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Jewish dance isdance associated withJews andJudaism. Dance has long been used by Jews as a medium for the expression of joy and other communal emotions. Dancing is a favorite pastime and plays a role inreligious observance.[1]
Dances associated withAshkenazi andSephardi traditions, especiallyJewish wedding dances, are an integral part of Jewish life around the world. Folk dances associated withZionism and the formation of the State ofIsrael became popular in the 1950s.[2]
AmongAshkenazi Jews dancing toklezmer music was an integral part of weddings inshtetls. Jewish dance was influenced by local non-Jewish dance traditions, but there were clear differences, mainly in hand and arm motions, with more intricate legwork by the younger men.[3] Jewish religious law frowned on mixed dancing, dictating separate circles for men and women.
InHasidic Judaism, dance is a tool for expressing joy and is believed to purify the soul, promote spiritual elation and unify the community. It also thought to stimulate joy and therefore to have a therapeutic effect.[4]
TheHorah is a Jewishcircle dance typically danced to the music ofHava Nagila. It is traditionally danced atJewish weddings and other joyous occasions in the Jewish community.[5] The popularity of Horah in Israel is attributed by some to the Romanian Jewish dancerBaruch Agadati. In 1924, he choreographed a show performed by the workers' theater "Ohel", which toured the pioneer settlements of theJezreel Valley. "Hora Agadati," as the dance was known, became a success there. The dance was influenced by the Romanian one and some features of Russian dances. Over the time the dance evolved, and in mid-1940s its creator said that now it had become a real folk dance.[6][7]
TheTza’ad Temani is a form of dancing based on hopping in place.[8] The Tza'ad Temani is frequently incorporated in public dancing at Jewish weddings and celebrations. TheInbal Dance Theater specializes in Temani dancing in Israel.[9]
InRussia andFrance, theBallets Russes was "primarily a Jewish creation," according toPaul Johnson.[10] In the United States, Jewish choreographers and dancers have been leading figures in the dance world, among themJerome Robbins,Anna Sokolow,Michael Bennett,Michael Kidd,Ron Field,Arthur Murray,Helen Tamiris andPearl Lang.Lincoln Kirstein was one of the founders of theSchool of American Ballet, The American Ballet and theNew York City Ballet.
One of the pioneers of modern dance in Israel wasGertrud Kraus, who immigrated toMandatory Palestine in 1935 and formed a modern dance company affiliated with the Tel Aviv Folk Opera.[11] In 1950-1951, she founded the Israel Ballet Theatre, and became its artistic director.[11] Contemporary dance in Israel is influenced by Israeli folk dance and European traditions. Dance companies include the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, Inbal Dance Theater,Bat-Dor Dance Company andBatsheva Dance Company.
Jewish dance in America stemmed from the minds of choreographers such asMartha Graham and her mentee, Anna Sokolow. They created works of moving art that served as a form of advocacy and awareness of the growing antisemitism in the United States during the post World War II period.[12] These works, such asThe Exile premiered by Anna Sokolow in 1939, sparked both criticism and acts of praise from the public. Some saw this modern movement as a beautiful tribute to those who had been persecuted during World War II while others, including critics fromThe New York Times, saw it as an unnecessary form of propaganda.[12] This type of modern dance was taught at companies such as theMartha Graham Dance Company and theNew Dance Group.
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