Michael Barzilai

Some nights, it seems like half the dances we are doing were choreographed by Michael Barzilai. According to the database at israelidances.com, his body of work consists of 34 dances choreographed between 2015 and 2019. But the search there omitted one of his bigger hits, Mishehu Iti Kan, which he choreographed with Almog Ben Ami. In any event, at least a dozen of Barzilai's dances are popular, which is remarkable in just four years.

In 2015, he introduced La Trompeta, which has proven so popular in the DC area that even though it is challenging it has stuck. He and Ohad Atia also choreographed the line dance Kafe Shachor Chazak.

In 2016, he gave us another line dance, Ad Hamidbar. Also, Haor Min Heharim, which I've seen done, but not at the more popular sessions in the DC area. Inshalla Hashana is a fantastic dance but it is challenging and has not been taught at the popular sessions in the DC area.

In 2017 he came up with Normali, which is his most widely-played dance. Achshav Ani Chozer, Gaagua Baruach, and Anachnu Po also came that year.

In 2018, he choreographed Mishehu Iti Kan with Almog Ben Ami. Also Ana Aref, a very challenging dance that is nonetheless very popular with people who know it. Also Aneni and Smachot.

This year (2019), dances that have found their way into sessions include Bechayai, Dixie (like Trompeta, it is to lively music by Arik Davidoff), Kchi Lach, Ruach Stav, and Yahalomim.

All together, I count 18 dances that I have seen done at sessions. But the quality is even more striking than the quantity. I like all of the above dances (although I cannot claim to be able to do all of them).