Re: Kol Isha

[robert wiener <wiener...>]

I think that Basya's post is wonderful.  It's clear that the principle of Kol 
Isha does not prevent Orthodox girls (and, I hope, women) from singing together 
loudly and clearly.  It is the men who are deprived of the opportunity to hear 
Kol Basya.  

Perhaps, then, Orthodox men should be at the forefront of a grassroots movement 
to encourage a reconsideration of this halakhic principle.  (And maybe that 
would help them to sing better themselves.)

Bob
    -----Original Message-----
    From: Basya Schechter <basya (at) ultinet(dot)net>
    To: World music from a Jewish slant <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
    Date: Friday, March 10, 2000 12:38 PM
    Subject: Pharaoh's Daughter notice & Kol Isha..)
    
    
    Hi everybody, 
     
    Here's a notice for a very KOL ISHA show and thoughts on the discussion, 
which has been very interesting for me.  First the show:
     
    1.Pharaoh's Daughter performs at the   "NEW VOICES FROM ISRAEL" series
    Makor (35W. 67th Street)
    TUESDAY, March 14th  - 9:30pm 
    (basya-oud/guitar/vocals, tracey-flute/krumhorn/vocals, jen-tabla, 
martha-cello/vocals, benoir-electric guitar, seido-balkan and middle eastern 
percussion, w/guest matt-tapan - (Debra Nussbaum in an article for the Jewish 
Telegraphic Agency describes the band:) 
    Schechter of Pharaoh's Duaghter's music, "borrows echoes from the 
prayer-filled cadences of her youth as a fervently Orthodox girl in the haredi 
world of Borough Park, Brooklyn, weaves them with Middle Eastern syncopation 
and ties it all in with her hip New York chick's ironic sensibility to create 
something totally original."

    2.At 8:00 pm Victoria Hana, (israeli singer, quoted as one of most unique 
creators in vocal performance) is performing "Tzach Vaadom" (Pure and Red) with 
Frank London (an exploration of ancient text with modern & sacred melodies)
     $12 for both shows
     
     
    Now some thoughts on Kol Isha, (I am a little nervous to speak out, but 
hear goes.)
    I've noticed lately that there's a growing group of Orthodox, that grapple 
with all these Halachas, which proves that things are changing and being 
reexplored, but slowly and only in certain areas. But there is  community, it's 
very much the same as ever.  I'm going home for Shabbos in Monsey, my little 
sisters sing the same songs I did, ( a few new ones) and we are all going to 
sing the same zemiros, and keep the same laws the same way I did growing up.  
    Despite the fact that we don't see what's happening artistically with 
Orthodox women, I can say from experience, that until the age 18 (i don't know 
much about the community after that) girls are creating fantastic music and 
art.  Most of my initial source of inspiration comes from having sung in these 
massive groups of girls, who have a whole repertoire of music (liturgical and 
spiritual) that have been passed down generation to generation, with 
unbelievable harmonies, and interpretations and inflections.  They love love 
love music and singing, and drama and art, and have festivals, and productions 
within the community and schools.  
    A lot of times once women get married and have children shortly after high 
school or seminary, the creativity gets channeled into child rearing and house 
building which is part of the routine, some continue to create music and put on 
concerts for women only but there's a certain set of styles, that are 
comfortable with and are used to in their listening vocabulary.
     
    I know that it seems like having a concert for women only would be buckling 
to the establishment; but in doing so it's like punishing who is called  
"repressed" (i'm confused about wether i think they are actually repressed) 
even further, like saying, ok, the men repress you by not allowing your voices 
to be heard, now let us the women repress you for them not letting women be 
heard.  I think women who only could go to women only concerts would be 
appreciate the music so much, and would be inspired and infused with so much 
new spirt, and liberation, it would be a gift and would actually probably work 
better as a catalyst for change from the inside than boycotting them.  And for 
that reason alone it would be worth it to have them have the opportunity to 
listen.  I myself would love to go back to Boro Park and put on a few concerts 
for women.