The Arizona post., 1959-02-20
Even MosIems Applaud
Even MosIems Applaud
Israel Dancers Win
Friends With Shows
BY MILTON FRIEDMAN

Copyright 1859 Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc)
WASHINGTON-Mo -Moslem diplomats and young IsraeIis
joined hands here recently in joyous kbbutz folk dance
This amazing spectacle demonstrated how Israes outside
official diplomatic service aiding in the generation
of international friendship.
Seated in the blue room of the Shoreham Hotel was
party of Moslem diplomats and their guests When the
Harmon Israeli suddenly bounced stage in
gay harvest frolic the Moslems looked unnerved They
were obviously embarrassed
Evidently, the Moslems planned evening with
cuisine rather than the scheduled entertain
by the time the ten exuberant Israeli youths
finished their animated songs the captive Mos
lem audience truly captivated They agreed to come
up the audience and join, holding hands, in huge
circle dance
THE MOSLENIS, benefit of diplomatic relations
Israel recognized the Israeli boys and girls The Mos
lem party invited of the Israelis to join their table
The evening clearly an Israeli triumph
On another night the Israeis coaxed delighted Texas
doing hora The Texan completely
when the Israelis did spirited Western hoedoWn
of the type danced by Texas ranchers years ago.
The same Harmon group two years ago first prize
famed Soviet Moseyev Dancers at the International
Festival Folk Dancing Lille France. The Soviet Am
bassador noted this development However, the Israel En-
bassy in Paris preoccupied with other matters The
Israeli Ambassador learned of his countrys victory
only congratulated by the Soviet Ambassador
APPEARING Moscow, the Israeli dancers fascinated
Russians who for first time in touch with the
spirit and culture Israel They penetrated the
of Zionist decadence.' Russian Jewry thrilled
The head the group is 28yearold Jonathan Harmon
He has headed Israeli folk dance delegations to Stockholm
Oslo Paris Amsterdam, Rome Edinburgh, Brussels and
elsewhere The Israel Government recognized Karmons
work in developing the culture. He appointed
artistic manager of the national folk dances team
financial problem exists in exporting Israeli culture
The Kremin and the State Department possess heaVy
budgets for sending musical offerings abroad But the IS
rael dancers travel shoestrng The Zionist Organa
ton of America recently imported some Israeli talent But
the Harmon Dancers did not under ZOA sponsorship
TEIEVISIONS ED SULLIVAN, who telecast the Rus
sian Mosevev stars also brought Karmons 1sraells 10
American homes But mainly the harmon group 1ouho
itself desperately seeking bookings around the country
It is true the group beseged by jewish organ
cations desiring special performances Inc
sraes appreciated warmth and friendship Sadly ho"5
ever the organizations generally assumed that someone
else was picking up the check for expenses However
willing the Israeli youths had money IN their pockets
TO nav TRANSFORMATION and hotels to entertain Ae
can Jews free of charge.
When thev left Washington this excellent group was
wondering how they to obtain further logging ana
food The oirs looked longingly into store windows
Through commercial agency, the cancers ootalleu
some scattered bookings in Chicago St LOUIS Phlauelp
Miami Beach and New York But 1t was apparent uat ue
axinun1 advantage taken of their presence IN
America.