A girls' high school where dance and religious studies complement each other wins the Education Ministry’s prestigious Religious Education Prize.
The school, the Naomi Wolinetz “ulpana” (religious girls high school) of the Tzviya network in Ramat Eshkol, Jerusalem, combines religious studies with sculpture, computerized graphics, architecture, art and dance.
The school was recognized for its “art works expressing the students’ learning process,” as well as for the excellent scholastic achievements of both of its classes – a high-level class and a matriculation track. The Naomi Wolinetz Ulpana was founded ten years ago with the goal of imbuing Jewish values, knowledge of science and artistic achievements on a high level.
One of its biggest challenges, says principal Orit Bloch, is integrating dance studies with traditional Jewish values. “I admit that when a Torah-observant young lady expresses herself in dance,” Bloch says, “she creates a not-simple struggle. Dance emphasizes the body and its potency, and the dancer is concentrated on her external manifestation - while Judaism emphasizes the inner dimension, significance, spirit and values, and particularly the element of modesty. These seem to clash.”
She explains, however, that the very struggle between the two “strengthens self-awareness and modesty, uplifts the dancer’s soul and what surrounds her, and the dance is granted a different and deeper significance.”
“Via dance,” Bloch adds, “one can deeply and uniquely express one’s personal struggles… Our students receive personal guidance in balancing between these seemingly contradictory messages.”
One young religious dancer explained it this way: “In some circles, dance is viewed in a very professional manner, emphasizing the external and physical. But for me, and in many religious circles, I feel that dance has the element of prayer… Without sacrificing professionalism at all, I feel that via dancing, I can express myself and what I am feeling; different types of dance to express different moods. Someone told me that after she saw me dancing, she felt she knew me better… We of course do not dance in front of men, the music is attuned to our sensibilities, and I am focused on the dance and what it means - and therefore the element of ‘lack of modesty’ simply does not come into play.”
Principal Bloch seems to have a special place in her heart for sculpture and art, among her school’s special studies: “Sculpture and art express the unique character of the artist, removing masks and forcing him/her to struggle with his/her doubts, beliefs, difficulties and hopes. Every other artistic avenue enables the person to run away and to fool himself and others.”
Though the ulpana has no dormitory, girls seek it out and travel back and forth daily from as far away as the Jordan Valley, Beit Shemesh and the Hevron area.