Re: trends in Israeli folk dance

[Robert Cohen <rlcm17...>]

I wonder if the tendency, if that's what it is, to not hold hands in Israeli 
dances to some degree reflects the outsize cultivation of individualism (and 
entrepreneurialism/wealth/etc.) chronicled in the Business section of this 
past Sunday's times--noted as a sharp break w/ Israel's communal/socialist 
past (and no doubt celebrated by many, but not by me) -- rlc

>From: "Helen Winkler" <winklerh (at) hotmail(dot)com>
>Reply-To: jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org
>To: World music from a Jewish slant <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
>Subject: Re: Freilekhs or Bulgar?
>Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2000 17:18:33 MDT
>
>"Personally, I always felt that the tempo of most fast klezmer (bulgar,
>freylekhs, hongas etc) was too fast, and has been too fast in America, at
>least since the 20s. How could anyone, no matter what age, dance a sher to
>the speed of Abe Schwartz's Rusishe sher? I could envision building up
>tothat tempo, but to start off so fast, makes me wonder.- Itzik"
>
>I agree that a slower tempo is better in many situations.  If the dance is
>too fast, there's no time for interaction between participants.  I think 
>the
>interaction and the chemistry are what differentiate folk dances from
>aerobics routines.  These are social dances that serve a social purpose.
>
>In Israeli dance, due to the speeded up tempo and the addition of all sorts
>of turns and fancy moves, people no longer hold hands in the circle in some
>places.  Yet holding hands in a circle is what gives a sense of community
>and belonging for me.
>
>Helen
>
>
>
>
>
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