A surprising invitation presented itself during the beginning weeks of the New Year. I say “surprising” only because the invitation was unexpected and of an unknown nature to me. Considering myself well versed in many cultural practices from around the world, especially within the realm of dance, I do not know how Israeli dancing escaped my radar.
My interest in dancing began with Ms. Goldsmith, my 3rd grade music teacher, circa 1976. She taught the class “the hustle” and other various line-dancing amalgamations. I’m dating myself, but it is important to know that what she was teaching was a deviation from paired or couples dancing such as “the bop”. This began my period of improvisation and a free-style form, better known as dancing very badly. My sister tried to correct my wild movements by introducing me to “the bump”. This only led to bruised hip injuries.
Fast forward to the 1980’s and Irish folk dancing via a PBS special featuring Michael Flatley in Riverdance. I’ve forgotten what the initial impulse of captivation that held me glued to the weeklong television special. Perhaps it was the usual teenage pull toward the latest “in” thing. I am a product of my generation’s proclivities & foibles.
Several decades later, I found myself thriving as a barista in a popular bookstore/cafe chain. Books, coffee, and discounts on both have taken up my attention. I am always writing, rewriting a novel and/or poetry. Something was missing. Perhaps it is “the dancing”.Marc, who is a regular at the bookstore/café chain, invited me to an Israeli dance class in January of this year. I still don’t know how I missed knowing about the existence of Israeli dance. So, on a wintery day, I ride the train to the Germantown Jewish Centre to have an old interest in dancing become rekindled.
I was surprised by how friendly the group was. I was beckoned to just jump in and start dancing. My default nature is to stand back and observe. It worked in the 3rd grade, why would it fail me now. Perhaps in my head, an 8-year-old self lingers, forgetting that changes have been made in the form of mid-life issues. I resisted the urge and plunged into the circle.
The steps began with simple waltz-like movements and turns to the left or right using sweeping hand gestures. I loved doing that. I felt like I was getting the hang of rhythm, the overall movement. Then, the level of difficultly increased. I began laughing at myself and how I almost crashed into other dancers and a pillar. There was no judgment at my ineptness and feeble attempts to keep up. When the dancing became too difficult, I sat down, quite winded, and began to watch.
Marc was lost in his own world. Others were in various states of harmony and enjoyment. There were no hierarchies of dancers ensconced in a clique. Several dancers had conversations while dancing. Many reassured me to just have fun and helped me grasp the various steps. The vibe was carefree and light. If you arrived with any drama, it could not survive within the dance circle.
Israeli Dance would not be Israeli Dance without the music. Marc gave me a brief history of Israeli Dance, how it changed to include cultural influences from various countries within folk traditions, and how Israel has made the choreography and music an institution within the Jewish community and beyond. My mind gravitated toward the music and the dance steps. The movements felt spiritual without being rigid. The music calmed me in a surprising way.
My overall experience of the Israeli Dance class has been positive. The only downfall I see is my sporadic attendance. This article is being written a month after attending my first class. In the interim, I watch videos of Israeli Dance, having a solitary class in the privacy of my small room. To be scheduled off on a Sunday is a rare treat and as familiar as the appearance of a blue moon. In the meantime, I smile knowing there is a place where I can dance and forget the worries of the world for at least an hour.
Namaste
Ed Note: On Jan 11th, 2015, Dawn Watts attended the Sunday morning Germantown Jewish Centre session led by Grant. Click Here to see some pictures of Dawn's visit that day. Dawn is an aspiring novelist and as you can already see is an accomplished writer. So, this web site also extended an invitation to Dawn to describe her experience with Israeli dancing which you are reading above in this script. Dawn accompanied her story with several quotes pertaining to dance and we have copied these here also. One additional note: Nameste is not the universal greeting of Israeli dance but is the expression used to honor your instructor and your practice at the conclusion of a session of Yoga.
And, one more thing. Dawn uses Dawn Watts as a professional writing name. Under a different last name, you can see Dawn highlighted in an Internet article at http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/blogs/humanatwork/item/81411?linktype=hp_blogs