Yiddish Ecstatic Dance with DJ Chaia
Monday, June 10, 2025
6:15 PM – 8:45 PM
MaTovu is thrilled to welcome Chaia for a very special Ecstatic Dance centered on traditional Yiddish music adapted to modern dance rhythms. Yiddish music is the traditional and ancestral music of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish communities and is most often seen in the form of klezmer music.
We’ll begin the night with an opening movement workshop with instruction in simple Yiddish dances. After warming up with the music and movement, DJ Chaia will take us on a dance journey melding ancestral Jewish tradition with modern beats.
This is a radically inclusive event. No prior experience of any kind—dance, Judaism, Yiddish, or otherwise—is required. Just bring an open heart and mind.
About the artist: Chaia (pronounced “hi-ya” with a bit more phlegm in the H) is a DJ and music producer based in NYC who combines Yiddish archival samples and dance music vibes to create folkloric music that grooves to a modern beat. She has performed at Jewish cultural spaces worldwide and was named one of Jewish Week’s 36 to Watch in 2024. More about her work at chaia.online.
What is Ecstatic Dance?
Ecstatic Dance is a free-form movement gathering with live DJ music. It’s open to all, and no dance experience is required. There are three simple rules:
No shoes
No alcohol/drugs
No talking on the dance floor
Sliding scale: $10–$40
Schedule:
6:15 PM – Doors Open
6:30 PM – Movement Workshop
7:00 PM – Opening Circle
8:30 PM – Closing Meditation
8:45 PM – Good night!
FAQ highlights:
No prior dance experience needed.
It’s okay to sit or rest at any time.
Wear something comfortable; no shoes on the dance floor.
You don’t need a partner—most people dance solo.
Open to everyone regardless of background.
COVID vaccinations not required, but boosters and masks encouraged.