LUCKY STRIKF PP' 410- or, ■ Jewish Muscle Memory Local Israeli folk dancing sessions yield physical connection to heritage. Stacy Gittleman Contributing Writer I T hink of Israeli folk dancing, or IFD, as Jewish muscle memory. Dancers move with- in a circle or in a line to one of hun- dreds of choreographed songs as their feet, ears and minds connect with Israeli culture and history Three Israeli folk dance sessions in Metro Detroit and one in Ann Arbor are looking to welcome new dancers of all levels ready to try out a new way to socialize and get moving. IFD started during the earliest pio- neering days before the establishment of the modern State of Israel. The pioneers realized the modern state they were forming with Jews from all over the world would need some sort of unifying art form. This is why the dances are set to music with not only Middle Eastern sounds but also Greek, Eastern European and even Latino and now hip-hop influ- ences. "Israeli Folk Dancing connects me to my Jewish heritage like no other activity:' said Phil Litt of West Bloomfield, who leads a new, free beginner's group 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays at the Oak Park Jewish Community Center. The free session is followed by a more advanced dance pro- gram until 10 p.m. Additionally, there is a third session 7-9 p.m. on Wednesdays at the JCC in West Bloomfield. The cost of these non-beginner sessions is $6. For more information on these sessions, con- tact Litt at plitt18@hotmail.com or go to www.israelifolkdancedetroit.com . In 2008, a group of IFD enthusiasts started a dance session at the JCC in Ann Arbor. The group meets 7:30-10 p.m. on Thursdays. Laura Steiner, who runs the Ann Arbor session with her husband, Annon Steiner, said volunteers teach the group both the latest dances and the classics, and all levels are welcome. The group attracts local residents, University of Michigan students and faculty, and out-of -town visitors of all ages and dance abilities. The Steiners, who have been married for 25 years, met through Israeli dancing. Litt, a retired engineer, started danc- ing in 1968 as a student at Wayne State University. There he found an outlet for physical and social activity, and met his future wife, Cheryl. In his four decades of dancing, he has been a member of several amateur dance groups and caught up on the latest dances by attend- ing dance workshops throughout the United States and Canada. Litt, who "doesn't understand" why more Jews don't try out IFD, leads the newcomers at Temple Beth El with much patience and invites more experienced dancers to share their dancing know- how during each session. Litt believes IFD is a powerful Jewish educational tool because many dances revolve around biblical stories, the land of Israel and solidarity within the Jewish community. For children, danc- ing provides a fun, kinesthetic method for learning about their Jewish heritage and bolstering their Hebrew vocabulary skills. "Israeli folk dancing has been my pas- sion for most of my adult life," he said. "I want to promote it because it brings people of all ages and backgrounds together to share a love of Israeli music, dance and culture:' Karen Burstein, 55, of West Bloomfield, started dancing just five years ago. "Dance has always been part of my life' said Burstein, who has a ballet background. "After you understand [IFD] steps, it is easier than one might think, and for me it combined my passion for music and dance with my Judaism:' The new IFD group at Temple Beth El started in May, took a break over the summer and is ramping up again for the fall, attracting about 20 dancers per week. Once one attains a repertoire of the most well-known dances, an Israeli folk dancer can seek out sessions across the globe. IFD sessions take place around the country and even in far-flung places like Hong Kong or Cape Town. "No matter where I travel, when I find a group of Israeli dancers, it's like I've found my lost tribe' Litt said. aro' 4.1 - Phil Litt of West Bloomfield leads a beginner's Israeli folk dance session from 7-8 p.m. Tuesday nights at the Jewish Community Center in Oak Park. , 411 . CELEBRATE YOUR BAR/BAT MITZVAH WITH A STRIKE! STATE-OF-THE-ART LANES PRIVATE EVENT SPACES DJIMC + DANCING ARCADE GAMES X EXCEPTIONAL MENU & PARTY PACKAGES x PROFESSIONAL EVENT SPECIALISTS LUCKY STRIKE WILL DONATE 10% OF THE VENUE FEE TO THE SYNAGOGUE OF YOUR CHOICE AS A SPECIAL GIFT FOR YOUR BAR/BAT MITZVAH!* BOOK TODAY! 248.374.3420 NOVIPARTIES@BOWLLUCKYSTRIKE.COM — — FOUNTAIN WALK 44325 W. 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