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• 03.03.10 shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  Yeh!

• 26.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  Only 51 votes to reach 10,000. Yeh!

• 25.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  Shira knows and lives and loves Israeli dance and culture. She communicates it SO effectively. One can't help but pick up on her joy.
  Thanks, Shira, for all you have shared with us!

• 25.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  Shira knows and lives and loves Israeli dance and culture. She communicates it SO effectively. One can't help but pick up on her joy.
  Thanks, Shira, for all you have shared with us!

• 25.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  Oh, so close to the 10,000 vote mark. Come on guys and gals put her over the top. She is a jewel.

• 25.02.10 Shira is a blessing to | Anonymous

  Shira is a blessing to everyone thank you for ur beauty!

• 25.02.10 Shira is driven by her | Anonymous

  Shira is driven by her passion for Jewish / Israeli culture as a vibrant and integrated part of our lives. She sees her role in life (or at least one of them) as providing us with as many opportunities as possible to ‘do’ our culture, providing emotional connections to our people and to Israel. So she leads and helps organize ‘arvei shira’ (Israeli sing-a-longs) where people can join in singing the beautiful popular songs of Israel. When she brings ORIM, her teen Israeli Dance Troupe to perform, she tries to get the audience up to dance. And the dancers in the group are encouraged to teach dancing themselves. They also frequently choreograph dances for the group, and several have because assistant directors (or even in one case the director) of the group after graduating. When 4th graders at the St. Paul Talmud Torah Day School (too young to dance weekly in the choir she leads there) asked to dance more, she gave up her recess time to dance with them. One major impetus behind the full-length Hebrew musical she puts on each year is to show the students that the Hebrew they are learning is a living language, usable for ‘Oklahoma’, ‘Joseph’, ‘Fiddler’, ‘The Wizard of Oz’ or ‘Annie’ and not just in the classroom. She has directed full-school re-enactments of the crossing of the Red Sea (without the drowning part) for Pesach, New Moon celebrations, a ‘rikudia’ with the whole school dancing for Yom Ha’atzma’ut, a yearly purimspiel, and numerous other programs. She also believes our culture is integrated with life, and should lead us to further understanding of the world around us and a desire to improve that world – so in addition to a ‘Hagigat Sefer Hatorah’ enacting stories from Breishit when students receive their first T’nach, she does a ‘Chinese Opera’ enacting a Chinese folk tale; in addition to the ‘rikudia’ she does a ‘hootenany’ of American folk music for Thanksgiving and a study of Black American music leading up to Martin Luther King day; her Nitzanim choir at the Talmud Torah has joint programs with the ‘Merry Minstrels’ from a local Catholic school and with ‘City Songs’ - a local choir for inner city youth; in addition to teaching Bach, Scott Joplin, and current groups (whose names I am too old to know), she teaches Rachel (the Israeli poettess), and Naomi Shemer. It seems too much for a person to do – she succeeds because she exudes a contagious love and enthusiasm for the culture and for all those who ‘do’ the culture with her. Thank you, Shira, for sharing that love and enthusiasm with me for the last 33 years!

• 25.02.10 Shira | Anonymous

  I have enjoyed dancing with Shira at many events in the St. Paul-Minneapolis area over the years, from Mount Zion Temple to the Minnesota History Center. Always inspiring, always teaching new moves (and waiting patiently for others to catch on), she has shared the joy of Israeli dance, music and spirit with countless people in this part of the country. Thank you, Shira. P.S. Thanks, too, for providing a teen dance troupe, ORIM, which my daughter has enjoyed tremendously.

• 25.02.10 Shira | Anonymous

  There is a direct line between Shira and God.

• 22.02.10 shira schwartz | Anonymous

  Keep those votes coming. Push it over the 10,000 mark.

• 22.02.10 Shira is truly a gem- an | Anonymous

  Shira is truly a gem- an incredibly precious and rare individual who has devoted her life to bringing joy and cultural understanding to Jewish youth and the Jewish community in Minnesota. After over 30 years teaching in the community it is awe-inspiring to think about how many lives she has positively impacted. Through teaching dance and music, she has imparted the richness of Jewish culture. The importance of this cannot be over emphasized. As more Jewish youth feel disconnected from their Jewish identity, Shira provides a unique cultural dimension that increases people's connection to their roots and keeps our Jewish community vital and alive. I have been so fortunate to have Shira as a music teacher, choir director, Israeli dance teacher and mentor. If I could someday touch the Jewish community and Jewish youth to even half the extent that Shira has, I would be incredibly fortunate. She is vivacious, loving, energetic, compassionate, dedicated, and inspirational. Thank you so much for everything you do for all of us, and thank you for teaching me how to connect to my Jewish identity and infuse it into every aspect of my life. I believe that without her, I would not know what it means to be Jewish.

• 22.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  I have taught and danced with Shira for over 35 years and credit her with keeping Israeli dance alive in the Twin Cities. Without her enthusiasm, dedication and love for dance, I am convinced that we would not be dancing Israeli dance here. Shira, you are an inspiration to all you teach and have taught. I am proud to call you my friend and colleague. Keep up the wonderful work!

• 21.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  I see that the number of votes is increasing. Let's see if they can acceed 10,000. This 77 year old would like to see Shira win.

• 21.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  I dance some beautiful traditional Israeli dances, some totally joyful club line dances and some funky and silly ones, too. I dance trickier dances than I thought I ever could. Thanks to Shira from a 64-year-old protestant woman. It is very good to have these Jewish dances in my life.

• 20.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  Keep those votes coming! She deserves the prize.

• 17.02.10 Shira | Anonymous

  Kol Hakavod. Good Luck Shira!

• 17.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  Would you believe that Shira comes all the way to Danebod, the Danish Folk School in Tyler, MN every summer for a full week to teach folk dancing? That is way beyond her community doings in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Skoal!

• 17.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  Hey guys, keep those votes coming. Shira is number one! Believe me. I've seen her in action. Vote and vote often.

• 17.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  Go Shira go! Yeh!

• 16.02.10 Shira deffinetlly deserves | Anonymous

  Shira deffinetlly deserves this. She not only teaches people impecable dance skills... but also teaches them life skills in the process. She is purely kind hearted, and is always open to giving advice. All of Shira's dance lessons are filled with enthusiasm, and positive energy. Shira has always been very insiring. Not just to me, but to the jewish community of Minnesota.
  You go, shira!

• 16.02.10 shira schwartz | Anonymous

  She deserves your undivided attention. Heads up. Watch. Take note. You won't be sorry. You'll love her.

• 16.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  Hey, you can't go wrong comment....from Gordon

• 16.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  Hey, you can't go wrong with this dancer. She's top notch. The best instructor in exotic dances of the Near East that you'll ever find. She makes it fun, entertaining, delightful, painless, joyful, spirited, and with such ease. She's a pro. Such grace on the dance floor you seldom see. She can make anyone who dances with two left feet into a pretty fair dancer in only a few sessions. Just watch her and you'll get it regardless of age. Great exercise. Better than arobics and much more fun.

• 15.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  I've known Shira for over 33 years, and knew her fairly close to the beginning of her enthusiasm for her art and work. I never knew her to lack an absolute enthusiasm for life, and for imparting that to others. She proved herself to be highly gifted in the arts of dance and music, perhaps the most intimate and important artforms there are; the ones that reach deepest into the human soul. She has a gift for using her art to touch others, and through that, make the lives of all of those lucky enough to know and meet her richer. She is truly one of those who work selflessly to make the world a better place for all. בריאות טובה, חיים ארוכים.

• 15.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  We are so lucky to have Shira in our community, her positive influence and love for Jewish music and dance has built a strong and loving foundation for my sons in particular.
  Thanks Shira!

• 13.02.10 Shira "Represents" | Anonymous

  Shira represents Jewish culture well beyond the Jewish community and is deservedly loved by all. My parents were pleasantly surprised to find her and her wonderful group of dancers performing for hundreds of fellow oldsters at their Senior Co-op during their annual "tour" of different countries and cultures. You could not find a better envoy to the wider world than Shira Scwartz.

• 12.02.10 shira schwartz | Anonymous

  I've had the pleasure of performing with Shira in several theatres in MN where her voice and charisma touches audiences, and also we've been teaching together in a number of venues where I watch her draw out students; her work with teens is so important that my family foundation has also supported her work financially. She is constantly finding ways to learn and the way she passes this on through the arts, never flagging over the years, is unique.
  May she grow from strength to srength

• 11.02.10 Dancing with Shira | Anonymous

  Shira Schwartz has been an inspiration, a teacher and a colleague for over twenty years. I learn more about the people she has touched all the time. She is inclusive; supporting students who have little or no dance experience, learning and signing for the deaf, teaching traditional and contempory Israeli dance favorites, attracting a multi-generational group of folk dancers, teaching Hebrew names and lyrics of the dance tunes... We are fortunate to have Shira to dance and sign with.

• 11.02.10 We are so blessed | Anonymous

  We are so blessed to have Shira teaching music and dance at Talmud Torah! Somehow, she creates new and exciting, fun and educational events all the time for our kids to enjoy, participate in, and share with us, so they're learning, praying, and growing while they think they're simply having fun. What a miracle. Thanks, Shira!

• 11.02.10 Shira is a dedicated Israel dance teacher | Anonymous

  She brings her passion to our summer craft camp every year, a group of fifty or so families, most of which would never hear Israeli folk music, much less dance to it if it weren't for Shira!

• 11.02.10 Shira is fabulous | Anonymous

  Shira spreads her appreciation (and the fun!) of Israeli dance to all those around her, regardless of religion. She welcomes non-Jews into the Jewish tradition which increases understanding and tolerance in a society that seems to get more divided every day. She's fun, she's smart, she cares. Shira is fabulous!

• 11.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  Besides being a phenomenal artistic leader in the Jewish community, how many of Shira's admirers know that she is a musical diplomat in a unique inter-faith partnership with a Twin Cities Catholic K-8 school? For the past 8 years, Shira and I have worked together on projects connecting her "Nitzanim" singers/dancers with my similar troupe "Merry Minstrels". These two groups of students have exchanged pen pal letters, visited each other's schools, taught each other songs and dances, presented joint performances, shared food, fun and friendship. Our world needs more endeavors such as this: by being open to each other's differences, we discover all the wonderful things we have in common. Shira, you inspire me!
  Carol Mills

• 10.02.10 Shira's many talents | Anonymous

  Besides all the many wonderful musicals that Shira has created and that have been documented below, she has single-handedly kept recreational Israeli dancing going in the Twin Cities for the last several years. The numbers attending go up and down but Shira is always there with a smile on her face welcoming newcomers and oldtimers alike with boundless energy.

• 10.02.10 Shira is delightful | Anonymous

  Shira is a gifted person.

• 09.02.10 Shira is a master! | Anonymous

  I've known Shira for close to thirty years and am blessed to call her "friend". Her performances are awesome and audiences are captured by her use of Hebrew, Israel and building community!

• 09.02.10 Shira Rocks | Anonymous

  and she's a good dancer, a wonderful instructor and she is a jew who does!!!

• 08.02.10 Shira is wonderful! | Anonymous

  Shira has touched so many people with her generous teaching and love of music and dance. She has supported both adults and children, Jews and non-Jews to embrace and honor Israeli music, dance and passion.

• 08.02.10 A true treasure | Anonymous

  Shira Schwartz is a phenomenally gifted teacher who works from her heart - from her own love for Yiddishkeit and the Jewish people. At the Talmud Torah of St. Paul she has inspired students of all ages (and that means us adults, too) to sing, to dance and find joy in the art forms of our people. Her students at TTSP develop self-confidence and poise from their performance work with her. And they learn that through music, song and dance we enrich each others lives.

• 07.02.10 Shira does it all to make it happen | Anonymous

  I've seen how Shira gives of herself to be sure that she accomplishes her programs throughout the Twin Cities. In doing so, she is a cultural and community asset. For about 6 years at Talmud Torah of St. Paul I coordinated the student productions of musical plays in Hebrew, such as "Oklahoma", "Annie", and "Aladdin". Shira infused her spirit, confidence, and creativity into these productions. Every year people looked forward to these musicals to see the bits of humor or traditional aspect of Judiasm, which Shira would interject in the play. every year. Shira was directing, translating, designing, and choreographing the plays. If no volunteers helped, she also was sewing costumes, creating the sets, with her husband's help, and publicizing the performances. Also, Talumd Torah of St. Paul has an incredible music curriculum, which Shira developed. All students learn to read and play music, not just know about important music. Shira felt it was important to bring different community groups together and to share the Jewish and Israeli heritage. At the school she organizes performances of Talmud Torah's choir with other school choirs. Shira keeps Jewish and Israeli music and dance alive in the Jewish community and the larger community in general. Towards this end, she spends her private time learning new songs and dances. Her Israeli dance group has performed for years at the Twin Cities' International Festival. Through her efforts Shira provides a way for Jews to participate in their heritage and promotes Jewish awareness to the larger, general community.

• 07.02.10 The Magical Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  Shira is a song, a light, an inspiration, a soothing voice, a vibrant dance, a patient love. She instilled in me a love of music, dance, instruments, discovery, tradition, and culture. Almost 20 years after graduating from Talmud Torah, her light still shines in my memory as the essence of my experience there.

• 07.02.10 Shira gives 100% | Anonymous

  Shira has given so much not just to the youth in our community,but also to the adults and elderly.Every Teusday at the St Paul JCC she gives 100% as she teachs Israeli dance to adults,and for years she blessed our elderly with her performances of Israeli dance [both when she was in a preforming group and as the director of the youth group] in the community,nursing homes,and assisted living.Thank you Shira for remembering our elderly! You had such an important part on my choice to be a Jew! Hadassah

• 06.02.10 Shira | Anonymous

  I love what Shira has done and will vote for her every day!

• 05.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  I have taught with Shira for almost 30 years, and I still can't figure out how she does her magic. Shira walks into a gymnasium with 100 kids, ages 4-18, and, in minutes, they are all dancing or singing or acting, and they are all smiling. Just say "Shira" in school, and every kid is suddenly eager to learn, to create, to help others, to experience Judaism in new and wonderful ways. Shira never fails to surprise us with something new, yet her real dedication is to the children and adults and how we learn and grow as Jews and lovers of Israel. If I tried to invent the perfect teacher of music, dance, drama, Hebrew and Jewish culture and love of Israel, I couldn't begin to come up with anyone even close to Shira. In every sense of the word, she makes our school sing. Yosi Gordon

• 05.02.10 Kol Hakavod | Anonymous

  Shira selflessly gives of her gifts and skills to children and adults alike, from the astounding performance of "Joseph" all in Hebrew to weekly Israeli folk dance classes at the St. Paul JCC to her enthusiasm for music that she shares with kids at the Talmud Torah of St. Paul. Her energy is infectious and her optimism sincere. If only we could all achieve even a fraction of what she has done. Kol hakavod, Shira, on truly making this world a better place for being in it.

• 05.02.10 Inspiring | Anonymous

  What an inspiration! So wonderful to see young people getting turned on to Israeli culture and Jewish identity. So many artists are all about themselves. This video is about the community.

• 04.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  Shira's an inspiration to the Twin Cities Jewish community. Her dance choices--lyrical to energetic--are always right for the class, celebration, or performance space. She gives Israeli dance a context
  in Hebrew studies and world music. I voted for her.

• 04.02.10 Way to go Shira. I'm proud to | Anonymous

  Way to go Shira. I'm proud to have been in the same dance group with you,

• 04.02.10 Amazing feats/feets | Anonymous

  I have seen a number of the Talmud Torah performances, the first being Oklahoma in Hebrew done by elementary kids (a truly surreal but delightful experience). She's an amazing person full of more joy and energy than most of us put together.

• 03.02.10 Shira | Anonymous

  OMG. She is so deseving. Imagine herding up to 50 grade school kids in a mucical play that is performed in hebrew. Shira oversaw set design, and the translation. Shira directed, produced, chorographed as well staging, sound and lighting. Shira deserves to be honored in so many ways.

• 03.02.10 Shira at the YMCA | Anonymous

  I have known Shira for about five years as a fellow participant in a dance class at the YMCA. I have truly enjoyed learning the Jewish dances that Shira has brought to us. She has been a great representative of open-hearted Judaism in the Twin Cities to Jews and Gentiles alike. Thanks Shira!

• 03.02.10 Shira!!! | Anonymous

  Shira is bigger than life and her talent never sleeps. She taught my kids at St. Paul Talmud Torah and they performed in her Orim dance group. I have danced with her recreational weekly Israeli dance group. Shira teaches love of Judaism and life with energy and warmth that's contagious. She lights up people and creates Jewish celebration and community. Her innovative projects know no bounds. Have you ever seen Oklahoma! in Hebrew performed by elementary and middle school kids? Shira...you are a joy.

• 02.02.10 Shira as an Elementary Music Teacher | Anonymous

  Shira has created marvelous grade level performances to celebrate life cycle events such as when the Talmud Torah of St. Paul Day School students receive their Torah and begin formal Torah study. The performances bring great joy and strong emotional attachment to the events for the young children and their families. The various performances throughout the elementary school years are some of the touchstones of childhood for many of Shira's students.

  Additionally her Hebrew musicals are performed entirely in hebrew with students in grades 4, 5, and 6!

  Whether these students go on to dance as teenagers or not, Shira's impact on their love of Israel and the variety of Israeli culture creates lifelong knowledgeable and emotional attachments to Israel.

  Using her gifts of song and dance, she creates an enduring connection to Israel.

  SOS

• 02.02.10 Shira Forever | Anonymous

  Great to know you're still following your passion. By the way, you haven't aged a bit since '99. (Jim Waldmann)

• 02.02.10 Shira and the community | Anonymous

  Shira Schwartz is a community treasure. What's more, she has created a cadre of young people who will folow in her footsteps--like this young film maker.

• 02.02.10 Shira and the community | Anonymous

  Shira Schwartz is a community treasure. What's more, she has created a cadre of young people who will folow in her footsteps--like this young film maker.

• 02.02.10 Bravo for Shira | Anonymous

  What an inspiring member of the Jewish community -- thanks for the video

• 02.02.10 Shira Schwartz | Anonymous

  Shira is the very best! There are adults all over the world whose Jewish world was enriched because of their exposure to Shira at the Talmud Torah of St Paul. As a child, my daughter said, "Studying with Shira is such a privilege. It's sort of like being able to study with Beethoven. She is a wonderful teacher because of her passion for Judaism, the Hebrew language, music and dance, her commitment to her own ongoing learning and development and her love of her children and their community. It has been a honor and and education for me personally to work and learn with Shira for all these years.

• 02.02.10 The joy of Israel | Anonymous

  Often we hear about Israel's problems. Shira spreads the beauty of Israel around through dance and song.

• 02.02.10 Jewish Values and Joy and Community | Anonymous

  Thanks for touching our community in such a special way.Your amazing creative talents, hard work ethics, patience with others and your love for people and Judaism shine through all you do.! I don't know anyone who has a bigger heart. Thanks for sharing it with us!!!

• 01.02.10 Inspires life-long Jewish learning | Anonymous

  Shira's love of Judaism is contagious to the literally hundreds of children she teaches and inspires.

• 01.02.10 Ambassador for Israel | Anonymous

  Shira helps create a positive view of Israel among young people and throughout the community. What a treasure!!!

• 01.02.10 Shira | Anonymous

  Shira taught my children music and dance. Because of her influence, they learned to love music and have stage presence. My son became musical director of a Jewish
  a cappella group in college, and also arranged several of their songs - all thanks to Shira's teaching!