Camp Nirkoda Ba’Kerem 2022

Israeli dance camp and wine tasting adventure

With phenomenal teachers Michael Barzelai and Yaron Elfasy from Israel.

Set in the lush landscape of a private ranch, Nirkoda Ba’Kerem is all about community. Come join your friends — some you’ve known for years, and some you’ve yet to meet — for a fun-filled weekend of nonstop Israeli dancing located at the beautiful Wonder Valley. We’ll enjoy the benefits of California’s famous vineyards by incorporating a wine tasting adventure during the camp! Excellent wine and fantastic Israeli Dancing—what could be better?! Don’t miss it!

Featuring

• Friendly atmosphere that focuses on connection and community
• Learn new dances, attend specialty sessions, dance ’til morning!
• One-of-a-kind wine tasting curated by our camp sommelier
• Gourmet food, with special attention to your dietary needs
• Relaxing setting with beautiful accommodations at various tiers to meet your comfort and cost preferences

Food

The prices include all meals (Thursday dinner to Sunday breakfast) and snacks. Meals are kosher-style (no pork, no mixed meat / milk, no shellfish). The camp can accommodate most dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free). For those requiring certified kosher meals, that can be arranged for a surcharge. Ask the registration team about kosher menus and pricing.

Events

Access to all Israeli dance and other camp activities (games, Shabbat services, etc.) is included.

Accommodations

We also include linens, daily towel exchange, and hotel-like amenities (soap, shampoo). For those in the hotels, there is also a Keurig and mini-fridge.

Wine Tasting

All levels include our signature wine tasting experience. Camp Nirkoda Ba’Kerem’s wine experts have chosen several local vintages for you to sample as our sommelier helps you to identify the subtle flavors of each wine. For those participants who do not drink, we will have a simultaneous fancy non-alcoholic beverage tasting. All dancers have the opportunity to evaluate their favorites and to enjoy the hors d’oeuvres selected for their harmonious pairing with the wines.

Meet the Staff

Yaron Carmel is one of the best-regarded teachers in the Israeli folk dance world! He started dancing at the age of 8, and hasn’t stopped since then. He performed with Dado Kraus’s troupe and danced at sessions led by Meir Shem-Tov, Shuki Terem, and Beber Shushan. Just after completing his military service, he opened his first harkada in 1995 in Karmiel, followed by Mayaan Tzvi and Misgav. Today, he runs five weekly sessions, marthons, special events, and an annual trip to Masada, as well as having been a guest teacher at camps all over the world for more than 20 years!

Chen Blum brings unparalleled energy and impeccable style to the dance floor. Born in Israel, he began folk dancing at age 7, and he danced with Dado Kraus, Shlomo Maman, Yonaton Karmon, and others, but he soon entered the world of professional dance. After high school, he studied with the Contemporary Ballet of Caracas, Venezuela, subsequently performing with the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company and in professional productions, such as the Cameri Theather’s The Producers. Today, he lives in Santiago, where he directs the local folk dance department and Camp Chile Rokedet. He is the choreographer of Ivdu Et Hashem Besimcha, Kol Paamonim, and more.

Latishya Steele returns as our Mistress of the Computer, our Granter of Requests, our Voice Upon the Microphone — in other words, our incomparable DJ. She will keep you on your feet all night long — and well into the morning! Latishya started her dancing career in Boston and Chicago, and she is now one of the Bay Area’s favorite teachers and programmers, with an incredibly deep repertoire and a talent for keeping the party going.

Aaron Alpert is your camp director and host for the weekend. His main job is to ensure that you’re having an awesome time! He’s been teaching, running sessions, and organizing workshops in the Bay Area for 12 years. Along with Latishya, he runs Nirkoda Le’Chayim every Thursday in Palo Alto. Let him know if there’s anything that can make your camp experience better.

Accommodations

Dorm, Basic Hotel, and Deluxe Hotel levels available. To receive the early bird price, you must be paid in full by August 28, 2022. Read more…

Registration

Register

All participants must provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination in order to attend. All dancers will be required to test prior to arrival at camp, either with a PCR test no more than 72 hours before arrival, or a rapid antigen test no more than 24 hours before arrival. You may provide a lab report or photo of your rapid antigen test upon arrival. Read more…

Contact registration@nirkoda.com for answers to any questions.