Dance List for Shabbat 3/24/2018

1. Come Let Us Go Up (Song) >> Od Yishama dance ........ (Level 1)
2. Psalm 150 ....................................................................... (Level 1)
3. Good Good Father (song) >> Dance With Me ................ (Level 2)
4. I Was Blind (song) >> Klezmer ....................................... (Level 2) 
5. God of Our Fathers (song)  >>  Sulam Ya'akov + 4 Corners ... (Level 2)
6. Psalm 136 / Give Thanks to The Lord ............................. (Level 1) 

 

Songs for Shabbat 3/17/2018

This Shabbat We Are Having a Special Celebration:

Eliana's Birthday and Bat Mitzvah!

ELIANA,

 & 

Mazel Tov!

1. 10000 Reasons ......................................................... (Level 2)
2. It Is Good .................................................................. (Level 1)
3. He's Put Laughter Into My Soul (song) >> Adapted Shibolet Basadeh dance ................................................................................... (Level 1)
4. Trees of the Field (song) >> Od Yishama dance ...... (Level 1)
5. No Longer Slaves .....................................................  (Level 1)

 

Songs for Worship on Shabbat 12/2/2017

1. Holy Spirit You Are Welcome >> Od Yishama ... (Level 1)
2. Dodi Li (song)  ................................................... (Level 2)
3. Kadosh (song) ................................................... (Level 2)
4. B'Elohim (song) >> Nigun Atik / Zemer Atik ...... (Level 1) 

Israeli Folk Dance: Ve'afilu Behastara

Even in our most difficult times, when God seems to have hidden His face from us, our Heavenly Father still stands with us. Enjoy and be encouraged in every circumstance!  See lyrics here.

Worship Songlist for 11/11/2017

Practice these dances:

1. Walk in the Promise (song) >> Boker ........ (Level 3)
2. How I Praise You >> Ma Navu .................. (Level 2)
3. Good Good Father (song) >> Dance With Me ... (Level 2)
4. AMIDAH: Holy >> No Dancin
5. Sing to Jesus ...............................................(Level 2)
6. Kaddish >> Sulam Ya'akov ........................ (Level 2)

Israeli Folk Dance: Yasu Hachaim

 

Songs for Worship Service 10/21/2017

Dances:

1. As We Gather & The Steadfast Love Medley >> Hoshiana .... (Level Intro/ABC)
2. Dodi Li (song)  ................................................. (Level 2)
3. Kadosh (song) ................................................. (Level 2)

Songlist for Simchat Torah Celebration 10/14/2017

Dances:

1. 10000 Reasons ......................................................... (Level 2)
2. Worthy Is The Lamb (song) >> Klezmer ................... (Level 2)
3. Melech Ozair (New, song) ........................................ (Level 1) 
4. It Is Good .................................................................. (Level 1)
5. He's Put Laughter Into My Soul (song) >> Adapted Shibolet Basadeh dance,        and faster!! ................................................................ (Level 1)
6. Behold God Is My Salvation (song) >> Sovevuni ...... (Level 2)
7. Psalm 150 .................................................................. (Level 1)
8. Blow a Shofar in Zion (song) >> Hoshiana ....(Level Intro/ABC)
9. Oh Give Thanks .......................................................... (Level 1)

Hag Sukkot

We have reached the end of Hag Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles/Booths) and it is a time of great rejoicing! It is often also called the Hag Ha'asif (the Feast of Ingathering) because Sukkot celebrates the final ingathering of all the harvest for the year (Leviticus 23:39 and Deuteronomy 16:13). Now, we know that these feasts are a type and shaddow of events that lay in the future. But to me, they also have meaning for today. It is not a coincidence that the season of ingathering is paired with the command to live in tents; in vulnerable, temporary dwellings: As we rejoice in the fruit of our labor and in the abundance we can count as our own, we must remember that we really are fully dependent on God's kindness to have all this abundance. As we live in vulnerable tents, we are to remember that God tabernacles with us and that He is still our sole provider, protector, and defender. The abundance we enjoy is not the fruit just of our own effort, but of our efforts blessed by God's grace, goodness, and favor towards us. It is He who empowers us and makes all our efforts productive and successful.

The 7th Day: Hoshana Rabbah

The 7th day of Sukkot is called Hoshana Rabbah, meaning, The Great Supplication for Salvation. It is considered the last of the Days of Judgment. The idea is that judgment is rendered on Yom Kippur, but is finalized and celebrated on Hoshana Rabbah. Originally, this was the last day of Sukkot (Leviticus 23:33-43). Some treat it like a mini Yom Kippur. According to Rabbinic tradition, on Hoshana Rabbah, God judges regarding whether or not Israel should receive her annual rainfall for the crops of the following year, which brings us to...

The 8th & 9th Days Are Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

Click here for a simple explanation of these two holidays. In Temple days, a feast called Simchat Beit HaShoeva (The Celebration of the Outpourring of Water, or, the Water Libation Ceremony,) used to be held at the Temple in Jerusalem. Traditionally, this was the day the Jewish people used to pray for rain for the crops of the following year because Shemini Atzeret was near the beginning of the rainy season. The water was brought up to the temple mount from the Shiloach stream, downhill.

Below is a modern day reenactment, in October 2014. of this ancient ceremony. It starts out at the Shiloach stream, walking up to somewhere near the temple walls. In the Tanach, wine had to be pourred out on the altar with every other sacrifice. Since there is no temple in Jerusalem; thus no altar to pour the water and the wine out on, they set up two small makeshift altars outside the temple wall. So, here we see them pouring out the water and the wine on these makeshift altars. Note that they are using trumpets of hammered silver like the ones mentioned in Numbers 10.

Simchat Torah in Jerusalem




Simchat Torah in Tel Aviv 




Join us this Shabbat!!

Let's celebrate, together, God's Written Torah!

...and let's rejoice in Yeshua, God's Living Torah! 

See you then!

Worship Songlist for 9/23/2017

Dances:

1. Psalm 150 ........................................................ (Level 1)
2. Blow a Shofar in Zion (song) >> Hoshiana ....(Level Intro/ABC)
3. 10000 Reasons ................................................ (Level 2)
4. Dodi Li (song)  .................................................. (Level 2)
5. Revelation Song (song) >> Hora Medura ......... (Level 2)
6. Shabbat Shalom  .........................................  (Level Intro/ABC)

If we have a lot of dancers,  or, if the dance is unknown/Level 2+, please form circles around the dance guide(s)  in the center.

The Yemenite-Jewish Wedding Dance

 This is how Yemenite Jews have celebrated weddings for centuries. Now it has become part of Jewish life. Yemen is the English word for the Middle-Eastern country of Teman. Check out how the basic Yemenite step is used by the bridesmaids! Simple and very nice!

Worship Songlist for 9/16/2017

Dances:

1. The Trees of the Fields (song) >> Od Yishama ....... (Level 1)
2. Rejoice O Zion ......................................................... (Intro / ABC)
3. Psalm 136 / Give Thanks to The Lord ...................... (Level 1)
4. How Great Is Our God (song) >> You're Beautiful ... (Level 1)
5. God of Our Fathers (song)  >>  Sulam Ya'akov + 4 Corners ... (Level 2)
6. Shabbat Shalom  ..............................................  (Level Intro/ABC)

If we have a lot of dancers,  or, if the dance is unknown/Level 2+, please form circles around the dance guide(s)  in the center.

Major Weekly Israeli Folk Dance Session in Tel Aviv

This is what the inside weekly IFD sessions look like. All across the land of Israel and all around the world in any cities where Jewish people can be found, there are either weekly or biweekly dance sessions at a Jewish community center. This one is one of the major ones at Tel Aviv University.

Songlist for Shabbat 9/9/2017

Dances:

1. Dance with Me ................................................ (Level 2)
2. Walk in the Promise (song)  >> Boker ............ (Level 3)
3. Psalm 150 ....................................................... (Level 1)
4. Fix My Eyes (song) >> Hora Medura .............. (Level 2)
5. Kadosh (song) ..................................................(Level 2)
6. Hoshiana (Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord) song ..... (Level Intro/ABC)

If we have a lot of dancers,  or, if the dance is unknown/Level 2+, please form circles around the dance guide(s)  in the center.

Israel's Folk Dance Tradition

This is a very short documentary of how folk dancing is an integral part of life in Israel.

Songs for Shabbat Service 9/2/2017

Dances:

1. 10000 Reasons ................................................. (Level 2)
2. Dodi Li (song)  .................................................. (Level 2)
3. Love the Lord (song)  >> Tzadik Katamar ........ (Level 1)
4. Revelation Song (song) >> Hora Medura ......... (Level 2)
5. Shabbat Shalom  ........................................  (Level Intro/ABC)

If we have a lot of dancers,  or, if the dance is unknown/Level 2+, please form circles around the dance guide(s)  in the center.

The Evolution of Chassidic Dance

This is a dance comedy covering the various forms of chassidic dance in the order they were introduced into Jewish tradition.

Enjoy it!

Shabbat Songlist 08/26/2017

Practice these dances:

1. Walk in the Promise (song)  >> Boker ........... (Level 3)
2. It Is Good ....................................................... (Level 1)
3. O Give Thanks ............................................... (Level 1)
4. He Is My Defense (song) ............................... (Level 1)
5. Baruch Haba >> (Sham Harei Golan) ........... (Level 2)
6. Open My Lips ................................................ (Level 1)
   
7. Amidah .......................................................... (Level 2)

If we have a lot of dancers, please form circles around the dance guides dancing in the center.

A Quick Note About Levels:

Level Intro/ABC .................... Very Easy
Level 1 .................................. Easy
Level 2 .................................. Challenging
Level 3 .................................. Very Challenging

Karmon Dancers & The Histadrut Group

This is an Israeli dance group from the 60's. Lovely dance and fun to watch.

Enjoy!

Worship Songlist for 8/19/2017

Practice these dances:

1. Love the Lord (song)  >> Tzadik Katamar ...... (Level 1)
2. It Is Good ........................................................ (Level 1)
3. O Give Thanks ................................................ (Level 1)
4. Yeshua (orig. in Port.) >> Eretz Eretz ............. (Level 2)
5. I Was Blind  (song) >> Klezmer ...................... (Level 2)

If we have a lot of dancers, please form circles around the dance guides dancing in the center.

A Quick Note About Levels:

Level Intro/ABC .................... Very Easy
Level 1 .................................. Easy
Level 2 .................................. Challenging
Level 3 .................................. Very Challenging

The Mitzvah Tanz - A Chassidic Wedding Dance

Following the custom of honoring a bride, the Mitzvah Tanz (Yiddish for "Mitzvah Dance") is danced when Rabbis and men in a Chassidic community rejoice in song and dance in the presence of a bride.

Songlist for 8/12/2017 Worship

Practice these dances:

1. Mayim, Mayim  ................................................. (Level 1)
2. In the Presence of Your People (The Celebration Song)                                           >> Nigun/Zemer Atik ........................................ (Level 1)
3. Psalm 150 ........................................................ (Level 1)
4. Dodi Li (song)  .................................................. (Level 2)
5. Kadosh (song) ...................................................(Level 2)
6. Holy (song)  >> Dance: Sovevuni (adapted).. .. (Level 2)

If we have a lot of dancers, please form circles around the dance guides dancing in the center.

A Quick Note About Levels:

Level Intro/ABC .................... Very Easy
Level 1 .................................. Easy
Level 2 .................................. Challenging
Level 3 .................................. Very Challenging

The Yemenite Dance

Here we see Ofra Haza (the Barbara Streisand of Isaral) singing and dancing a Yemenite song and wearing the traditional Yemenite bridal attire. Ofra's family are Temani (Yemenite) Religious Jews who made aliyah (emigrated) to Israel. Most of her songs are about God, and this one is from her album of traditional religious songs. Unfortunately, she died young, but she is remembered with love by Jews around the world.

Here we see what the Yemenite step looks like in a traditional Yemenite dance. It is a basic step in Yemenite dances.

Songlist for Worship Service 08/05/2017

Practice these dances:

1. No Longer Slaves ..........................................  (Level 1)
2. Dodi Li (song)  ................................................ (Level 2)
3. David's Cry (song) ...................................... ..  (NEW-No song or dance yet)
4. I Was Blind  (song)...........................................(NEW-No dance yet)
5. Shabbat Shalom  ...........................................  (Level Intro/ABC)

If we have a lot of dancers, please form circles around the dance guides dancing in the center.

A Quick Note About Levels:

Level Intro/ABC .................... Very Easy
Level 1 .................................. Easy
Level 2 .................................. Challenging
Level 3 .................................. Very Challenging

IFD Bou Nashir Le'eretz Yafah

This wonderful Israeli Folk Dance is called Come Let Us Sing to A Beautiful Land. This is a level 3 dance. Just for your enjoyment.

"and give him no rest till he restores Yerushalayim and makes it a praise on earth."
~ Isaiah 62:7

Shabbat Song List 7/29/2017

Practice these dances:

1. Mayim, Mayim  ............................................ ..  (Level 1)
2. Psalm 150 ....................................................... (Level 1)
3. Dodi Li (song)  ................................................. (Level 2)
4. Holy (song)  >> Dance: Sovevuni (adapted).... (Level 2)
5. No Longer Slaves ..........................................  (Level 1)

If we have a lot of dancers, please form circles around the dance guides dancing in the center.

A Quick Note About Levels:

Level Intro/ABC .................... Very Easy
Level 1 .................................. Easy
Level 2 .................................. Challenging
Level 3 .................................. Very Challenging

IFD Community Dancing

This week, I want to give you a quick peek into an Israeli Folk Dance (IFD) gathering at one of the many community centers throughout Israeli cities. When I (Joy) used to live in Israel, I would attend one of the community dance centers in my area. Once a week, there would be a community dance practice in most communities and the dance hall would always fill up with people dancing in circles or lines. The admission fee was cheap, at the time, 7 shekels (about $2) per evening. It was so much fun!

During national celebration holidays and on a few Biblical holy days, something similar would happen outside in the streets of Jerusalem. There would be joyful Israeli music blaring and hundreds of people walking in the streets. Suddenly, one group would start dancing and then dance would start breaking out all over the place as groups of people formed circles. It was amazing!

This video is very short, only a little over one minute. But it gives you a great sense of the atmosphere of Jewish community dancing. Here they are dancing to one of my favorite songs, "Eretz Nehederet" (A Wonderful Country.) Enjoy!

Here is an example of Jewish community dancing in the streets.

Until tomorrow!

Worship Song List for Shabbat 7/22/2017

Practice these dances:

1. The Ransomed of the Lord (song)  ................  (Level 1)
2. He Is My Defense (song) ................................. (Level 1)
3. Dodi Li (song)  ................................................. (Level 2)
4. Holy (song)  >> Dance: Sovevuni (adapted).... (Level 2)
5. Shabbat Shalom  ............................................  (Level Intro/ABC)

If we have a lot of dancers, please form circles around the dance guides dancing in the center.

A Quick Note About Levels:

Level Intro/ABC .................... Very Easy
Level 1 .................................. Easy
Level 2 .................................. Challenging
Level 3 .................................. Very Challenging

A Modern-Day Israeli Folk Dance (IFD) Group

This week we are featuring an IFD Group from Haifa called Yuvalim Haifa. Here they are performing a merge of three types of dances: A women's, a men's, and a couples dance. So, you get to see three in one!

See you on Shabbat!

Worship Songs 7/8/2017

Dance practice list for this coming Shabbat:

1. Hoshiana (Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord) song ..... (Level Intro/ABC)
2. Psalm 150 ................................................. (Level 1)
3. Mayim, Mayim ........................................... (Level 1)
4. Dodi Li (song) ............................................ (Level 2 - NEW!)
5. Holy (song)  >> Sovevuni adapted ............ (Level 2)

Songs for Shabbat 7/1/2017

Dance practice list for upcoming Shabbat:

In the Presence of Your People (The Celebration Song)  >> Nigun/Zemer Atik ...... (Level 1)
Dance with Me ...... (Level 2)
Oh Give Thanks ...... (Level 1)
Walk in the Promise (song)  >> Boker ...... (Level 3)
God of Our Fathers (song)  >>  Sulam Ya'akov + 4 Corners...... (Level 2)

Video of Jewish Wedding Bottle Dance

This dance became famous thanks to the movie Fiddler On The Roof (one of my favorite Jewish movies.) This dance shows the Eastern European influence on Chassidic dancing tradition. The setting for the movie is Russia, 1905. Today, the Wedding Bottle Dance is still being performed but now by a new generation of Jewish men. Hope you like!

Shabbat Songlist 6/24/2017

Practice these dances:

1. Walk in the Promise (song) >> Boker ..... (Level 3)
2. Baruch Haba ..... (Level 2)
3. Oh Lord, You're Beautiful (dance: coming soon! song)  ..... (Intro Level / Level ABC)
4. Rejoice O Zion ..... (Intro / ABC)
5. Amidah (Blessed Are You) .....  (Level 1)

Maybe also:

1. Kadosh (song) .....(Level 2)
2. Hine Ma Tov .....(Level 1)

If we have a lot of dancers, please form circles around the dance guides dancing in the center.

A Quick Note About Levels:

Level Intro/ABC ..................... Very Easy
Level 1 .................................. Easy
Level 2 .................................. Challenging
Level 3 .................................. Very Challenging


Check out this video of IFD Group Shalom in the 80's

This Israeli dance group toured in the 80's and 90's. I used to have a VHS of a video collage of their dance tours and dances. I played the video so much that it eventually died! Shalom dance group was amazing! The video showed how modern day IFD (=Israeli folk dances) incorporates many of the dance styles of countries where the Jewish people had lived in exile and were returning from.This is why modern day IFD does not only reflect its Middle-Eastern roots but also reflects influences of folk dances from all around the world: Europe (including chassidic and orthodox styles), Asia, Latin America, North America (includes country line dancing), and Africa.

Folk dancing is about community, about rejoicing in unity and brotherhood, not about romance or sensuality. This is why I believe that modern day IFD also serves as a great dance-worship expression for peoples everywhere! Every culture and every church that I have had the privilege of introducing IFD to, as a means of dance worship, has received it well and enjoyed it.

The video below shows the Eastern-European influences in Israeli folk dancing. Relax and enjoy!

I want to know how you like worshiping with IFD. Share in the comments below.

Worship Songlist 6/17/2017

:

1. It Is Good
2. He's Put Laughter Into My Soul (song) >> Adapted Shibolet Basadeh  (dance) And faster!!
3. How I Praise You >> Ma Navu
4. How He Loves Us (song) >> Adapted Sing to Jesus (dance video)
5. No Longer Slaves

"Adapted" means the original dance has been adapted a little to match the song we are dancing to. If you practice the dance you will be able to follow us when we dance the adapted version. Just knowing the actual dance steps makes a big difference. The adapted movements and steps are minimal and very easy. You will be able to follow us easily.

 Dance Playlist for Practice 

If we have a lot of dancers, please form circles around the dance guides dancing in the center.

Check out these dances by two Israeli folk dance groups from the 60s!

At the end of the first video, the Shibolet Basadeh dance is the couples dance version.

The second video presents typical Yemenite dances--one female and one male dance.

Enjoy! Let me know what you think in the comments below. Would you like me to add more of these Israeli folk dance group videos (as I find them)?