We Want to See the City Dancing!!!

"… I introduced Israeli dance into the curriculum three decades ago. Thirty years later, I can honestly say without reservation, that I have personally witnessed over and over again, how Israeli folkdance has inspired so many people, old and young alike, to draw closer to our Creator and our people." Rabbi Paul Silton, Albany, New York

As Education Director for Keshet Chaim, I am very excited to tell you about our newly expanded Education Department. For the past 15 years, we have served thousands of children in LAUSD public schools. It is wonderful to introduce diverse groups of students to the beauty of Israeli culture. More recently, we have focused on expanding our widely acclaimed programs to include Jewish schools, temples, and community centers.

"It is especially gratifying to bring Israeli dance to Jewish communities, because we are connecting these children and families to their own culture, putting them back in touch with themselves. There was dancing in Biblical days and Jews have danced in one form or another throughout the ages since then, whether to express the joys of spiritual ecstasy or the sadness of dispersion and persecution. Today we dance both to celebrate our freedoms and communities and to remain connected to our past and our people." Erica Goldman, Los Angeles

Our recent outreach campaign to Jewish schools has been highly successful - so successful that we needed more teachers. Therefore, we developed a training program for Israeli folk dance instructors, creating a pool of professional teaching artists ready to provide a unique service with an outstanding curriculum. Sharing dances, teaching tips and heartwarming stories from their experiences, our master teachers are exuberant and joyful, and pass on their love of Israeli dance and culture as well as their materials and curricula to the apprentice teachers.

This past year, we have provided services to countless temples, camps, schools, and community centers. Among them are Temple Menorah, Temple Sinai of Glendale, Beth Chayim Chadashim, Temple Akiba, Temple Aliyah, Temple Kol Tikvah, Sinai Temple, Adat Ari El, Temple Shofar, Adat Shalom, Chabad of Glendale, Chabad of Sherman Oaks, Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, JCC at Milken Summer Camp, Camp Alonim, Camp Ramah, Temple Judea, Camp Menorah, Tuvia Preschool of Temple Menorah, Kadima Hebrew Academy, Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School, Milken Community High School, and New Community Jewish High School.

Our programs are built to be adjusted to each community's specific goals and restraints. Various age groups, levels of dance experience, and scheduling frequencies can all be accommodated. If you would like more information on bringing us to your temple or school, please contact, Cecilia Hanono, Education Director at (818) 784-0344.