Israeli folk dancing is one of the most popular and widespread hobbies in Israel. Over the years since the early days of settlement, tens of thousands of dancers throughout Israel and around the world have embraced this hobby.
When discussing the need and desire for the integration of diverse communities, there is no hobby more suitable for this purpose than folk dancing, which successfully brings together veterans with new immigrants, Sephardic Jews with Ashkenazi Jews, young people alongside the young at heart, and more.
Over the years, the field has gained momentum. While in the early days of dance sessions they were conducted by instructors who volunteered or received symbolic payment – as a supplementary activity for the soul – today the commercial aspect of the field is growing stronger, and some instructors even make their living from it as their main occupation.
Alongside the positive development and expansion of dance circles, several issues arose that troubled dancers, but these remained merely topics of conversation among dancers during breaks and did not receive real attention or treatment.
In mid-2007, a group of dancers – some more veteran and some less – decided to establish the Israeli Folk Dancers Association, whose role would be to work voluntarily in an attempt to bring improvement in areas that, unfortunately, were pushed to the sidelines and no one was found to provide them with an appropriate solution.
The organization was established and registered as a nonprofit association according to law. Its members include founding members, dozens of activists, and a very wide circle of supporters that continues to grow week by week.
The Israeli Folk Dancers Association aims to cooperate with instructors' organizations and thereby bring solutions to issues on the agenda for the benefit and welfare of both dancers and instructors.
Within the organization, teams operate in the format of subcommittees that discuss various topics, which at the end of the process come up for discussion and vote in the general assembly of association members, where decisions are made democratically.
The founding members in alphabetical order are: Hanna Abramovitz, Uri Givoni (OBM), Danny Gilor, Adi Habad, Harry Couriel, Vered Manshari, Gad Amit, Tsuriel Assis, Atara Tzur, Shmuel Kramer, Hanan Reiman (OBM), Uzi Sade (OBM), Yair Shahar, Irit Stern, Eitan Schmidt (OBM).
The members in 2026 in alphabetical order are: Willy Blau, Danny Gilor, Aviva Gafni, Adi Habad, Harry Couriel, Heli Livne, Eli Mazor, Vered Manshari, Ofka Ovadia, Tsuriel Assis, Atara Tzur, Moshe Kordover, Orly Shahar, Irit Stern.
Heartfelt thanks to all activists and members who work completely voluntarily.
If you wish to express support for the Israeli Folk Dancers Association, please click here
