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Friday August 15, 2008

Six Israelis to dance with JCCSF Maccabi team in Detroit

by amanda pazornik
staff writer

Dancer Hen Yosef hits her final pose as the music stops, in the rehearsal room awaiting plaudits, criticism or both from coach Karina Sankin and fellow dance team members.

What she heard, however, was something between advice for dancing and advice for dating.

“Pretend there’s a hot Jewish guy sitting in the back row and flirt with him,” said Sankin, who wanted her performer to smile more and interact with the audience.

And it worked, even at the JCC of San Francisco where dancers practiced Aug. 9 to get ready for the Detroit Maccabi Games, which begin Sunday, Aug. 17.

Yosef is part of a small contingent of dancers from Holon, Israel, who came to the United States to participate in the Olympic-style competition. Local dancers will join them in representing the JCCSF.

“This is an experience I’ve never had,” said 16-year-old Omer Yardeni, one of the Israel team members. “I’m very excited about making my own dance, but I’m a little nervous to see how people will accept it.”

Yardeni will perform three dances, including a jazz number to the “Hairspray” classic, “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” He is one of the two male dancers on the squad, something he considers to be special. Alameda resident Evan Kharrazi agreed, noting his excitement to share his passion for dance with so many Jewish athletes.

“I love the social aspect of the Maccabi Games,” said 14-year-old Kharrazi, a contemporary and jazz dancer. “Everyone has the same interest in competing and doing sports.”

Dancers participating in the Games experience the audition process, work with different choreographers and learn new routines. For the six Israeli team members, it also is an opportunity to explore San Francisco before hopping a plane to Michigan.

“It’s so exciting and very cool to be here,” said Meitar Kohen, 14, of Israel. “This is very special and not something that everyone does. It’s a dream.”

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