Strictly Star dances the afternoon away at Jewish Care

Members of Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre put on their dancing shoes and enjoyed a special visit from Strictly Come Dancing star, Pasha Kovalev.

Taking place at the Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Campus in Golders Green, where music and dance is a key part of the programme, members and young volunteers shared their favourite dancing moments and memories with the programme favourite.

They also asked about Pasha’s journey to becoming a dancer, appearing on Strictly, and how he met Rachel Riley.

Talking about the visit, Pasha said, “I absolutely loved coming here and meeting all the people who have such an amazing energy and a passion for dance.

“It was wonderful to have a chance to share experiences and to be surrounded by such an inspiring bunch of people. They are in their 80’s and 90’s and above, but their love for dance is still going strong and untouched by age.”

Maurice Peltz, Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivor Centre member and keen dancer, who danced with His Majesty King Charles last year when he visited JW3, said, “I absolutely loved the afternoon and dancing with Pasha. I actually grew up with dancing. I was 14 years old and during the war, there wasn’t anything to do beside dance, that’s when it became my hobby.”

Maurice continued, “My wife was also a great dancer, but she didn’t dance before she met me. I would take her to the School of Dancing and soon enough we were both entering competitions and shows. I danced in completions in the Royal Albert Hall. Ballroom dancing is my favourite and even though I can’t dance anymore like I used to, I love watching classic ballroom dancing videos on Youtube.”