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Public view Hove Israeli Dance Group
Venue: Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas (near Hove Station)
Day/time: Tuesdays, 7.45 – 9.45 pm
Contact numbers for new members: Jacky (tel. 01273-688538) and Nicola (01273-410682)
Cost: £4 (£3 for Ralli Hall members)
What is Israeli folk dancing?
Israeli dancing isn’t quite the same as folk dance from other countries, as it was created only during the last century as a synthesis of different folk dance influences coming to Israel via waves of immigration from different parts of the world. The earliest dances emerged from the pre-1914 kibbutz culture and were mostly adapted from traditional central and eastern European dances. Some later dances were influenced by other places from which immigrants came, such as Greece and the Arabic countries of North Africa. There also arose a tradition of creating new dances to celebrate specific events or places.
By the 1950s there was quite a large repertoire forming the basis of Israeli folk dance. Most were circle dances in which everyone holds hands, only letting go when there are turns involved in the step sequence. Of course this is the format in many folk dance traditions and helps to create a feeling of togetherness, sharing and belonging. However, there are also some dances performed in lines, or just occasionally even singly or in couples, but still everyone is dancing the same steps in the same order.
What kind of music is used?
There are many lovely Israeli songs and melodies for which there exist traditional ‘folk’ dances - examples are: ‘Erev Ba’ (Evening Falls), ‘Nigun Atik’ (Ancient Melody), ‘Kvar Acharei Chatzot’ (It’s already after Midnight), ‘Shabbat Shalom’ (needing no translation).The songs on which the dances are based come from a variety of sources and many have beautiful haunting melodies. Some are Psalms or quotations from the Old Testament set to music - for example, ‘Mi Ha’ish’ (Who is the Man – Psalm 34, 12:14), ‘Halleluyah Betsil’tselay Shama’ (Halleluyah with Sounds of Trumpets – Psalm 150, 5:6); ‘Mayim Mayim’ (Water, Water – from Isaiah, Ch.12, v.3), ‘Ma Navu’ (How Pleasant – from Isaiah, Ch.52, v.7), and ‘Shir Ha’Shirim’ (Song of Songs - from Song of Solomon, Ch. 1, v.1:4).
Most, however, are secular, whether love songs, lullabies, poems about nature or songs about Israel itself such as ‘Eretz Israel Yafa’ (Beautiful Land of Israel); ‘Shiri Li Kineret’ (Sing to me, Sea of Galilee); and ‘Yerushalayim Shel Zahav’ (Jerusalem of Gold). Some carry a ‘message’ – for example, ‘Bo Beshalom’ (Come in Peace) or ‘Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu (Salaam)’, meaning "peace will come to us" in both Hebrew and Arabic, symbolising a call for an end to the Arab/Israeli conflict.
New dances being created
A rich repertoire of these dances, with lyrical poetic words and beautiful melodies, was developed throughout the last century but more are being written all the time. This is in fact a unique aspect of Israeli folk dance - the large number of dances constantly being choreographed to Israeli songs and ballads but in the folk dance tradition. The newer dances can respond to more modern influences and so keep the Israeli folk dance scene up-to-date and appealing to the next generation of dancers.
Popular throughout the world
This richness and variety has led to the popularity of Israeli folk dance throughout the world, not just in Israel and not just within the Jewish communities. For example, there is an Israeli Dance Group that meets monthly in Lewes aimed at dance teachers and other experienced dancers, which regularly attracts participants from as far away as Kent and Surrey. Israeli dance groups in London are very popular with young people, for example in Southgate, Golders Green etc.
Which dances survive?
The dances surviving in the longer term aren’t always the old traditional ones but just those that the dancers themselves select as being the most enjoyable and satisfying to do. At the same time the variety of new dances constantly appearing prevents stagnation and provides dedicated dancers with fresh interest and challenges. Of course what defines all these folk dances as ‘Israeli’ has to be that all of them are based on music from Israel and have Israeli choreographers.Hove Israeli Dance Group
The Hove Israeli Dance Group has been learning and enjoying these dances for more than 12 years. It’s a mixed group of both Jewish and non-Jewish people of all ages and of both sexes (yes, even some men!), who share a love of these wonderful Israeli melodies and songs and the dances that have been choreographed for them. It includes both experienced and newer dancers and we try to choose dances for each session which cater for both.
Do you need some experience?
If you’ve had some experience of other forms of folk dancing or perhaps of ‘circle’ dancing, then you might like to give Israeli dancing a try – you’d find many of the steps familiar (‘grapevines’ etc) - or if you might like to have a go as a complete beginner, then it would certainly help if you can distinguish your right foot from your left! Do telephone either of the contact people for new members listed above if you’d like more information.
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