Dance Ministry
Dance at Kehilat Sar Shalom
At Kehilat Sar Shalom, we do two kinds of dancing: Messianic worship dance and Israeli folk dance. Through worship dance, we express our joy and gratitude toward God. Through Israeli folk dance, we experience an exciting part of Jewish culture worldwide. These two types of dance are often very different in style and appearance, but both can be used for God’s glory.
Worship dances are typically slower and easier to execute than Israeli folk dances, allowing dancers to focus less on the dance itself and more on the source of our joy. Worship dance has more arm movements, as well, enabling dancers to use their whole body in worshiping God.
Israeli dance is typically faster and more challenging than Messianic worship dance. It is comprised of fewer arm movements, and is mostly footwork. It is typically very upbeat, aerobic, and invigorating! Israeli dance is a very popular communal activity among Jewish people (and gentiles!) worldwide.
Dance Opportunities
We are always welcome to have new dancers, even (especially!) those who have never danced before!
There are several ways you can participate in the dance ministry on a regular basis:
- On Thursday nights. Every Thursday night, Kehilat Sar Shalom hosts a dance practice in the sanctuary from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. If you are serious about learning how to dance, then this is the place to be! People who come to Thursday night dance practice and participate on a regular basis tend to learn much more quickly than those who only dance on Saturdays. However, please note that we do not always have beginner instruction when we are preparing for special events, such as High Holy Days or Passover. Also, please note that we will occasionally cancel a Thursday night dance practice for various reasons. If you are not on the dance ministry email list and phone number list, please check ahead with the dance ministry leaders (Dan and Kristin Kolansky) before coming, to make sure we are indeed having dance practice that evening.
- During our Shabbat worship service. The dances during our worship service are usually simpler than many of our other dances. (The slower songs toward the end of our worship time tend to be the easiest to dance to, but you are welcome to dance to any song.) Dancing during the worship service on a regular basis will help you start learning the dance steps. This is a time to worship God as a community! Join in, even if you have never danced before!
- Before our Shabbat worship service. Every single Shabbat, we have a practice in the sanctuary at 9:30 am, during which we briefly practice the dances that we will be dancing during the worship service that day. This practice is brief (about one half hour) and covers all the worship songs for that Shabbat. Dances are not actually taught in detail at this practice, so this practice is not recommended for dancers who have not yet learned the basic steps. For more detailed beginner instruction, please come to our Thursday night practice.
- After our Shabbat worship service. We dance in the sanctuary every other week or so, beginning about one half hour after the end of the worship service. Anyone is welcome to dance with us. Feel free to ask one of the other dancers if you need help or have any questions.
- Individual instruction for beginner dancers. Please see Dan or Kristin Kolansky if you would like to take time on a Shabbat to learn the basic dance steps.
- The Jewish holidays. The Kehilat Sar Shalom dance ministry prepares special dances for the major Jewish holidays. These dances are taught at our Thursday night dance practices. If you may be interested in dancing one or more of these special dances at Kehilat Sar Shalom for a Jewish holiday, please see Dan or Kristin Kolansky.
If you are not involved in the dance ministry, but would like to be, please e-mail Dan or Kristin Kolansky for more details, or to answer any questions you may have. We are always in need of more dancers!
