The Fourth Conference for Dance Programs in Religious Public Schools
by Dr. Talya
Perlstein
Director of Dance and Movement Track in the College
On
Monday, the 3rd of Shvat, 5777 (January 30, 2017) the fourth conference for
dance programs in HEMED, the religious public school system, was held at the
Elkana Campus. The day was a product of the longstanding partnership between
the government’s Administration of Education for the Arts within religious schools
and the academic track for dance and movement at Orot Israel College.
Approximately
350 students from dance programs across the entire country participated in the
conference, hailing from the Golan, Jerusalem, Tiberias, Givat Washington, Gush
Etzion, and other areas. The day’s program was divided into two parts; in the
first part, eight lessons in assorted dance styles were simultaneously held at
the College, the Elkana Matnas (Community Center), and the Shaare Tikva Matnas.
In the second session, all the students and faculty convened in the College
auditorium. The speakers included Prof. Yuval Sinai, President of the College;
Dr. Nurit Ron, Director of the Division of Arts and Chief Supervisor of Dance
in the Ministry of Education; Dr. Talya Perlstein, Director of Dance and
Movement Track in Orot Israel College; Mrs. Revital Stern (Zivan), supervisor
for Communication and Art studies in the religious public schools; and Mrs.
Avital Horesh, national counselor for dance in the religious public schools. In
addition, during this segment, groups of students performed dances which they
had created in their respective programs, and they had the opportunity to watch
a performance by the Angela troupe.
In the
context of the conference, program coordinators and faculty from the ulpanot
(religious girls’ high schools) participated in a meeting with Dr. Nurit
Ron, Mrs. Revital Stern, and Dr. Talya Perlstein. Over the course of the
discussion, the coordinators and teachers expressed enthusiasm for the
organization and high-level content of the days’ programs, as well as the
importance of building a professional community within HEMED.
The
conference of school dance programs demonstrates part of HEMED’s educational
vision, which values the student’s self-expression by means of the arts as a
tool for growth and connecting to the sacred. It gives us great pride that the
graduates of the dance program at Orot Israel College stand at the forefront of
developing this field within HEMED, serving in a number of key capacities in
its implementation: national counsel and guidance for dance in religious
education; coordinating programs; and teaching dance in ulpanot and
elementary schools.
The
participants’ assessment of the conference’s contribution and significance
found its expression in the form of a number of letters of thanks. To cite one,
Revital Stern, supervisor for Communication and Art studies in the religious
schools, wrote, “… This cooperation is so critical for the strengthening and
development of the field of dance within religious education…. Since the track
of training teachers in movement and dance in Orot College is unique, it is
important for the graduates of dance programs in HEMED to see it as a hub for
their professional development, with respect to both the artistry of the field
and their training as teachers…. Thank you for all you have done for this
connection thus far, and for all that will still be done, b’ezrat Hashem.”
In the
words of Yael Duchnov, the coordinator of the Zvia school in Kochav Yaakov,
“Thank you for opening the doors for masses of girls, who are both dreaming and
fulfilling their dreams! There is no question that the successful establishment
of new programs which allow professional dance alongside the observance of the
values of Torah and Judaism begins with training appropriate teachers, teachers
who cultivated with a spirit that allows and strengthens this development.
Thank you for the journey that has been, that is, and that will continue….”
Tirtza
Ben-Yitzchak, the Principal of the ulpana Haleli in Givat Washington,
wrote, “Our students came back [from the conference] ‘in the lights (Orot)!’…
It was both meaningful and very productive.”
Heartfelt
thanks to the many participants whose pains assured the day’s success.
In the
photo from right to left: Shira Shimon, Hadassa Geat, Tzipi Nir, Tirtza
Ben-Yitzchak, Talia Sperling, Chana Shukrun, Sarah Orenstein, Rachel Baruch,
Elisheva Rosewag, Sharon Kelner, Esther Poltinsky Perianto, Talya Perlstein,
Nurit Ron, Shira Martin, Avital Horesh, Revital Stern (Zivan).
Below:
Beracha Miriam, Shira Deutsch, Moriah Horowitz, Emunah Cohen, Chani Belsberg,
Yael Duchnov.
