Dancing in Jaffa – dancing at Emanu-El: A four-star season opener

Scenes from the film “Dancing in Jaffa.”A four-star documentary film, a dessert buffet and dancing are all the exciting features of Arts Emanu-El’s season opener. The community is invited to celebrate this first event in Arts Emanu-El’s 2014-15 series of six arts and cultural events offered at Temple Emanu-El, Providence; each is open to the public. On Nov. 15 at 7 p.m., the series begins with the irresistible “Dancing in Jaffa” plus other delicious treats. 

Arts Emanu-El’s mission is to bring quality Jewish arts and cultural events to Temple Emanu-El and to the community. “Dancing in Jaffa” was chosen as an excellent vehicle to start the season of film, concerts, and talks. The film takes place in Jaffa, bringing its beach, streets, sounds, neighborhoods and diverse communities to Providence. The film focuses on a remarkable international program of ballroom dancing involving children in difficult cultural settings.

In “Dancing in Jaffa,” Pierre Dulaine, an internationally renowned ballroom dancer, fulfills a lifelong dream when he takes his program, Dancing Classrooms, back to his city of birth, Jaffa. Over a 10-week period, Dulaine teaches 10-year-old Palestinian-Israeli and Jewish-Israeli children to dance together and to compete peacefully together.

“Dancing in Jaffa” explores the complex stories of three children who are forced to confront issues of identity, segregation and racial prejudice as they dance with their enemies. The classroom becomes a microcosm of the Middle East’s struggle to work together harmoniously while still caught in the politics of the region and race. The film offers an up close and personal perspective of how the future might unfold if the art of movement and dance could triumph over the politics of history and geography.

Patrons who attend the Arts Emanu-El’s season opener can see the movie, enjoy a delicious dessert buffet and learn to tango with Steven Spura, owner-director of Providence Tango, and a passionate teacher of Argentine tango. Experts from Providence Tango will give tango demonstrations and help teach this very elegant and dramatic form of ballroom dance.

Other events in the Arts Emanu-El season include the young soprano Maayan Harel in concert, on Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m., and a series of four spring events titled “The Tangled Legacy: Being a Jew in France,” focusing on the Jews in France, their history, their struggles and triumphs, and their music.

The series includes a documentary film, a book discussion, a lecture and a major concert. For more information, go to teprov.org/arts_emanu-el.

Reservation deadline for the Nov. 15 event is Nov. 10. Ticket price is $15 and includes the film and a delicious dessert buffet, plus tango lessons and dancing with a professional ballroom dance instructor.

To purchase tickets, please go to: http://www.teprov.org/dancing_in_jaffa_reservation_form

Or, send a check to: Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence, R.I. 02906. Note: “Dancing in Jaffa.”

LINDA SHAMOON, is co-chair, Arts Emanu-El at Temple Emanu-El in Providence.