Monday, May 11, 2020

Reflections on Israeli Dance: Choreographer Rivka Sturman

If you have ever gone to a Bar/Bat Mitzvah or a Jewish wedding or a Jewish camp, you have probably done the classic Israeli folk dance Zemer Atik. Also known as Nigun Atik, the title means “ancient song.” It’s easy, fun, and has great music. 

Zener Atik was choreographed in 1955 by Israeli folk dance icon Rivka Sturman. Sturman was an early pioneer of Israeli folk dancing, an invented tradition originating in the 1940s as part of a deliberate and focused campaign to create a cultural tradition for the newly created state. These dances were intended to unify Israel as well as facilitate a sense of national identity. Her dances include Dodi LiHarmonicaHashualHora ChassiditHineh Ma Tov, and Kuma Echa.

Here are video links for her ever-popular Zemer Atik and Mayim so you can watch – and hopefully dance along! 

Zemer Atik:

Mayim:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsY3WWlK46A

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