of the Beit Ha’am at Moshav Haniel. It was 7.30 pm on a Thursday in March and the stage was set for ESRA Netanya’s first Barn Dance.

Beit Ha’am was decked out with US bunting, red checkered tablecloths and cardboard cut-out cowboys, horses and signposts.

After the tucker of soup, hotdogs and coleslaw washed down with beer, the Caller, Cyrelle Soffer of Jacobs Ladder fame, called everyone together into a large circle. She put the would-be dancers through their paces as she gently introduced the intricate barn dance steps of progressing in a circle, arm right/left, figure of eight, doh-si-doh, and forming a set or reel of four.

The crowd of fifty plus, just out for a good time, were initially sceptical, laughing and unruly, but Cyrelle soon put paid to that and within no time had everyone under her spell as she talked the dancers through her repertoire of Pat-a-Cake Polka, Silly Threesome, St Bernard’s Waltz, Strip the Willow, Canadian Barn Dance and many others.

Those exhausted by the exertion sat at the side drinking and foot tapping, whilst the more energetic continued unabated swirling and sashaying.

Cyrelle was a good judge of the stamina of her audience and after two hours of non-stop dancing, she brought the evening to a close with a short recital on her zither.

The event, organized by the ESRA Netanya Events Committee, led by Gill Cole and comprising Roz ben Ezra, Candy Bliss, Aviva Friedman, Carole Kaye and Barbara Kliner, with the help of their respective husbands, did a sterling job.

As well as being a great night out and an unabashed social success, the event raised over NIS2,500 towards the much needed ESRA Netanya projects.

Story by Stephen Kliner 

Photos by Stephen Kliner & Gill Cole
Top picture shows Cowgals Gill Cole, Candy Bliss, Carole Kaye and Barbara Kliner dressed for the part