A couple of weeks ago, I saw an amazing solo performance which will be difficult to put into words, but I will give it a try. I had heard of a woman who based created movement and interpretive dance on the Hebrew letters. However, I was never able to expand my imaginative powers to envision how on Earth the human body could match its contours to the shapes of the Hebrew letters. The dance, or rather, movement meditation, did not involve elaborate contortions, but the curves and the moves suggested the outlines of the letters and their meaning.
The Cleveland-based performer, Yocheved Polonsky, spelled out the phrase “Aishes Chayil” (or “woman of valor”), a traditional prayer, written by King Solomon, that is sung by a husband on the evening of Shabbat. Mrs. Polonsky began with an aleph, stretching her arms and legs gently, and at the same time, describing the aleph’s importance in creation, that is the center of the Hebrew word “geulah” or Redemption (the ideal age when the Messiah will come). The goal of the movement meditation is to synthesize movement with spiritual ideas and concepts.
It is refreshing to see dance used in a way that expresses the content of the soul rather than the measurements of the body. Nowadays, dance in the form of gyrating and hip-shaking is used to sell everything from cars to cans of soda. Mrs. Polonsky teaches us that it is empowering for women to express spiritual values through dance. As a Lubavitcher, she also shatters stereotypes about Orthodox, and particularly, chassidic, women. She clearly has talent in dance, and she is determined not to reject this gift, but to use it for spiritual ends.
Mrs. Polonsky has started a dance school in Cleveland called the Cli Institute. Her schedule of dance classes looks similar to the offerings at other dance academies, including Jazz, Ballet and Pilates, but these classes are for women and girls, giving them an opportunity to integrate dance and values.
Yocheved gives seminars, workshops and performances, and sometimes travels. If you are interested in learning more about her and the Cli Institute, visit her website and www.cliinstitiute.com