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Dancing in Jaffa

As an institution with a clear and strong religious tradition, Saint David's has a special interest in the promotion and development of an appreciation for and understanding of religious differences.  This is especially true given our school-wide theme this year True Community.

Today, I enjoyed the distinct pleasure of meeting internationally renowned ballroom dancer Pierre Dulaine who has just completed a documentary film in Israel entitled "Dancing in Jaffa."

Following a long and distinguished career teaching ballroom dancing to children on the Upper East Side, Pierre wanted to expand his reach.  He began a program entitled "Dancing Classroom" that is now in some 250 NYC Public Schools.  Still not satisfied, Pierre has taken his mission and message international.  Dancing in Jaffa documents Pierre's return to his birthplace, and his attempts to bring two otherwise distinctly different cultural/religious groups' children together through dance--Israeli Jews and Palestinians.  Pierre has a powerful message in Dancing in Jaffa, and we had a wonderful exchange of ideas in discussing dancing, Jaffa, religion and Saint David's.

Dancing in Jaffa Trailer from kNow Productions on Vimeo.

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