Memories... I've Always Loved to Dance

The last time I performed in the Israeli Folk Dance Festival was in 1970. This was the late Fred Berk's dream festival as finally the dancers danced onto the performance area of Felt Forum, which usually featured sports games, not dancers. Each dancing group was given a spot to dance to then sit down, until it was time to perform. Then we got up and danced to the center, danced our dance and then danced back to the waiting spot. After all of the groups performed we all got up and danced "Kumah Eicha" in separate circles and then exited. That was my last dance at the festival, since a few months later I got married; two months after that we boarded Greek Lines Anna Marie... Yes, that's how we came to Israel as olim chadashim, new immigrants.

^

In 1970, for the second year in a row I led the NCSY National Conference of Synagogue Youth Dance Group. We had the bride and the long skirts. Yes, we stand out in the movie. I also danced in the 1967 festival, when our group was led by the amazing Leah Weiner, Z"L. 

I was privileged to attend Fred Berk's 1967-8 Leadership and Choreography course offered to potential dance leaders from the different youth movements. I learned a lot from him that year. And I have no doubt that is the reason my 1969 NCSY Dance Group was accepted to perform in the Israeli Folk Dance Festival, even though he wasn't crazy about my choreography. One of the festival's staff members met with us and choreographed the actual dance we performed. I had to coach and dance it. Luckily my dancers had a better memory than I did, so Fred and the choreographer were pleased and allowed us to participate. 

I also danced with the NCSY delegation as we marched in the Salute to Israel Parade. The organizers used a picture of me and my friend dancing in the 1968 Parade as part of the advertisement for the 1969 Parade. Today we both live in Israel and not all that far from each other.

Can you guess which is me?

Memories...

Singalong, Yair Rosenblum

One of the more recent Saturday night, Motza"Sh, meaning after Shabbat, activities here in Shiloh has been singalongs.

Way back when in the early decades in Israel, singalongs were very popular social/cultural activities. There would be slides, a slide projector and a big screen or cleared off wall, so the participants could read the words. Music would frequently be provided by someone playing an accordian. When there wasn't anyone to provide live music, there would be a tape recorder. Now everything's online and via the computer. Last year when I attended a singalong, the volume was turned down and a young neighbor ended up playing absolutely everything on the piano.

This time one of our "social coordinators" combined a television program about Yair Rosenblum with some "slides" of the lyrics.

I'm not an expert when it comes to who wrote Israeli songs. I know almost nothing, except about Naomi Shemer.  In a sense they were contemporaries, since they wrote some of their most famous songs during the same time period.

Yair Rosenblum:
Rosenblum was born in Tel Aviv.^[5] He was musical director of the Israel Defense Forces chorus in the 1960s and 1970s.^[6] He directed Israel's annual music festivals.^[5][6]He conducted and composed songs for the Israel Defense Forces army and navy ensembles.

Some songs I knew, others were familiar, and some I had never heard before. It was an enjoyable evening. I'd really like a singalong of Israeli songs we used to dance to. Then I'd feel young...