Hora Yerushalayim

Hora Yerushalayim (Hebrew: הורה ירושלים) is a dance company and school based in Jerusalem, Israel. Founded in 1961 by lawyer Haim Bernzon together with six pairs of students, it has grown into a municipal non-profit association (amuta) operating under the Jerusalem Municipality's Arts Department and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Sport. The organization runs four representative dance troupes — Afruchim (Chicks), Nearim (Youth), the Adult Company, and HaRishonim (The First Ones) — along with approximately 40 dance groups in branches across Jerusalem and various training tracks. Its repertoire includes Israeli folklore, ethnic and minority dances, and contemporary and modern styles, as well as hip-hop, flamenco, belly dance, ballet, and Zumba. The troupes represent the city of Jerusalem and the State of Israel at festivals and official ceremonies in Israel and abroad. The school is headquartered at the Offran Dance Center in Emek HaMatzleva, a 900-square-meter building constructed with a donation from David Offran through the New Fund for Jerusalem. Hora Yerushalayim also organizes the annual HaRishonim Festival for dancers aged 35 and over, and has performed at the official torch-lighting ceremony on Mount Herzl multiple times. Over its six decades, it has trained many dancers who went on to professional careers, including members of the Batsheva Dance Company and the Batsheva Ensemble.

Hora Yerushalayim was founded in 1961 by lawyer Haim Bernzon, then a law student, together with six pairs of students. Initially operating as an Ottoman-style association, it later came under the Jerusalem Municipality's Arts Department. In 1997 it was registered as a formal non-profit association (amuta) operating under the municipality. The company's original home was the Rina Nikova House in Jerusalem, and in 2007 it moved to the Offran Dance Center in Emek HaMatzleva, a 900-square-meter building constructed with a donation from David Offran through the New Fund for Jerusalem. Over the years, the organization expanded: the youth troupe was opened, and in 1975 Bracha Dudai established the Afruchim (Chicks) troupe, one of the first children's dance companies in Israel. In 2000, three branches of Israeli dance were established on the initiative of Alex Sela in East Talpiot, Kiryat Yovel, and Pisgat Ze'ev. Since then, additional branches were opened in Beit HaKerem, Ein Harim, Givat Ze'ev, Har Adar, Tzur Hadassah, Givat Masua, and the Zionist Youth Farm in Jerusalem, as well as in several schools. Alongside the dance troupes, Hora also had an orchestra and a singing group for many years. The singing group, founded and managed by Yossi Davara and Eli Matityahu, operated until the 2000s and was revived in 2013 by Adi Chait for several years. The orchestra was managed by Zvi Leder, with Emil Aybinder and Boris Katz serving as artistic directors and arrangers. Since its registration as an association in 1997 until 2022, it was chaired by lawyer Yair Green. Currently, Yamit Yoeli Ella serves as chairperson. Over its 60 years, Hora Yerushalayim has worked with many choreographers and has performed at official state ceremonies, including the torch-lighting ceremony on Mount Herzl multiple times. It has represented Israel at international events such as the 1979 Eurovision in Jerusalem, Expo in Canada (1998), Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow (2003), Carnegie Hall (2003), Expo Shanghai (2010), and others. The company also organizes the annual HaRishonim Festival for dancers aged 35 and over, which since 2015 has included the Shlomo Haziz Choreography Competition.

• 2023

  During the Iron Swords War, a dance installation is performed at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv.

• 2022

  Yair Green ends his tenure as chairman after serving since 1997; Yamit Yoeli Ella becomes chairperson.

• 2015

  Shlomo Haziz Choreography Competition established as part of the HaRishonim Festival.

• 2010

  Represents Israel at Expo Shanghai with David D'Or.

• 2007

  Moves to the Offran Dance Center in Emek HaMatzleva.

• 2000

  Three branches of Israeli dance established in East Talpiot, Kiryat Yovel, and Pisgat Ze'ev.

• 1997

  Registered as a formal non-profit association (amuta) under the Jerusalem Municipality.

• 1979

  Hora Afruchim performs at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Jerusalem.

• 1975

  Bracha Dudai establishes the Afruchim (Chicks) troupe, one of the first children's dance companies in Israel.

• 1961

  Hora Yerushalayim founded by Haim Bernzon with six pairs of students.

Jerusalem's official representative dance company and municipal dance school, combining artistic excellence with educational values.

• Afruchim (Chicks) troupe

  Children's representative dance troupe.

• Nearim (Youth) troupe

  Youth representative dance troupe.

• Adult Company

  Adult representative dance troupe.

• HaRishonim (The First Ones) troupe

  Troupe for dancers aged 35 and over.

• Dance school classes

  Classes in flamenco, oriental dance, classical ballet, Zumba, hip-hop, and more.

• HaRishonim Festival

  Annual multi-day festival for Israeli dance companies aged 35 and over.

1. 1הורה ירושלים – הורה ירושליםhorajerusalem.org
2. 2אודות – הורה ירושליםhorajerusalem.org
3. 3הצוות – הורה ירושליםhorajerusalem.org
4. 4Hora Yerushamayimwikidata.org
5. 5הורה ירושליםhe.wikipedia.org