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Dance Ministry


Diana Martin – Dance Coordinator

Since the days of our redemption from Egypt (Exodus 15), dance has played an integral part in Jewish worship.  Miryam, King David and our people through every generation have entered the joy of this expression. At Kehilat Ariel, we believe in expressing the joy of our redemption even today. At almost every main service (Shabbat and Holy Days) you will witness the visual mosaic of traditional Israeli dance. For us, it is not just for the wedding reception or bar mitzvah but rather a weekly statement of our love for God and Messiah.  Whether you have a background in the arts or can’t tell your left foot from the right, all are invited to join us to learn this Messianic Jewish way of praising our Creator.

Nagila B’Ariel (Hebrew meaning “We rejoice in the Lion of God”) is Kehilat Ariel’s dance worship and outreach ministry.  Our vision is to honor our Lord Yeshua with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength through Jewish/Davidic dance. We learn and share choreographed dances with messianic believers at regional and international conferences, as well as from the Israeli dance community. Our desire is to worship the Lord together with fellow believers and to be a light among the nations and in our local community. We honor Yeshua through dance in several ways:

  • At our weekly shabbat services in a joyful and disciplined expression of unity, as we lead the congregation in choreographed dances that lift up our Messiah.
  • Through special dance presentations and during our festivals such as the High Holy Days, Hanukkah, and Passover.
  • By teaching dance workshops and providing dance teaching videos for those wanting to learn choreographed dances.
  • Through presentations to churches and members of the body of Messiah, to share our joy in dance worship, as well as the Jewish roots of our faith through dance.
  • Through outreaches to the larger community, to share the joy of dance as well as the Jewish roots of our faith.
  • By participating in community events such as holiday celebrations, unity events and the SD County Fair.

Nagila B’Ariel will gladly share to both English and Spanish audiences. For more information please contact Kehilat Ariel Messianic Synagogue at 858-490-4355, by emailing Dance@KehilatAriel.org, or come join us at our Shabbat Dance reviews or workshops listed in our Dance Calendar of Events below.

Dance Calendar of Events

 All welcome 10-1030am every Shabbat to review the dances for our 1030am Shabbat service.  Meet upstairs in our Dance Room.

 May
15 – Jonathan Settel free concert, 730pm at KA
        All invited to learn the dances for the concert, 5/15 230-4pm in Dance Room upstairs.
        Haas anniversary Oneg, 1-3pm at KA
        We will be dancing at the Oneg from 1-2pm in Fellowship Hall
 30 – UMJC Picnic, 10a-5pm up in Orange, CA
        All invited to learn the dances, Shabbat 5/22 & 5/29 1-3pm in Dance Room upstairs.

 June
17 – Del Mar Fair, 1-2pm
        All invited to learn the dances for the Fair, Tues 6/8 & 6/15 8-9pm or Shabbat 6/12 1-3pm in Dance Room upstairs.

 July
27 – Klezmeds Concert at the Park, Organ Pavilion at Balboa Park, 615-715pm
        All invited to learn the dances, Shabbat 7/17 & 7/24 1-3pm in Dance Room upstairs.

Pesach 2009 Music and Dance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLTSg_0Z6zQ)

UMJC “Modeh Ani” Dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pEHGCogTuo