12—THE BULLETIN—Friday, September 14, 1973 JEWISH HOUR Sunday, 6 p.m. to 7 p. with AGNES FESSLER 4;. OR CHADASH PERFORM THROUGHOUT PROVINCE BY EDNA OBERMAN Centre Program Worker "DEAR DANCERS: I liked the way you danced and the way you yipped and ya (sic). I liked to yell and clap along with you. It was fun to see you flip the girls. I like the way you use your feet; you can really move them fast. You felt very happy — I could see it. . ." A Vancouver schoolchild writes to the Or Chadash International Folk Dancers, typifying the warm response the troupe received during a successful summer of performing and teaching throughout the province under an Opportunities for Youth grant. The troupe, sponsored by the Jewish Community Centre and directed by Karen Uretsky-Hering specializes in Israeli dance, but this summer included more international folk-dance in its repertoire. Explaining its uniqueness, Karen says, "There are other folk-dance ensembles, but they cater mainly to their own communities. Or Chadash gets five or six times the exposure of the others. We reach out to the general public. Also, we have a more professional, educational approach. We research and analyze the dance forms so that they can be passed along to others." Or Chadash's summer activities, then, were varied. In June and July the troupe worked on performing, rehears- ing as much as four or five hours a day. The Jewish Centre was transformed by the sounds of infectious Israeli or Eastern European music, and the presence of athletic-looking leotarded figures intent upon foot-stomping dances or perhaps Yoga exer- cises. Dance suites were choreographed, costumes were made by the dancers themselves, and dance teaching skills were practiced. Finally the group was ready to go. They were committed to 60 GET READY FOR THE HIGH HOLIDAYS TKE FRESHEST FISH PRODUCTS THAT THE OCEAN CAN SUPPLY COMPARE OUR PRICES BEST QUALITY 2328 Wesf 4th Avenue Phone 732-8608 Jim FISH MARKET GEFILTE FISH OUR SPECIALTY RETAIL & John Heras ISRAELI DANCES comprise the largest part of Or Chadash's varied repertoire. From left to right are: Martha Ross, Trudy Uretsky, Laurie Nemetz, Howard Harowitz, Joel Kositsky, Jim Bryan. Everything that makes Volvo the greatest car in the world. PLUS Adjustable leather seats, tachometer. Computer controlled fuel injection engine, BUT ONLY a few left in the world, VOIiVO BEN JACOBSEN MOTORS 369 NO. 3 ROAD RICHMOND B.C. 278-6291 278-2 167 performances in 12 weeks but received more requests than they could fill. The troupe toured from the Okanagan Valley to Vancouver Island, performing and teaching in places ranging from the Vancouver Art Gallery to theAgassiz Prison Farm (where, as the troupe members remarked to the inmates, they indeed had a "captive audience.") "RESPONSE WAS good in small towns," commented Or Chadash dancer Joel Kositsky, "Everyone would participate in the dance instruction, mostly people aged 15 to 30, but also older people, and men as well as women." Troupe members warmly reminisce about the home hospitality they received, including one sleepover invitation for all 10 members. Ordinarily, however, they camped out while touring. The dancers agree that Or Chadash performances created curiosity and a positive feeling about ethnic cultures. In addition, points out Karen, "The performances left a very good impression in many people's minds of Israel, a counter-balance to the unfavorable publicity Israel recently received." Since the troupe is always identified with the Jewish Com-munily Centre, she feels its activities are good public relations for the local Jewish community also. On the other hand, the troupe's director would like to see stronger support for Or Chadash from within the Jewish Community. The dance company has performed for some Jewish organizations, but according to Karen, they would welcome greater attendance by Jewish people at its general public performances. Also, financial support from the Jewish Community has been limited. The troupe has been largely financed by government grants, but there is uncertainty over renewal of its grant from federal multi-cultural funds for the coming year. hi any case, points out Centre program director Gerry Zipur-sky, "These government grants are to help ethnic groups esta- blish a program. Then it's to the community to pick up it. For Or Chadash to continil it will have to get communf financial support after this ye| at the latest." One of the most success! offshoots of Or Chadash's acti) ties has been the Sunday nil recreational folk-dancing, mosj Israeli, started at the Cen{ last fall by Karen. An average of 100-150 peoj have regularly attended. By word-of-mouth the occasl became known as a good casj meeting place for JewishyoJ and the Centre has fostered tl development by sponsoring! y o u n g-adult refreshment-ai social-hour following thedancij The first local performj Israeli dance company was Nil oda, active at the Centre in 19| 68 under Linda Rubin. An attempt was made to re\ Nirkoda four years later, bi troupe materialized only last when Karen Uretsky-Hei created the larger and m| ambitious Or Chadash. dancers include many who performed with Karen elsewh(j in Habonim, in Nirkoda, oi Simon Fraser university wl she taught dance last year. Present performers in Chadash are: Laurie Nei Trudy Uretsky, Martha Rl Rosalie Neuwirth, Joel Kositj Howard Harowitz, Jim Br| Denis O'Shaughnessy, D| Green. The administrative staff] eludes Clive Kaplan, Gila G( Candice Sherriff. Ok CHADASH TO HOLD AUDITIONS SEPT. 23 Auditions for Or ChadashI Centre's performing folkdar group, will take place on Sur Sept. 23, 1:30 p.m., in the Women interested in auditiij are asked to wear tightsj leotards with loose skirf equally suitable clothing; should also wear loose clolj Everyone is being asked to belt, boots and hard-soled and be prepared to dance bar<] Further information is able at 738-1168 or 733-1 why carry your ^ luggage? USE A KART-a-BAG Llghtwelgl collapsible, easily folds into handy arm bag. a-BAG f / -•eight, 1^ ! /^^ lible; '* Available at Leading Department Stores KARTa-BAG CANADIAN DiSTRIBUTORJ GLENN LYSTER SALES 11 T495 Vcnablei Street, Voneouvjl Phone 254-7391 lor Informatl