[HANASHIR:8618] Re: Kol Isha becomes a reality

[Robbi Sherwin <sherwin...>]

on 3/25/01 1:35 PM, shirona at shirona (at) bellatlantic(dot)net wrote:

I have to share this dose of reality...  it finally happened to me.

Robbi reponds: 
And I have a story, as well.  Last week I was in Boston, where Jon Nelson
(Yom Hadash) and I were to meet with a woman and a rabbi to organize a
Jewish music festival for the area.  Jon  had been in contact with both, but
had not yet met them. As Jon and I pulled up to the Shalem House, I realized
that it was a Lubavitch organization.  Happy that I was wearing a long skirt
and turtleneck sweater (in other words, I was dressed appropriately for
entering the shul) I met the warm Lubavitch Rabbi and the lovely woman who
was their programming director.  We quickly brought up the elephant in the
room and I asked about Kol Isha. He was more concerned that I would be
singing with Yom Hadash (which I would have been) then singing on my own,
where a Kol Isha warning could have been issued and those who adhered to it
would have not come to my set.  There would be other activities (arts &
crafts, vendors) at the same time, so men could choose to do those things
during my set.  

After some brainstorming, we decided to make it a community-wide event, (It
just grew to be about 10 times bigger with this idea) which would include me
as a participant, (and co-producer) and let everyone know that "Robbi" is a
female (I'm either male or a Rabbi - the two most common errors with my
name...I got draft notices in high school...)  "Our men can police
themselves" was this Rabbi's comment - "you obviously have a lot to share."
"And a lot to sing about," I answered.

I won't be singing with Yom Hadash - (but they can play backup for me) We
have other opportunities and I'd rather participate than not.

So, Shalom Bayit - I still get to play,  those who can hear me will, those
who can't won't.  It's not the same as losing the gig as you did, little
sister, but it's nice to know that people with good hearts and sechel can
work things out.

Love, Robbi
in Austin