folk dancing on a regular basis.Ī. In both countries, some avid Israeli folk dancers are avowedly secular, and rarely if ever set foot inside a synagogue, while others are fairly observant. In both Israel and in the United States, some Israeli folk dancing is done at almost every major celebration, including Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and at weddings. Where and when is Israeli folk dancing traditionally performed?Ī. I learned some dances as a child at my synagogue and at Jewish summercamp, but became serious about folk dancing only as an undergraduate in college. How long have you done Israeli folk dancing, and where did you learn?Ī. Interview: General Background on Israeli Folk Dancing “Mayim, Mayim” captures people’s joy at finally discovering water. Because Israel is a desert, these immigrants faced major hardships, including a severe lack of water. This dance is entirely in the style of a Romanian women’s hora.”Īnalysis: This dance arose during a period when huge numbers of immigrants came to Israel, wanting to work the land. ![]() Informant’s description of dance: “‘Mayim, Mayim’ (Hebrew for ‘Water, Water’) was created in 1938 to commemorate the discovery of water at Kibbutz Na’an after a ten year search. My informant currently teaches Israeli folk dancing on a volunteer basis at Congregation B’nai B’rith, a synagogue in Santa Barbara, California. Every Friday night, after services, some of the congregants will participate in Israeli folk dancing. ![]()
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