This is the third in an occasional series of stories on the rich array of classes offered to Milwaukee’s Jewish community and the people who participate in them.
Sometimes in a circle, sometimes in a line and sometimes in pairs, but always synchronized, a lively and committed group of Milwaukeeans dances the best in Israeli folk dance every Monday night. Minor chords of modern Israeli tunes mingle with the plaintive notes of the desert as the dancers build their repertoire, enjoying old favorites as they add new ones each week.
The group, which began in 1999 and meets at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, includes young and old, Jewish and non-Jewish. After a 45-minute beginner’s class, the intermediate/advanced class begins at 7:45 p.m. The class includes just over an hour of instruction by Barbara Altman and a half-hour of “request dancing” before it concludes at 9:30 p.m.
Following is a sampling of the dancers and their stories:
Debbie Schermer
I started folk dancing when I lived in Israel, which was in 1985. When I learned about dance, I decided I had to learn every dance.
There’s nothing not to like about it. It’s great exercise. I love the music. It has great cultural significance.
I’ve moved around a lot as an adult, and the way to meet people has been to go to Israeli folk dance groups.
Pat Taige [who teaches the beginner’s class]
I started dancing in 1983 when I worked in a kibbutz factory for six months as part of my engineering studies. Some of the people went folk dancing.
I did it in Germany, where I’m from, and during my studies in Columbus, Ohio, where I had a children’s group (3rd-8th grade) and a small adult performing group.
I go to dance camps, including two in London. I love it…. Once you get into it … you can’t stop.
Jessica Taige
I’m 16 … I have been dancing pretty much ever since I could walk. When I was little my mom (Pat) used to take me dancing with her, and I would just join the circle and try my best to follow.
It’s while I dance that I am able to escape from all my schoolwork and everything else that is going on. There was a year in which I practically did not dance at all, but as soon as I came back, I couldn’t leave it again. I’m pretty much hooked for life.
Shachar Peles
I got started in school in Israel because they made us. We had a group in middle school and high school. My parents [former Milwaukeeans Yaffa and David] always danced. I stopped dancing for many years after leaving Israel. Now, when I visit my family in Israel, I dance with them.
I’ve been part of this group for one year. It’s good exercise. It’s good to lose weight.
I teach dance — swing dance and lindy hop — at Marquette, where I study computer science. I dance Salsa too. I love Salsa.
Laura Waite
My mother used to dance with Kalaniot, the Israeli performing group. She started somewhere in the late ’60s. So I grew up watching her perform and occasionally trying to shadow her.
I also do international dance on Tuesdays. I didn’t start coming here until about a year and a half ago. I guess I got hooked.
I like it for a number of reasons — the music, the people. It’s a very communal activity. I try to come as often as I can.
Betania Silva
I think this is my third year in this group. Someone told me about it.
I’ve always wanted to learn Israeli folk dance. I’ve always had an interest in Jewish culture. I just love Israeli music…. It’s very pretty, the instruments they use — it’s very different from all the other music.
Shachar [Peles] is teaching me Salsa. I’m from Puerto Rico and he’s teaching me Salsa!
I have two jobs and this is like a therapy for me, a distraction from work.
Barbara Altman, instructor
I started dancing in ’57 as a part of Young Judea. I was co-director of Kalaniot, and from ’80-’85 I directed an all-women’s group called Bat Teman.
I didn’t do any Israeli folk dance in Milwaukee from ’85-’99 although I went to two dance camps every year.
Now, I teach Israeli folk dance at Congregation Shalom, and chair exercise to Israeli music at Laurel Oaks Retirement Community, the Golda Meir house, JCC Senior Center and the Jewish Home and Care Center. I also teach as a representative of the International Institute of Wisconsin.
In all the years that I’ve danced, this is the finest and most capable group of dancers I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. They’re amazing. Visitors who come from out of state can’t believe how well we get along.
My goals for this class are: one, exercise and the joy of Israeli music and dance; and two, preserving the offering of Israeli folk dance in Milwaukee. One of my major goals is that people who travel outside the city know the dances that are popular now and be able to participate elsewhere.
My favorite thing to say to my dancers is that when you come to class you have to do two things: sweat and laugh. I think we do that pretty well.
The Israeli folk dance class is offered free of charge and participants may join at any time. For more information, call the JCC at 414-964-4444.
Editor’s note: Having starting Israeli dancing when I was 12, I describe my “addiction” as something that helps me fly through the week!
Loading ...