Hillel Ontario

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Your Favourite Dances On One Foot

by | Jan 18, 2018 | Hillel Ontario, On One Foot | 0 comments


When you think about a ballerina, you likely think about a pink tutu, a tight bun, and beautiful posture! You might also think about a long-legged dancer, standing on pointe On One Foot. We like the way you think! Go ahead and share this post and add a link to the team you want to see supported.

 

We all know what twerking is. Miley Cyrus does it, Nicky Minaj does it, Rihanna does it, and you can likely name many more! What you might not know is that it actually links far back in the African culture. Similar African dance styles are called mapouka, leumbuel, and others. They all have the typical movement of the hips in common.

 

Oppan Gangnam style
Gangnam style
Najeneun ttasaroun inganjeokin yeoja
Keopi hanjaneu yeoyureul aneun pumgyeok inneun yeoja
Bami omyeon simjangi tteugeowojineun yeoja
Geureon banjeon inneun yeoja

… Do you remember this? Of course you do! And we do too! How about the classic Gangnam Style dance? Now imagine that on one foot!! We challenge you to try it right now!

 

The Stanky Legg started in 2008, when the GS Boyz came out with their hit ”Stanky Legg”. Essentially, all the dancer needs to do is move one leg in circular motion, while balancing themselves on the other leg. Now the big question is, how you do the Stanky Legg On One Foot? We suggest you raise your circling foot into the air, instead of balancing it on the ground.

 

Everyone knows John Travolta’s Saturday Night Fever. It’s among the most classical dance moves out there, marking the whole era of disco dance. All you need to do for Saturday Night Fever is stick your hand up in the air, point towards the sky and then take the hand back down, diagonally to where it was before, and point your finger down to the ground.

Now let’s add the twist. Keep doing the described motion, but at the same time pull one leg up.

Finally, a quick reminder to make sure you stay balanced!

 

This one is a little harder to try at home. Especially if you’re by yourself. If you’ve watched Dirty Dancing you probably remember the scene where Baby jumps into Johnny’s arm during the final epic dance scene. Can you imagine that scene On One Foot? Let us help you… Johnny stands at one end of the room, On One Foot. Baby stands at the other end of the room, On One Foot. All of a sudden Baby starts jumping On One Foot towards Johnny. When she reaches him she jumps high up, and Johnny (still standing On One Foot) is trying to catch her, loses balance, and end of story. Doesn’t sound great? We agree, so don’t try it at home!

 

This one won’t take much imagination as it is being danced On One Foot. In case you don’t know what The Funky Chicken is, we ask you now to stand up, whether you’re on a call, in the library, or alone at home, and follow these instructions:
1. Take your right foot in your right hand.

  1. Put your left hand behind your head, elbow facing to the sky.
  2. With your left hand push your head down. Simultaneously pull your right knee up.
  3. Go back to no.2
  4. Go back to no. 3
  5. Continue repeating.
    You’ve learned The Funky Chicken. Congrats!

 

 

This Passover, help Hillel fortify Jewish students’ identities

This Passover, help Hillel fortify Jewish students’ identities

by | Apr 3, 2023

The night before the Children of Israel’s departure from Egypt is referred to as leil shimurim, often translated as a “night of vigil.”  Rav Nahman and subsequent scholars interpret this phrase, which appears nowhere else in the Tanakh, as a time of divine protection. These scholars conclude the night when Passover begins is one of safety – one on which no harm can come to the Jewish people.

In the face of rising antisemitism, isolation, extremism, and other threats to Jews individually and collectively, we are fortunate that there are additional ways and times for seeking security and comfort.  Building and sustaining strong, inclusive, and welcoming Jewish communities on campus enables Jewish students to experience a sense of belonging with their peers, bolster their leadership skills, advocate for themselves, and chart their own Jewish journeys.  Indeed,  Hillel Ontario is on track for a record-breaking year, in which we will engage more than 3,500 Jewish students. Leil shimurim might be just one night, but together, we can fortify emerging adults’ Jewish identities and provide spaces in which they prepare to take on leadership roles after graduation.

As we head into Passover, we are grateful for all of the contributions you’ve made in support of Jewish student life in Ontario.  Your generosity allows us to confront antisemitism, instill a sense of joy, pride, and resilience in Jewish students, and empower the next generation of Jewish leaders.  

While we’re proud of our success, more work remains to provide for our universities’ 10,000 Jewish students who remain unengaged with Jewish campus life in Ontario.  In conjunction with your observance of the upcoming holiday, please consider a gift to Hillel Ontario so we can continue our work and provide additional openings for connection with Jewish life, learning, and Israel.

Chag sameach,

Seth Goren
CEO, Hillel Ontario

Weekly D’var: Tzav

Weekly D’var: Tzav

by | Mar 31, 2023

In this week’s parasha, Tzav, focuses on the laws of sacrifices and priestly duties. The emphasis is on the instructions given to the priests regarding the burnt offerings, the meal offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. These offerings were an essential part of the religious practices of the Israelites, and they were intended to symbolize the people’s devotion to God.

As I reflect on this chapter, I am struck by the idea of sacrifice. In today’s world, sacrifice is often viewed negatively. We are taught to prioritize our own needs and desires, and sacrificing them for the sake of others or for a greater cause is often seen as a burden. However, the concept of sacrifice in this chapter of the Torah is different. It is not seen as a burden or a punishment, but rather as a means of expressing devotion and gratitude.

In Tzav, the burnt offering is described as a “pleasing aroma to the Lord”. The idea of a pleasing aroma suggests that the sacrifice is not just a physical act, but also a spiritual one. It is an offering of the heart, a way of expressing love and gratitude to God. As I look around the world today, I see many examples of sacrifice that are motivated by love and gratitude. Healthcare workers, for example, have been sacrificing their own safety and well-being to care for those who are sick during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are not doing this because they are being forced to, but because they feel a sense of duty and devotion to their patients. Similarly, many people have been sacrificing their own comfort and convenience to protect the environment. They are making changes to their lifestyles, such as reducing their energy consumption or using public transportation instead of driving, because they recognize the importance of preserving the planet for future generations. Making sacrifices to show devotion and gratitude is also a way of showing appreciation for the things that we have been given, and a way of giving back to the world.\

As I read this chapter, I am also intrigued by the idea of atonement. The sin offering and the guilt offering were both intended to provide a way for the people to seek forgiveness for their sins. In our modern world, forgiveness and atonement are often difficult to come by. We live in a culture that values punishment and retribution over forgiveness and reconciliation. However, the idea of atonement in this text suggests that forgiveness is possible, even for the most serious of offenses. It requires a willingness to acknowledge our mistakes, to take responsibility for our actions, and to make amends.

In today’s Jewish community, the lessons of Tzav continue to be relevant. The act of sacrifice, whether it be in the form of volunteering, making charitable donations, or participating in community service, is still seen as a way to connect with God and express gratitude for the blessings of life. Similarly, seeking forgiveness and atonement remains a central tenet of Jewish faith and practice. Finally, the concept of sacrifice is particularly relevant during Jewish holidays and festivals, such as Passover and Yom Kippur. During these occasions, we make offerings and engage in rituals that are intended to demonstrate our devotion to God and their commitment to living a righteous life

As I reflect on this parasha, the concepts of sacrifice and atonement may seem outdated or irrelevant in our modern world, but they still have a powerful message to teach us. By sacrificing for others and seeking forgiveness for our mistakes, we can show our love and devotion to the world around us and ultimately make the world a better place to live.

Emily Green
Student, Western Hillel

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