The Society of Folk Dance Historians (SFDH)

The Society of Folk Dance Historians (SFDH)

Israeli Steps
By Israel Yakovee

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Cherkessiya Step (Left).: Step R fwd while raising arms up; step L bkwd bringing arms down; step R bkwd; step L fwd (4 steps to 4 cts).
Cherkessiya Step (Right).: Step L fwd while raising arms up; step R bkwd bringing arms down; step L bkwd; step R fwd (4 steps to 4 cts).
Double Cherkessiya Step.: Step R across in front of L; step L in back of R; step R to the R side; pause. Reverse with opp ftwk. Add: Step R across in front of L; step L in back of R.
Box Step: Step R to R (ct 1); step L in front of R (ct 2); step R bkwd (ct 3); step L to L (ct 4). Sometimes there is a pronounced leap onto R on ct 1.
Cha-cha-cha Step: Step RS fwd (ct 1); step L next to R (ct &); step R fwd (ct 2). Sometimes called "step-together-step." This step can be done beginning with either ft.
Cha-cha-cross Step: Step R to R (ct 1); step L next to R (ct &); step R to R (ct 2); step L in front of R (ct 3); step back into place on R (ct 4). This step can be done with opp ftwk and dir.
Debka Step.: Touch R heel slightly fwd (ct 1); step R (ct &). This step can be done with opp ftwk.
Debka Jump.: Jump to both ft with ft together while turning knees to L side. Jump again while turning knees to orig pos.
Grapevine Step.: Facing CCW, step fwd (ct 1); step L in front of R (ct 2); facing ctr, step R to R (ct 3); step L behind R (ct 4).
This step can also begin with ct 2: that is, step L in front of R (ct 1); facing ctr, step R to R (ct 2); step L behind R (ct 3); step R fwd (ct 4).
The first Grapevine described is often called and "open grapevine" and the second is often called a "crossing grapevine."
Mayim Step: A 4-step Grapevine – beginning with R ft crossing over L; L to L side; R behind L; L to L side. May also beg L.
Yemenite Step (Left): Step L to L, bending knees (ct 1); step on R toe next to L heel straightening knees (ct 2); step L across in front of R bending knees (ct 3); hold, straightening knees easily (ct 4). Do not turn hips. A Yemenite step may be danced in 3 cts by eliminating the hold on ct 4.
Yemenite Step (Right).: Same as Yemenite L, but with opp ftwk and dir.
Yemenite Step (with Hop).: Same ftwk as Yemenite Step, but on ct 4 do a hop instead of hold.
Yemenite Step (Backward).: Step R bkwd, bending knee (ct 1); step on ball of L beside R (ct 2); step R fwd (ct 3); hold (ct 4). May also beg L.
Yemenite Step (Fast).: Same ftwk as Yemenite Step, but takes only two cts of 4/4 meter, that is, cts 1,&,2, hold (ct &). Usually repeats with opp ftwk for cts 2,&,4.

Dabkie Hold.: Arms held fwd, elbows bent at waist level; L arm over R of person to L, hands joined.
Varsouvienne Position: Facing the same direction, M stands slightly behind and to the left of the W. M holds W L hand in his L hand in front of her L shldr, and holds W R hand in his R hand in front of her R shldr (his R arm behind her back).
Lower Varsouvienne Position: Same as Varsouvienne Position, except that M holds W R hand in his R hand at her R waist (his R arm behind her back).

DOCUMENTS

Israel, a country.

Used with permission of the author.
Reprinted from the 1993 University of the Pacific (Stockton) Folk Dance Camp syllabus.

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