Jews and dance

[Helen Winkler]

I'm just back from teaching my first Yiddish dance workshop.  The event went well and I think people enjoyed it;however, one comment that was made there and has been made at other such dance sponsored events that I've attended, is that there seems to be very little participation by the Jewish community (at least at events that are coordinated by dance groups rather than by Jewish organizations).  I'm reflecting on this because recently, someone in my community asked what kind of dance I do, as she was planning a program for an organization.  When I answered "Yiddish dance" her response was "Oh, well then we wouldn't want you.  You can't expect people to come out for that.  We need someone who does swing dancing."   Just wondering if others have had similar experiences or is my experience an anomaly.   Helen