by Ophir Lehavy Busel

Created on: July 25, 2009

Israeli folk dancing was a conscious creation. As Jews from Eastern Europe arrived in Israel in the 1920s, and later from the Middle East, the newcomers felt a need to bolster a sense of national identity and culture that inspired the creation of early folk dances. As the Jewish state was formed in 1948 and developed into present day Israel, the dance has evolved with it.

When first created, the dance steps were influenced by the immigrants' countries of origin, but the dances themselves reflected a new Israeli identity. Choreographers used basic dance steps brought from the Balkans, Russia, Yemen, and also some Hasidic ones, and melded them together with lyrics praising the beauty of the land of Israel and a great love for the country. The most well-known example is 'Mayim, Mayim' (Water, Water), created by Ilse Dubon in the 1930s when water was discovered at an agricultural communal settlement called Kibbutz Na'an. Dancers showed their love for the land by leaping and raising their arms in the air as they sang, "Water, water, and happiness".

Israel has developed and modernized during its over 60 years of statehood, and so too have contemporary folk dances. Today's Israel is globalized and boasts hi-technology. As the population has changed and shifted with increasing immigration and also influence from the west, concerns over the fading of the tradition of folk dancing have risen. A non-profit organization, Reyim, was founded to preserve the old dances, but newer, more contemporary dances continuously arise.

Today's Israeli folk dances strive to balance the preservation of tradition, the reasons the dance was created, with the population's changing culture. Songs still emphasize a love for the land and the country's beauty, and they also sing of a love for all life, perhaps reflecting a shift from the Zionist ideal (whose emphasis was primarily on the land) to the reality of existence in a country devastated by ongoing wars.

Perhaps the biggest development in Israeli folk dancing are new dances created and choreographed to modern Israeli music, which blends western and Middle Eastern cultures. These newer dances are created to engage younger audiences and also to reflect the evolving society.

In Israel, dance events and classes typically feature the newer dances and can draw large crowds. Venues can range from municipal community centers to the promenade on the beach in Tel Aviv. Festivals are also popular in Israel and a common spot for Israeli folk dances. The Karmiel Festival is an example of one where folk and modern dance are performed with the beautiful mountains of northern Israel as a backdrop, paying homage to the original and ongoing purpose of the dance. Israeli folk dancing has also spread throughout the world with events and classes being held in the United States, Europe, South America, Canada, and Australia.

Today's Israeli folk dancing still creates community and bolsters a unique Israeli identity, with its own look, feel, sound, and rhythm drawing upon all its cultures of influence. Perhaps this is why it may even be here to stay.

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