Now Watch Me…Dance!!

March 5, 2024
Emily Schenkel

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Class of 2024

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My chapter, Ohavim BBG, recently held an International Dancing Globalization program! Our 2 wonderful program leaders, Evie Salam and Sara Cohen planned the most killer globalization program we have held in years!! In the past, people haven’t always loved globalization programs, but this one definitely changed their reputation. We explored the different communities of BBYO around the globe and learned different cultures’ dances. The night started off with a cute icebreaker to find out where members most wanted to travel. People had differing answers from different countries and continents all scores the globe. Afterwards we watched a video on the top Jewish dances from around the world and how they relate back to the Jewish culture. The program leaders then introduced Israel and how dance in Israel has been used to express Zionism and to create choreography with the local Hebrew figure. We then learned 4 different Israeli dances. 

And dancing isn't the only thing important to Jewish Culture… pickles are too!! In the 1900s Jewish immigrants started New York’s first commercial pickle district! So we took a break and snacked on some yummy pickles!

Then we introduced Ireland!! We learned about Jews in Ireland and Dublin BBYO #5410. Afterwards we watched a video and followed along to learn some Irish-Jewish dancing! 

Now to Brazil! We discussed Jewish life in Brazil and about the Brazil BBYO chapter. Following that we watched a video and followed along to learn Brazilian- Jewish dancing! 

Once we finished the instructed dances, we blasted music and had a huge impromptu dance party. During this program the energy was high and there was so much going on. While we were actively learning about how wide BBYO is and how we are connected to people from all over the globe, it was a super fun and engaging experience through dance. 

Emily Schenkel is a BBG in Charlotte, North Carolina, who loves exploring her creativity through her face painting business, creative writing, and art.

All views expressed on content written for The Shofar represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual authors. The author biography represents the author at the time in which they were in BBYO.

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