Wera Goldman was born in Vienna into an artistic family.When she was 4 years old, she was already the pupil of the great austrian Ballerina (Prof.) Riki Raab. Fleeing from the Nazi Regime, Wera immigrated into (the then) Palastine; after a short time in a pioneer kibbuz group, she found her master and mentor in Gertrud Kraus, who was active in Israel as dancer and choreographer (Israelic Opera Company). Soon the young dancer was drawn to ethnic dance forms: partcipating in family- festivities, Wera learnt steps- and bodystyles first hand. Later, in Australia, she studied dances from the Pacific area, from the Phillipines and from Indonesia. Eager for Indian Dance, she spent 4 years (in the 70´s) travelling and learning , at different academies and with private teachers in various Indian states. Since her return to Israel in the 80´s she has been teaching mainly Indian and Oriental dance and performed with her dance group throughout Israel. Wera worked in an orphanage in Kerala (S. India), danced for the Autralian Aborigines and presented a Jemenite Candle Dance for the opening of Sydney´s famous opera house. On the occasion of the remarkable lecture and performance series "Wiener Tanz im Exil", Wera Goldman had been
invited to visit her birthtown for the first time in 60 years in November 1998. She performed in the Jewish Museum and was honoured for her artistic achievements by the City of Vienna. Wera is happiest when dancing for people without stage or convention, improvising freely.