Jewish dance is dance associated with Jews and Judaism. 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 in religious observance. [1]

Iconic Jewish dances are rich and diverse with historical and traditional significance. Here are five Jewish dances worthy of learning.

From widely-recognized Jewish dances like the “Hora” and Isra... Humanity has expressed joy through dance for millennia, and the Jewish people are no exception.

Sometimes set in a concert setting and sometimes designed for the synagogue, new Jewish dance ensembles are synthesizing our long history of worship and expression with a renewed passion for dance.

With the rise of Hasidism in Eastern Europe in the 18th century, dance assumed great importance for the Jewish masses. Israel ben Eliezer Ba’al Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism, used dance to attain religious enthusiasm ( hitlahavut ) and devoted adherence to the Almighty ( devekut ).

For seven days of Sukkot, Jews walk around in circles, carrying an assortment of green and yellow flora. Then, on Simchat Torah, they dance in circles carrying Hebrew scrolls, working up to a frenzy.

Jewish dances come from all over the world and have many styles. They are used to celebrate special occasions, like weddings. They are also an important part of religious holidays.

Jewish dance has played a major role in American Jewish culture as well as the broader dance field. In its social and folk forms it has provided a primary means for American Jews to feel connected to the ancient roots of Jewish life, as well as to the state of Israel.

The Nazi regime destroyed all forms of dance by the mid-1930s: professional theater dance, dance in Yiddish theater, and dance in the folk and religious life of the Jewish communities of Europe. Stars such as Ruth Abrahamowitsch Sorel (trained by the German expressionist dancer Mary Wigman) performed at the Berlin State Opera house.

From the rhythmic hora to distinct hand gestures of Yiddish, Sephardic, Yemenite, and Adenite practices to the swiftly bouncing shoulders of eskesta and beyond, dance in community settings and on the concert stage shows the lived experiences of global Jewish communities.