A Mitsve to be Joyful – Hasidic Dance, Song, and Storytelling, with Bruce Bierman

Ecstatic dance, nigunim (wordless melodies, pronounced ni-GUN-im), and the love for storytelling are at the center of the unique expression of mystic Judaism known as Hasidism. In Hasidic dance, we dance within a circle of community, in partnership with a chaver (friend). and, finally, with just ourselves.  Symbolic hand gestures, meditative repetitive step patterns, and ways to access your own shayning (unique ‘shine’)  will be taught with great care and context. We will also learn and sing a few nigunim that typically accompany the dance. Finally, Bruce will share several Hasidic tales that speak of the wonders of dance and song. 

The Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760), founder of the Hasidic movement, was once asked, “Why is it that your Hasidim burst into song and dance at the slightest provocation? Is this really the behavior of sane individuals?”  Join our celebratory gathering of song and dance and come hear the story the Baal Shem Tov told in response to this question.  All are welcome. 

About Bruce Bierman »

REGISTRATION

To reserve a space, scroll down to BOOK EVENT, click on NEXT, and complete the registration form. Registration ends the day of the event at 7am Pacific Time (Check out this time zone converter) to receive sign-in info by 8:10am PT that day. If you have not heard by then, first check your junk/spam folder, then write workshops@klezcalifornia.org. Do not wait until just before the event begins to check whether you have sign-in info.

If you have not registered on time, write workshops@klezcalifornia.org; we cannot promise to notice your email if you contact us after the deadline.

Registering for this event includes giving KlezCalifornia permission to take still and video images and use them for educational or other organizational purposes. If you do not agree to such use, please turn off your camera when you join the event. To keep you informed of future events, we enroll registrants in our free monthly newsletter which includes klezmer and Yiddish culture events in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. You may unsubscribe at any time. KlezCalifornia does not share its lists with other organizations.

KlezCalifornia relies on donations from participants to cover the costs of online lectures, workshops, kumzitsn, play readings, and more. Donations of $18, $36, $108 (or whatever you can afford) are greatly appreciated to enable us to continue to connect you with Yiddish culture.

General information about KlezCalifornia workshops »