Naomi Taussig has been a dancer for more than 30 years. She tried Israeli dance for the first time when she was 20 years old, and is now an instructor with a class offered at Har El Synagogue in West Vancouver. She recently answered questions from the North Shore News about this unique form of dance.
Tell us a bit about your background in Israeli dance.
I lived in Israel for my Grade 10 year of high school, participating in a program for 26 students from North America.
Israeli dancing was part of our PE program at school. I returned to Israel after graduating high school back in Vancouver, and eventually completed my BA at Haifa University. I attended a few Israeli dance sessions while I was there, but didn't really get into it until I was back in Vancouver again, working in an office out of the Jewish Community Centre, where I observed the recreational Israeli dance group (who still dances there today).
I so wanted to be a part of it. I eventually ended up teaching there as well, and still do now (I am the beginners instructor) as one of the instructors for the Vancouver Israeli Dance Society who hosts the dancing at the JCC in Vancouver.
How would you describe Israeli dance?
Fun, friendly, a great workout, wonderful music and energy.
How would you describe the movement?
We pull from every dance style out there. There are movements from all the peoples that populate Israel: European, Latin, Arab, Yemeni.
You can dance upbeat or gently, high impact or low impact, there are no rules about it other than you need to have an open mind and a willing spirit.
Is it a traditional type of dance or is it more modern?
It started out cultural (folk), but continues to be a huge draw among many in Israeli society today.
Every hit off the radio, contemporary musical artists, and young, dynamic dance choreographers are constantly pumping out new material. I try to keep up (with the new material) but I'm a fan of the oldies, too.
What type of music do you use for this type of dance?
I have it all. Whatever is being choreographed ends up coming to North America. We are dancing what Israeli dancers are dancing all over the world.
Is it difficult to learn?
I truly consider myself a specialist in teaching beginners, including people who believe, as I once did, that they have two left feet or are unco-ordinated. I can teach anyone who is willing to try, but the people who struggle the most are perfectionists. Dancing takes time. It starts out very basic.
I highly recommend coming to the beginners class and then attending consistently for several weeks until the basic steps are learned. From there, it gets more and more complicated until you build a repertoire and learn some advanced dances, but truly the secret is all in knowing those basic steps.
Is it similar to any other type of dancing?
There are similarities to all kinds of other dancing since we borrow from any and all dance styles and cultures out there. I see it as a basis for any other dance style you might want to learn. Start with Israeli and take it anywhere.
Are there traditional outfits or costumes worn with Israeli dance?
We don't wear traditional performance-type costumes.
The best clothing is what you might wear to an aerobic class or general comfy clothes. Layers are good because you will warm up as you dance. The best footwear is running shoes, jazz shoes, or soft-soled shoes with no or very little heel.
What do you like about Israeli dance?
I like the music, the energy, the freedom of moving to music, the activity shared with like-minded people who are open to trying and moving and keeping their minds and bodies engaged in constant learning and activity.
It's exercise that doesn't feel like exercise!
Is Israeli dance suited to a certain type of person or age group or can anyone do it?
Anyone can do it but young kids learn best with other young kids so the learning can be geared to them. There are more kid classes in Vancouver. I've had a few teens in my class but mostly people in their 20s through 70s.
There is some turning involved, so people who don't like turning might struggle.
Do the students do any performances?
No, the students don't do an performances, the class is purely recreational.
Israeli dance is offered as a drop-in course on an ongoing basis throughout the year at Har El Synagogue in West Vancouver. The course is $6 per visit ($5 for members of Congregation Har El). For more information about class times and availability, contact Naomi Taussig at [email protected].
