HORA AFULA dance troupe performed with an inspiringly energetic Israeli folkdance for the Opening Ceremony of the JCC Maccabi Games in Springfield on August 18. The spectators were extremely enthusiastic in response to the experience of watching Hora Afula perform. The dance group performed in SNEC communities from August 16 through August 25, 2002. Jewish Communities who enjoyed their colorful and moving performances included Hartford, Camp Shalom, Westport, New London, and Woodbury. Hora Afula showed their talents to the JCC Maccabi participants again in the closing ceremony. This ceremony was held outdoors on the sprawling grass field of the JCC Springfield in the evening of August 22, 2002. Hora Afula's beautifully choreographed dances were like sunrays through the clouds of the continuous drizzle which fell throughout the performance. The audience watched the beautiful twirling teens, and under the direction of the director and her husband, Yaffa and Ishai Meir, danced and sang with the group. The dance troupe carried the crowd with their performance. The feedback from all the places in which they appeared was overwhelmingly positive. Hora Afula has shown once more the power and effectiveness of Israeli/Jewish Folk dance as a language of communication and a means of connecting.

The dance troupe was hosted at Camp Isner in the Berkshires.

Jonathan Nierman, Director of Youth and Informal Education of the Northeast Council of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, was in charge of hosting the Hora Afula teens at the camp. He wrote: " I just wanted to reiterate how wonderful it was to have the Hora Afula Dance Troupe with us at NFTY-Northeast's Summer Institute. While studying Israel was beneficial to our kids, providing them with the opportunity to make a real connection with Israeli teens made the event truly memorable. It was very clear to me that both groups benefited greatly from their time together, gaining a clearer understanding of each other's lifestyles and Jewish identities. Several of my kids mentioned to me that they could not wait for the opportunity to visit their new friends in Israel. As a Jewish educator, I simply could not ask for anything more! By the way, their performance and subsequent dance session with our group was incredible! We would welcome the opportunity to have them with us in the future. "

Hora Afula proved to be a dance group who brings joy and warmth to all who watch it. The charm of the individual members of the group enhanced our P2K people-to-people connections through their host families and all those who met them in the various communities.

  Tishrei 5763 - September 2002