The Misgav Dance Troupe returned this past week from a successful series of performances at the "Carmel" Festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The "Carmel" Festival is the largest Jewish dance festival outside of Israel. Jewish dance troupes from throughout South America come to participate in the annual event. This year the festival hosted some 3,600 dancers from Jewish Communities from throughout the continent.

The Misgav Dance Troupe was the only dance troupe to make the long journey from Israel after being selected by the festival's organizers during their 2005 visit to Israel. They were selected from among the various dance troupes that participated in the 2005 Karmiel Dance Festival.

The troupe received numerous compliments and crowned the highlight of the festival. The Misgav troupe, managed by Einat Goren, is composed of students from grades 10-12 from the Misgav Regional High School and operates within the framework of the Misgav Community Center Dance Studio.  According to Deganit Rom, the group's artistic director and choreographer, their repertoire is composed of characteristic Israeli choreographies that include ethnic touches of Debka, Hasidic dance and others, along with humoristic dances with unique props that have a graceful sparkle and speak to audiences of all ages.

Upon their return from Brazil, Deganit said, "it is difficult to imagine how all of the 'Carmel' Festival participants danced Israel folk dances, knew all of the most popular, up to date Israeli songs along with classics from throughout the years, and all of the troupes demonstrated excellent skills and talent. Like music, dance is a successful tool for building bridges that reach as far as distant Brazil."

The young people, members of the dance troupe, told of the pride they felt as Israelis and Jews, cultural ambassadors representing the State of Israel and in particular, the Misgav region. They established fantastic relations with members of other dance troupes from throughout South America, who broke down in tears when it came time to say goodbye to their new Israeli friends.

According to Liat Belcar, Executive Director of the Misgav Community Center, the Jewish Agency was instrumental in contributing and assisting the members of the dance troupe and their families in covering the high cost of the trip and aided in funding accompanying staff members, representative and suitable to a 40-member dance troupe.