Joining hands to dance in circles, students, faculty and community members gathered for an evening of Israeli folk-dancing at the Carl A. Fields Center on Wednesday. The dances began simply and gained in intensity, one set-piece flowing into another as the evening wore on.
"It's a type of dance where you don't have to be so technically skilled. It [can be] for people who really like dancing but aren't so talented," Jessie Weber '05 said. Weber has danced in Israel and at Princeton.
She currently teaches Israeli dance at a Hebrew school near the University.
The individual dance moves aren't too difficult, students said, but recalling the sequence of the steps is a challenge.
"It's just a matter of remembering the step order," Weber said. "You just have to put yourself next to someone who knows."
Keren Glinert '07 said the dance sessions, which take place on alternate Wednesdays, include participants with a wide range of talent.
"It's very accepting," Glinert said. "Anyone can do it, not like ballet where you have to have the right training and body shape."
This art form also has a cultural significance for many of its participants.
"It's part of the cultural pieces about Israel that parents try to impart to children," Josh Goldsmith '07 said.
Israeli dancing dates from the establishment of Israel in 1948.
Students said it is more indicative of the older generation in Israel than the hip dancing that takes place in modern Tel Aviv discos.
"My grandmother used to like it. They made us do it in primary school, but everyone hated it of course," said Lihi Ben Shitrit '06, who is from Israel.
Music is an important element of Israeli folk-dancing's appeal, Weber said.
"There are folksongs from different cultures and music with Arabic roots. Some songs are in Arabic. The songs always come before the dances," she said.
Goldsmith said he has thought about creating an Israeli dance troupe on campus.
"There are so many other dance troupes on campus. This would be representation from yet another culture," Goldsmith said.
The next session will be on March 28.
Read More
Dean of Graduate School hosts TigerSide Chat to celebrate 125th anniversary
Ambre Van de VeldePriestley highlighted Princeton’s continued leadership in graduate education, noting four new PhD programs just within the past three years: biophysics, bioengineering, quantum science, and material science engineering.
Priestley highlighted Princeton’s continued leadership in graduate education, noting four new PhD programs just within the past three years: biophysics, bioengineering, quantum science, and material science engineering.
‘I thought someone was playing a prank on me’: Princeton releases early action decisions for the Class of 2030
Hayk Yengibaryan and Benedict HooperConsistent with past practice, the University did not release data on the number of students admitted through Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA).
Consistent with past practice, the University did not release data on the number of students admitted through Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA).
Newest minors include Computing, Society and Policy, forthcoming Education Studies
Haeon LeeThe faculty meeting on Dec. 1 saw a unanimous vote to establish a new minor in Education Studies, following the approval of the minor in Computing, Society, and Policy at the end of last spring semester.
The faculty meeting on Dec. 1 saw a unanimous vote to establish a new minor in Education Studies, following the approval of the minor in Computing, Society, and Policy at the end of last spring semester.