Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: Just Jewish Dance in New JCC in Kiev, Ukraine

In response to the onset of World War I and the devastation it wreaked on thousands of Jewish communities in war-torn regions, the newly-formed American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) initiated massive relief projects in pre-Israel Palestine to sustain fragile communities and across Eastern Europe to support communities devastated by the war.

"The Joint," as it came to be known, is still active and was instrumental in creating the Halom Jewish Community Center (JCC), a new 17,000 square foot facility located in central Kiev. The center — a project of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and Kiev’s Jewish community — serves as a multi-generational hub for Jewish cultural, educational, community, and social service programs and activities.

Among the activities is Just Jewish Dance, a creative program of dance set to Jewish and Israeli music. Here are some of the dancers in a graphical production of Shmor Na Aleinu. Enjoy! 

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO IS NOT VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.