By Chelsea Roseman
The series of lessons, which began in July, are taught by Beny Levy, a native of Israel and avid dancer. The weekly Thursday classes are part of a Chavura, or a company of family friends and neighbors, and is partially subsidized by the Commission on Jewish Identity and Renewal.
Originally, there was a trial period of a month. Since there was a great response, the classes will continue to run each week. "We've gotten good reactions so far. It will be fun," said class leader Levy. While the class caters to a middle-aged crowd, according to the class coordinator, Reena Keren, the class is open for the whole community, both to Jews and non-Jews, and to adults and children alike.
Levy's style and interest, stemming from his Israeli roots, melds well with the interests of his students. He says that Israeli Folk Dance is widely done in Israel. At age 13 he joined the circle in the Israel Youth Movement, which he explains to be a group similar to the Boy Scouts. Beny has been teaching this type of dance since he was 15 and is now known worldwide as a dance choreographer.
Israeli Folk Dance, like most other types of dance, consists of a series of movements and dance patterns organized to fit with a specific song or rhythm. With Levy being a native while the majority of his students are not, he likes to add a little extra Israeli flavor by teaching them the steps with their Israeli names, like the "Mayim" for instance, the connection between the students and Israeli Folk Dancing becomes stronger.
The steps in the "Mayim" are among the basics and he and his students use and vary throughout dances, especially to move around in a circle configuration and in different line formations in chains solidified by the class holding each other's hands.
The Israeli Folk Dance students are very pleased with the class. The majority of the students have never taken Israeli Folk Dancing class before, which makes the class challenging, but also fun. "I'm very excited about the class. I love Beny," said Toni Soren.
One might wonder where the enthusiasm for such a class on Thursday evenings comes from. A class member who has previously studied Israeli Dance says, "I think it has a lot to do with personality." She says that the instructor's enthusiasm is exciting. "It becomes infectious," she says, which makes Beny blush.
Levy responds, "It's rewarding to see people get into it. That is what fuels my enthusiasm."
It may seem difficult to get into a new style of dancing at first, but Beny's gentle smile and words are encouraging. He admits that one must adjust one's mind and control one's movements, and that it surely does take time to coordinate and memorize steps. But, his ultimately philosophy on dance is simple: "If you can walk, you can certainly follow dance."
For more information on the program, call the Jewish Community Center of West Hempstead at 481-7448. Adults, $8; Children $4. Classes are held on Thursdays at 8:15 p.m. and 8 p.m. for beginners.
