2022 group of happy dancers.
RECAP of B'YACHAD PNW '22 annual Israeli dance weekend.
See photos at https://photos.app.goo.gl/oraKnUnjwRxTAwap9
A note from Debbi, director:
(2022) Dear fellow B’YACHAD dancers and families, and all B'YACHAD PNW session leaders,
We, your B'YACHAD '22 dance session leaders and teachers Rhona, Sue, Nancy, Shannon, Allen, Avi and Ohad are all thrilled that we had the opportunity to spend time with all of you, dance with you and eat great food with you. We hope you enjoyed the dance sessions and the teachings that we were able to provide for you.
We hope you’re all recovering from the great weekend we had. We are so lucky to have had the amazing Camp Solomon Schechter on such a beautiful weekend for our enjoyment.
Below are links to the dances and videos (they may arrive in more than 1 email) that were taught at B’YACHAD 2022. We look forward to seeing you again next year for more dancing, eating and schmoozing. Until then, keep on dancing!
With the warmest regards,
Sue, Rhona, Allen, Nancy, Avi, Shannon and Ohad
Dances Taught
Shma Ben Yakar - Nancy
Krav Shtiya - Allen
Yeled Aba Veima - Rhona
Debka Medabeket - Shannon
Ladmaot Shelach Yesh Peh - Avi
Debka Gid - Allen
Videos:
Shma Ben Yakar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-MZsSKA_qc
Yeled Abba Ve Ima:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehyBxPVp4kk
Debka Medabeket:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4xjer5dWrc
Krav Shtiya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2_R7sOpF6M
Lademaot Shelach Yesh Peh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdL-_4sRCJs
(2022) A Note from Sue Wendel, Portland, OR, long time dancer, current session leader, helping at this year’s B’YACHAD.
Dear 2022 B’YACHAD PNW dancers,
I wanted to share some reflections on one of the best weekends I’ve had in a long time, and to give a shout out to this year’s impromptu leaders as well. First off, thank you Debbi for EVERYTHING you do that makes B’YACHAD this treasured Israeli dance weekend happen at the beautiful Camp Solomon Schechter for over 20 years!
Because of Debbi and all the past dance leaders from Vancouver, Seattle and Portland – who created an extraordinary foundation – this year’s group of session leaders were able to quickly jump in and rise to the occasion, given that the only returning leader present this year was Avi Tayar who ran the couples session Saturday afternoon, and the overall assistance from Donna Cole afar.
A shout out to Allen King from Berkeley, avid vintage dancer and session leader; and Rhona Feldman, dancer and session leader from Portland, both of whom had registered for B’YACHAD, then were asked to step in and lead sessions only a few days ahead of time.
They ran every session except for the couples session run by Avi Saturday late afternoon (mentioned above) and the energetic session run by Ohad Atia on Saturday night which was planned last spring. The energy and passion of all of our leaders was reflected over and over again from Rhona and Allen Thursday afternoon and evening; Friday morning, afternoon and evening; Saturday morning and afternoon; to finally one last time Sunday morning. Whew!
And a shout out also goes to Nancy Fraser for running the Family/Easy dance sessions, who taught/reviewed at the sessions; and to Shannon Cahill-Weisser who taught/reviewed at the sessions as well. Shannon also led the Yoga session on Friday. What else can you do Shannon?
Of special mention and thanks is to Gary Fox and Rhona for Friday candel lighting; Allen and Michele Bat Or who ran the Shabbat Morning Minyan; Candi Swan who led singing before dinner on Saturday night; Sue who helped Debbi all weekend, and organized the Talent Share Saturday night right after dinner featuring: children (adult) dancers, solo child dancers Adva and Gali, and singer Leah; comedy by Robin, juggling by Kevin (who knew?!), ending with Michele’s fun and active Hebrew language learning activity. Finally, Cindy Merrill who helped at the Shabbat candle lighting and at the Havdalah later during a break at the Saturday night session.
I was so impressed with the way EVERYONE jumped in to help run the weekend. And if I left anyone out, please let me know. And of course thank you to ALL the dancers. B’YACHAD PNW is nothing without you!
With gratitude,
Sue
Hello Everyone,
Hope you made it home safe and sound. What a fabulous and meaningful time I (we all?) had at this year's B'YACHAD '22. Thank you for helping keep things safe and sound there! We so dearly missed our regular devoted B'YACHAD leaders Donna, Allison, Esti, Ellie, Dianne, and hope to see you next year!!
For now, two things I'd like:
--Please send any suggestions/comments about the dance wknd TO ME; constructive criticisms, anything I can improve upon and/or relay to our great leaders about this wknd, as suggestions for future B'YACHAD's there.
--and if you have any facility suggestions (like I do!) that the camp can do to make ADULT w/KIDS retreats better there , PLEASE SEND your ideas on to me OR to Jef Nobbe at jnobbe@campschechter.org. If sending directly to Jef, please refer as "re: B'YACHAD rental wknd" in the Subject line. THANK You!
Again, could not do this without each and everyone of you! Thank you again to our AMAZING Markidim this year, Sue, Rhona, Allen, Nancy, Shannon, Ohad and Avi for fabulous sessions and teachings! One of you, please forward the list of dances taught so we can review on our own too!
Love to you all, wallowing in the afterglow of another fabulous B'YACHAD PNW Dance wknd!
-Debbi
PS: I'll be sending one more note to you soon with the date for next year, when I speak with the camp director later this morning.