The 2020s in women’s collegiate gymnastics will hopefully be known as the decade that celebrated personal agency, with a massive influx of athletes choosing to use their floor music to celebrate their culture. The gymnasts who do so are celebrated for bravely rewriting the traditions of the sport—a decision that is consciously reaffirmed with each performance.
For the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, linked below are eight pieces of instrumental music that, whether through the musician, pop culture or region of origin, are intrinsically tied to Jewish traditions. Spanning everything from klezmer music to Eurovision-winning songs, there’s something for everyone’s taste. No matter if you’re a gymnast or armchair choreographer, this list is a fun peek into the process of tying floor music to culture.
Hava Nagila
The article simply wouldn’t be done justice without starting with this music, perhaps the most recognizable piece of Jewish composition. This celebratory song is most often heard at weddings and parties but every so often is used as floor music—most famously by Aly Raisman from 2011 to 2012. Gold medal aside, her Hava Nagila floor routine was made especially meaningful by her dedication to the victims of the Munich Massacre. May their memories…
