Israeli Hora: Circle Dance with the Yemenite Step

Israeli folk dance blends steps from many communities, like the hora from Eastern Europe or the Yemenite step from Yemenite Jews, and is almost always danced in an open circle anyone can join. The class learns three steps and builds a 32-count circle dance.

How to play

1. Short background and a hand-held circle: walk and grapevine to the right and left (4 min).
2. Hora step: side, cross behind, side and two alternating hops; first without music, then with it (5 min).
3. Yemenite step: side with a knee bend, step in place, cross in front and hold; to the right and left (5 min).
4. Build the dance: 8 counts grapevine, 8 hora, 8 Yemenite and 8 in and out of the center (6 min).
5. Full dance three times, switching direction each round and speeding up the tempo (5 min).

Rules

• Hold hands without pulling; if the circle speeds up, let go and rejoin.
• Low hops in place, no pushing your neighbor.
• Everyone is in the circle: no spectators.
• Count out loud at each step change.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with visual impairments: dance between two classmates who guide by the hand; describe the step before each block.
• Students with limited mobility: the circle moves at wheelchair pace and the student claps the changes.
• Hesitant students: start next to a classmate who knows the step and hold the card for that block.

Learning goals

• Perform three basic steps from Israeli folk dance.
• Link eight-count blocks without losing the beat.
• Appreciate circle dancing as a way for a community to come together.

Equipment for a class of 25

• speaker: 1
• step cards: 6

Teacher tip

Use royalty-free instrumental folk music or keep the beat with claps. Put the block cards in the middle of the circle so everyone can see them. Common mistake: doing the Yemenite step with straight legs; ask them to sink a little on the first step.

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