Offerings

Workshops, classes, residencies, and more, for audiences of all sizes and ages

Ma’agal offers…

Teacher Training

This is the true heart of Ma’agal: we love to “train the trainer” so the incredible impact of Israeli dance education touches even more people in more places.

The first-ever Ma'agal retreat was held in May of 2015 on the grounds of Camp Alonim in CA and was generously supported by the Foundation for Jewish Camp and the AVI CHAI Foundation. In attendance were 20 dance specialists from camps and schools across the spectrum of Jewish camp affiliations and geographic regions, and we spent a terrific few days of learning and sharing together.


“I came into this program more than a little tired and overwhelmed. I felt like I knew what there was to know and I would be bored. But from the moment we started, Erica’s warmth and enthusiasm wowed me and opened my eyes to how much I could not only grow my camp but expand my own horizons. I found value in every single program we did and have been inspired to better myself for my camp and my kids. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.” 
-Ma’agal 2015 participant

Camp Residencies

If your Jewish summer camp already has an Israeli dance program, together we can craft a residency to take it to the next level. Maybe we come and spend a day with your rikud specialist (or whatever you’ve got!) teaching them a handful of new dances, or perhaps we come for a week, a weekend, or more, and put on special programs directly for the entire camp population, in addition to or instead of working with staff who lead dancing,

As one example, in June of 2024 Erica spent two days in residence with JCamp LA (a day camp). The engagement consisted of one half day of training staff to elevate the existing program, one half day leading dancing for campers so the staff got to experience the lessons firsthand, and in the early evening, a community event where parents could come and dance with their children, alongside other families from the community. The next day, Erica joined the staff to introduce Israeli dancing as a component of the weekly Shabbat celebration.

“Having Erica work with us at the beginning of the summer meant we reaped the benefits throughout the rest of the summer. The experience gave our dance specialist the confidence and tools she needed to continue to lift up the dance program, and it changed our camp culture in the most joyous way!”
- Edana Appel, camp director.

Folkdance Camps and Workshops

We’ve been teaching and leading Israeli dance at international and Israeli folkdance camps for decades.  

Erica was on the leadership team of the Gvanim Israeli dance camp for 10 years and has taught Israeli for many well-known international camps such as Stockton Folkdance Camp (CA) and Mainewoods Dance Camp (ME). In 2025, Erica will be teaching at Kochavim Dance Camp in Texas, the Ellen Golann weekend in NY, and more. Get in touch if you’re looking for a Master Teacher for your camp or as an anchor for a folkdance workshop.

Classes

Erica’s next class series will be at the Senesh School in Brooklyn, beginning January 22, 2025. If you’re local, register here (and tell a friend!). If you joined the December mini-mester, see here to review what you learned.

Events

Israeli dancing makes a GREAT activity for a youth event, a session at a conference for adults, the evening activity for a 55+ retreat, and innumerable other kinds of occasions.

In 2024, Erica led Israeli dancing for hundreds of teens at BBYO’s International Convention (FL) and Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Cornerstone Fellowship (PA), for the senior community of the Shames JCC on the Hudson (NY), for the young adults at a Trybal Gathering weekend (MA), for a Chabad “Ladies Night Out” (Brooklyn) and more. We’ll always tailor the repertoire and style to perfectly suit an event’s vibe, theme, and goals.

Students dancing in a circle with Erica
Erica leads teens in dancing at Cornerstone