ISRAELI FOLK DANCE COURSES
Safeguarding the living traditions of Israel's diverse communities through movement, music, and story. Israel is a country that contains a mixture of different cultures. Every group has its dances that have been handed down across generations. They are much more than dances; they are the living records of history, migration, religion, and identity. Many of these dances are endangered by the passing away of older generations. This course has been designed in order to prevent such an event from happening. Our objective is to train the next generation of folk dance teachers to carry these traditions forward, accurately, respectfully, and with deep cultural understanding.
About ICH-Israel
ICH-Israel is committed to the protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Israel, based on the principles outlined in the UNESCO 2003 Convention, which include oral traditions, performance arts, social customs, rituals, and traditional craftsmanship. Folk dance courses form the very core of this mission because it is a living tangible heritage that can be experienced through one’s physicality. This course is one of our leading projects and involves working with masters of folk dance traditions who educate new teachers.
What Makes Our Courses and Workshops Unique
This program is built around direct transmission from community experts and master dancers, including:
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Israeli folk dance experts: folk dances of diverse origins, biblical dances, children's dances, partner dances, circle dances, and dances choreographed for festivals.
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Yemenite dance experts: these dances were historically performed at weddings and religious celebrations and have since become a foundational pillar of Israeli folk dance.
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Kurdish dance experts: powerful dances reflecting Kurdish-Jewish heritage
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Circassian dance experts: dance tradition preserved by Israel's Circassian community
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Arabic dance experts: Dabke and other traditions shared across Israel's Arab, Bedouin, and Druze communities
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Original Hassidic dances: a unique form of spiritual expression within Orthodox Judaism.
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And additional communities
Each tradition will be taught by those who really live it, not just those who have studied it.
Course Structure
Format:
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Course in person in Jerusalem with Israeli Ministry of Education certification (200 hours + self-practical experience)
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Hybrid course (In-person 50 hours/ online 150 hours + 40 hours of self-practical experience) with CID certification
Content :
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Cultural & Historical Foundation: the story behind each dance tradition
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Technique Workshops: led by community dancers and choreographers
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Teaching Methodology: how to instruct diverse age groups and skill levels
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Music & Rhythm: understanding the instrumentation and songs behind the movement
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Practicum: supervised teaching sessions and community engagement
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Certification Project: documenting and presenting a tradition of the student's choice
Who Should Join
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Dancers looking to specialize in Israeli folk heritage
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Community and youth movement leaders
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Cultural educators and program coordinators
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Anyone passionate about preserving intangible heritage through the body and community
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School teachers
No single-tradition background required; diversity of participants strengthens the transmission of knowledge.
What Graduates Will Be Able to Do
✔ Teach authentic dances from multiple Israeli cultural communities ✔ Explain the cultural, historical, and social context behind each tradition ✔ Design age-appropriate and community-appropriate lesson plans ✔ Serve as ambassadors of intangible cultural heritage preservation ✔ Receive an ICH-Israel Certified Folk Dance Teacher credential
Why This Matters Now
Every dance not taught is a dance at risk of disappearing. By training teachers today, we ensure that:
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Children continue learning the dances their grandparents danced
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Minority and immigrant communities see their heritage valued and shared
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Israel's cultural mosaic remains vibrant, visible, and alive on stages, in schools, and at celebrations