Jan. 2026 - Hello PIFD News readers! Just a shout out to y'all from sunny (mostly but lots of rain this season too) California, and then later on from our new digs in Denver), that I'll be sending out news about B'YACHAD'26 (August 27-30, 2026) soon! Stay tuned and happy dancing!, with hugs from Debbi, B'YACHAD administrator, debbirm@aol.com
For questions or to be added to the B'YACHAD '26 email list, email Debbi at debbirm@aol.com
The fabulous group of 2025 - who do you recognize??
2025 was another great year for B'YACHAD PNW. The camaraderie and joy of dance was everywhere to be found. For the first time, we invited new dancers with some experience to join the seasoned dancers, with a few special sessions for the "advanced beginners." We hope to continue this in 2026.
The food was delicious, the campground and lake were beautiful, the Shabbat services meaningful, talent show was a hoot, and the PNW dance leaders brought their passion and talent to share with all. Looking forward to 2026!
Please email Debbi, administrator (debbirm@aol.com) if you wish to receive correspondences and updates,
or to ask Debbi any questions about B'YACHAD.
What is B'YACHAD? B'yachad means together.
B'YACHAD PNW, now in it's 24th year, is the annual Israeli folk dance weekend for held in Olympia, WA. It's not a "workshop", think of it as a dance retreat with great food, schmoozing, in a beautiful setting with camp amenities. Seasoned dancers and dancers with prior experience, and now advanced beginners from our groups in Portland and beyond), and non-dancer family members too, enjoy dance sessions led by local PNW leaders, scrumptious kosher meals and snacks, schmoozing, outdoor activities, boating and swimming in the lake, Shabbat events, and much much more. We plan to have special sessions for our new beginner dancers who have some experience! And as usual lots of dancing and for our seasoned dancers led by local leaders just like home. We also take requests for playing our favorite dances old and new.
What is B'YACHAD? more...
This year is the 24th annual B'YACHAD. It is an open dance weekend (with plenty of other activities), for the joy of dancing, with some teaching, just like at home! Traditionally, the dance level has been for intermediate to advanced (seasoned) dancers and non-dancer family members. New in 2025, we had invited newer-to-dance folks from our sessions at home to enjoy this experience as well, with special programming for this level that we were so excited to include!! Due to its success, we will include this feature in 2026 as well.
Families and non-dancers welcome, with special pricing for non-dancing family/children/friends (children to be supervised by parents at all times).
The typical schedule (subject to change as we begin planning for 2026)
- Friday and Saturday dancing for all levels throughout the day and evening, Friday Shabbat service.
- Shabbat morning service, and evening Havdalah, Sunday morning Farewell Session for all.
- Summer Camp Style accommodations (bring our own bedding/pillows/towels). New this year special hotel block of rooms. More on that soon.
- All meals served Kosher family/buffet style, all snacks provided, kosher kitchen caters to special food needs too.
- Private lake with canoes, water bikes, row boats, hiking and river walk, Yoga, sing-a-long during Shabbat menucha time, with a talent show after dinner, before Sat. night dance session.
- Thoughout the time, spontaneous gatherings to enjoy friends and the beautiful and idyllic setting.
Thank you so much!
Debbi Montrose
B'YACHAD'25 administrator
debbirm@aol.com or 503-544-2641
In the meantime, enjoy the pictures and memories below from past dance retreat weekends.
B’YACHAD PNW ’24 SEPT. was Fri. 6 - Sun. 8, 2024 and was a huge success!
RECAP Hi B'YACHAD'24 dancers, leaders, family, friends, the whole kit and kaboodle including the facility folks there who helped us so much, as well as (again) ALL of the dance leaders, admin help to me, etc etc!,
Hoping this finds you safe and sound wherever your travels have taken you after our amazing wknd.
Below is a google drive of the dances we learned there that Ohad has put together for us, THANK YOU SO MUCH AND FOR ALL OF THOSE GREAT DANCES TAUGHT!
To all of You who come together (b'yachad) to make this kind a "one of a kind in the world", (as Shmulik described after last year's), - if you'd like to DO IT AGAIN: we've been offered Fri, SEPT 5-7, 2025 (Labor Day is Mon, Sept 1). Will keep you posted on that once I send out a true survey early next year.
-Debbi
Be'Yahad 2024 Music - Google Drive
Questions? Email Debbi Montrose at debbirm@aol.com
B'YACHAD '23
See 2023 photos here https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMRHzEY9ceGNcOIN1n1qpj_sqVOKtDQiyYUn_nxCVXFec8IkorRUCTUl_QCYXHvBA?key=TnNGM05UemFtTVJmWGFDN1A5a2I5bkZ4LXZaMWJB
2023 group of happy dancers.
RECAP From Debbi: Hello B’YACHAD PNW ’23
See 2023 photos here https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMRHzEY9ceGNcOIN1n1qpj_sqVOKtDQiyYUn_nxCVXFec8IkorRUCTUl_QCYXHvBA?key=TnNGM05UemFtTVJmWGFDN1A5a2I5bkZ4LXZaMWJB
Hello B'YACHAD '23 session leaders Donna, Ohad, Shmulik, Avi, Esti, Rhona, Nancy, Cindy D., and "behind the scenes always there to help Warren, Ohad, Sue, Ruti,
There are no words to convey the level of gratitude I feel for each of you,
for your help at the sessions and all else to help make things run so smoothly there at B'YACHAD'23.
Shmulik and Niva for your raising our awareness in dance movement, purpose and celebration on and off our dance floor there, and for our new friendships with you too! Again, your breadth and depth of historic knowledge in contribution to Israeli Folk Dance in general are so meaningful to us, and having you there with us was just so amazingly enlightening for us all!
For our dear local B'YACHAD PNW dance leaders, how can I thank you enough for all your years of support and willingness to "do it again and again" at this rustic gem of a location for our local dancers. I'll be in touch with you soon after "squaring away to close out this year" finally with the facility staff later next week.
Again, all my love and appreciation to you all, and Shabbat Shalom,
-Debbi
Once again, reveling in the afterglow of a wonderful and memorable wknd together with all of you at B'YACHAD '23, and hoping all of you made it home safe and sound.
No words can convey my gratitude for the assistance, moral support, and for all of the dance-schmooze-eating-sleeping? camaraderie I felt there.
Among all of the gratitude and thanks we have shared, I wanted to especially name our gracious donors to the "dancer in need fund", and when you read this, please stand up (even though at home now) to receive our deepest thank you - we had 3 dancers who otherwise would have not been able to come BECAUSE OF YOU. Thank you to Cindy M., Shannon, Sharon K., Richard, and Linda S. for all of your generosity to the fund.
And lastly but certainly not leastly: Oy Shmulik and Niva! Your courage to join us out here in the "wild west", contributing to our celebration of Israel at 75 and for helping us to celebrate all of Israeli Folk Dancing to date, to imbue us with your immense talent, wisdom, knowledge and desire for us to learn from you is beyond our dreams. I think ALL OF US have grown from your presence, companionship and your dance abilities. We hope you both have also considered this a nice vacation for you too!
Shmulik is just now saying to you, "I haven't for a long time felt so relaxed at a camp and seeing everybody having a good time always with no pressure. I already miss you and hope to see you soon at one of the camps [I am invited to teach at]. And me and my wife would like to thank everyone for such a warm welcoming!"
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.
-Debbi, administrator, debbirm@aol.com
B'YACHAD PNW '20 Memories
In this virtual world we're living (and dancing) in these days, I want to send a virtual hug with deepest gratitude to you all for registering and appearing, dancing, leading us and schmoozing together at B'YACHAD '20 last night, Sun. Aug. 30th.
From near and far I felt close by to all of you, dancing away in the little areas we all created in our homes. Funny that B'YACHAD '20 felt so close to me this year maybe because of how strongly I am yearning to dance together again.
I hope you all had a load of fun and exercise, and as I say every year at B'YACHAD, "couldn't have done it without you!"
Here's to our continued health and vigilence against this tiny virus, so that sooner rather than later we'll be dancing together in person again (without masks!).
Thank you again to all of you, and again and again to Ohad, Allison, Tal and Yael, Esti, Donna Dianne, Nona, Ellie for bringing us and all of our dance floors together with them.
Looking forward to next year's B'YACHAD '21,
-Debbi
___________________________________________________
B'YACHAD PNW '19 another great weekend!
See photos on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pg/Israeli-Folk-Dancing-in-Portland-OR-384857678264291/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2512144805535557
An amazing weekend!
B’YACHAD Northwest ’19!!
was Friday, August 23-Sunday, Aug 25, 2019
I S RA E L I DA N C E W E E K E N D
At The Stampfer Center / Camp Solomon Schechter,
Olympia, Washington
Hi Everyone...
B'YACHAD Northwest 2019 took place over the Aug 23rd - 25th weekend, at the beautiful Solomon Shechter retreat in Tumwater Washington.
This is an annual event directed by Debbi Montrose.
All sessions and teaching are run by local teachers primarily from Portland and Seattle and when they can be there, Vancouver.
It’s a fun and relaxed weekend with good friends, good food and of course alot of dancing!!
Thanks to Debbi, her staff and to all of the teachers and session leaders for another successful B’YACHAD Northwest!
Below, is the list of dances taught over the weekend.
Ha Yechida Yuval Tabashi: Taught By Donna Cole
Bechaiyai Michael Barzilai: Taught by Ellie Morhaime
Hakol Od Efshari Ilai Szpiezak: Taught by Diane Casper
Boker Tov Oren Ashkenazi: Taught by Allison Victor
Isha Sheli (p) Yaron Carmel: Taught by Esti Levine
Lisloach ve Lishkoach (p) Nona Malki: Taught by Nona Malki
Machmal Nafshi (p) Shlomo Maman: Taught by Avi Tayar
Nona
Vancouver BC
See photos on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pg/Israeli-Folk-Dancing-in-Portland-OR-384857678264291/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2512144805535557
B'YACHAD PNW '18
B'YACHAD PNW '17 Recap
By Debbi Montrose
The Stampfer Center/home of Camp Solomon Schechter is such a beautiful and idyllic setting for us to dance and schmooze together at B'YACHAD every year; and for sure this could not happen without THOSE OF US THERE (you've heard me say over and over each year!).
Having the dance floor so full and running so smoothly has been our "constant" each year; and for sure this also can't be done without our amazing dance leaders too! Thanks again to you all for your camaraderie and devotion to what makes this weekend so wonderful.
If you go to the website: portlandisraelidance.com, you'll see a tab for B'YACHAD '17. There you will find a list of the dances with videos we learned at B'YACHAD this year. Thank you Deborah and Donna for putting this together. You can also see PIFD News (sites.google.com/site/pifdnews) for links to B’YACHAD and more. And see the photo album at our Facebook site: Israeli Folk Dancing in Portland, OR.
Once again, our amazing PNW session leaders pulled it together for us and helped make dancing so fun and cohesive. I think I danced almost every dance I know and more! Our energy on that floor sure could fill this world with love like from nowhere else!
Be well everyone, SHANA TOVA to you, and see you on and off the dance floor soon I hope!
-Debbi
PS I think the music CD this year is FANTASTIC (as it is every year). Thank you to Ellie and Dianne for putting it together! Check with me if you'd like to purchase more at debbirm@aol.com and I'll have Dianne make more.
See photos on Facebook at: B"YACHAD 2017 See dances at portlandisraelidance.com
B'YACHAD PNW '16. Another great year!
B'YACHAD 2016 held August 26th-28th / Camp Solomon Schechter (Olympia WA)
Beautiful venue, old friends & new, perfect weather! Pictures: https://www.facebook.com/Israeli-Folk-Dancing-in-Portland-OR-384857678264291/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1116325201784198
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201645079165927&set=pcb.10201645080285955&type=3&theater
Dances taught:
Ma Hen Ha'Milim / Avi Levy
Kol Yom (Ani Kan Bishvilech) / Elad Shtamer
Inshalla - Michael Barzelai
Toda La'Olam - Oren Ashkenazi
Ad Eliach P - Avi levy
Ze Lo At P - Avi Levy
2016 dance staff:
Portland: Donna Cole, Allison Victor & Avi Tayar
Seattle: Dianne Casper, Ellie Morhaime & Esti Livni
L.A.: William Harvey
Special thank you's..
Idan Porat- Sound engineer extraordinaire!
Rachel Stern - Extremely popular Yoga Hour by the lake
Cindy Droker - Children's session
Esther Oulman Carver - for overseeing just about everything with a smile
& many thanks to....
Candy Swan
Moshe & Becca Patton . . . did I forget anyone?
All of the amazing dancers this year & 3:20 am dance floor survivors!
Debbi Montrose/ Camp director - thank you, thank you for all that you do & making this all possible for us!
Ellie Morhaime
2015/2016 Dance Program Director
See more photos at:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=663246623828767&id=231987470288020
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B'YACHAD PNW 2015 - Another great year!!
Photo by Candi Swan.
See lots of photos at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.894107620672625.1073741849.384857678264291&type=3¬if_t=like
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From PortlandIsraelidance.com
B’YACHAD NW 2015 is over for this year. We hope you can join us next year.
B’YACHAD 2015 was great fun, despite a rather wet beginning. We had the larger wooden floor again. Dancers came from all over the Northwest (Oregon, Washington and British Columbia), California, Nevada and Georgia. Quite a few people brought their families so that they too could enjoy the camp environment. All the dances were taught by local session leaders; Donna Cole, Avi Tayar, Allison Victor (Portland, OR), Esti Livne, Ellie Morhaime, Dianne Casper, Gail Levy (Seattle, WA), and William Harvey (now in southern California, but raised in Portland). Nona Malki (Vancouver, BC) was present, but sadly, could not dance or teach, due to an injury. Still she helped inestimably with making the program entertaining.
The dance party on Friday night was amazing! There was so much energy and so many wonderful dances. Everyone had a fabulous time. Thank you, Esti and Donna and Ellie, for such a great evening. Saturday night was more laid back, with plenty of dances from the nostalgia category. Thank you Diane and Allison. And thanks also to all the teachers, for introducing us to some lovely new dances.
The food this year was considerably better than last, with plentiful, healthy snacks available throughout the dance sessions. Great leisure time activities were enjoyed by dancers and non-dancers alike. once the skies cleared.
To see all the photos Candi took please go to Facebook "Israeli Folk Dancing in Portland, OR"
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Israeli-Folk-Dancing-in-Portland-OR/384857678264291?sk=photos_stream
By Nona Malki, 2014
B'Yachad Northwest, 2014 Israeli Dance Weekend was held this past weekend at Camp Solomon Schechter retreat, near Olympia, Washington.
Dancers and families spent a wonderful weekend together at this amazingly beautifully serene and spiritual venue. Old friends & new met to spend a perfect weekend together with perfect weather & plenty of dancing!
This camp is directed by Debbi Montrose and thanks to her hard work and lovely vision, B’Yachad was again great and successful!
Our 2014 dance staff (teachers/ markidim)
Portland: Donna Cole & Avi Tayar
Seattle: Dianne Casper, Ellie Morhaime, Esti Livni & Gail Levy
Vancouver: Nona Malki
LA: William Harvey
New Jersey: Special Guest: Mitch Ginsburgh
Dances taught:
Matanot Ktanot: Gadi Bitton
Achshav Karov (p) : Gadi Bitton
Halev: Gadi Bitton
Romeio (p): Nona Malki
Vilner Gaon: Mitch Ginsburgh
Rak Kan: Oren Ashkenazi
LeYeled Haze Hitpalalti: Oren Ashkenazi
Special appreciation goes out to...
Rachel Stern- ever popular Yoga class by the lake
Cindy Droker- Children’s dance session
See photos on Facebook "Israeli Folk Dancing in Portland, OR"
____________________
Dancers at the B'YACHAD Northwest '13, gather for a group photo.
See pictures of B'YACHAD Northwest 2013 on Facebook.
Facebook: Israeli Folk Dancing in Portland, OR. Click on Photos and also Albums.
From Debbi:
B'YACHAD Northwest 2013, Pacific Northwest's Israeli Dance Retreat for Intermediate/Advanced Dancers, just completed its 13th retreat August 16-18, at The Stampfer Center/Camp Solomon Schechter in Tumwater/Olympia, Washington.
The facility is a little piece of heaven on earth, and to the 65+ dancers/session leaders/family and friends who attended: you too helped make it the "best on earth" to me!
Thank you to Ellie, Dianne, Donna, Avi, Esti, Allison, William and Cindy D., all who helped to run and teach at sessions throughout the weekend, and of course Rachel with 30 yogi's this year, and to Dorice for helping to bring the "Bar Mitzvah" feeling to us this year!
Thank you's also go to Frank, Zach and the camp staff for readying the camp and feeding us all weekend, and again to all us dancers for bringing the best of camaraderie and dance to this incredible location. Happy dancing, and a wonderful New Year to you all!
From Ellie:
Beautiful venue, old friends & new, perfect weather lots of dancers & plenty of dancing!
Debbi Montrose – our camp director, thank you for the hard work and another great year! Our 2013 dance staff (teachers/ markidim) Portland: Donna Cole, Allison Victor & Avi Tayar; Seattle: Dianne Casper, Ellie Morhaime & Esti Livni; and L.A: William Harvey.
Special appreciation goes out to all the many hands & heads that went in to all the elements (sorry if I left anyone out): Warren Cole – videos, Vicki Wasserman – table decoration, Rachel Stern – ever popular Yoga class by the lake, Dorice Horenstein – for a beautiful Havdala and all the passion, and Cindy Droker – children’s dance session & performance.
Dances taught this year included: Birkat Ha'Kohanim – Shmulik Gov Ari, Mariposa – Gadi Bitton, Eifo At Hayom – Moshe Twille /G. Bitton, Kul shi Kalam – Gadi Bitton, Yafa Kmo Tamid – (P) Dudu Barzilai, Ba'layla – Gadi Bitton, and At Malach (P) – Avner Naim.
From Allison:
Israeli dance weekend! B'Yachad at beautiful camp setting! Canoeing in water lily accented lake and fabulous dancing! Our 13th year!
B’YACHAD Northwest 2012 and other past years . . .
See Facebook page for tons of pictures! Israeli Folk Dancing in Portland, OR.
