RE: Fw: Kol Isha

[David & Susan Esterman <estermans...>]

Well, I followed this with much interest.
Here's my personal experience of this weird rule:
At a Jewish Women's conference held here a couple of years ago, at the
closing dinner to which partners were invited and came in droves, my (male)
rabbi was asked to lead Birkat Hamazon.
 He decided that it would be more appropriate if I did this, and asked me.
He pointed out that the rabbi of the local orthodox congregation would be
attending the dinner. I decided that I could cope, and in reality although I
began the Birkat, everyone joined in - well almost everyone. Apparently the
young orthodox rabbi had to be physically restrained from leaving

. I must point out that I did NOT want to upset anyone but the whole point
of this women's conference was surely pointing out the role of women as
leaders of the community in all areas. (It was organised by a joint
committee of Orthodox and Progressive women who all knew what my Rabbi had
organised, since he had the forethought to advise them. None of them had a
problem!)

The aftermath was that several people (apparently) stopped speaking to me
for a time, and instead abused me behind my back. Not one person who
complained had the guts to do so to me, or to my rabbi.  Lashon hara had a
field day, and I didn't really know until some thoughtful person told me a
few months later.

So my nickel is with Shirona and Wolf.

Sue in NZ
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org
[mailto:owner-jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org]On Behalf Of Kame'a Media
Sent: Sunday, 18 February 2001 11:41 a.m.
To: World music from a Jewish slant
Subject: Re: Fw: Kol Isha

Hi Shirona:

As a relative new-comer to the List, you probably missed the heated Kol
Isha discussion
of yesteryear.  Much to my surprise, only a couple of women at the time
felt enough outrage to comment!  Some men chimed in with the "Law" of it
all and how the Law can only be changed through proper procedure by the
proper authorities over time.  (Snore).
Talk about the fox guarding the henhouse...

Musicians, male and female, wrote to say that we must respect
everybody's point of view and besides, =parnose is parnose=.  One guy,
believe it or not, whose own wife was in the band, told of leaving her
at home when the client demanded it.  He was incapable of grasping
the concept that his acquiesence and complicity was/is akin to "not
bringing the Black guy..."

 These are the same people, who always claim the moral high ground and
are quick to vomit up stock verbiage about "modesty," "decency" and
"family values."

"Unpopular" views on this List do have their consequences.  People will
judge, characterize
and demonize you for them.  I speak from experience.  I could give a
=shtshure's tukhes=.

Remember too, that hardly anybody wants to talk about anything
"controversial" and actually use this global forum to effect change.
Most folks want to keep it to cataloguing records/music, database
information and  news/concert announcements.  People have actually
written me privately to congratulate me on my "courage" for having said
openly what I happen to think!

As for the rabbi who started this insult and outrage against women:  I
believe he lived in the 10th century. There is no evidence of either his
mental health or sexual hangups or if he had any kind of sexual
awareness at all. The story goes that  he was "distracted" from his
prayers by the sound of a woman singing.  Tough; he should have closed
the shutters instead of bringing his petulant and thoughtless whims to
bear upon generations of Jewish people.

The consequences for women have, of course, been devastating.  But,
this  would lead to a greater discussion than I am prepared to go into
here  (On my way to Williamstown, MA to see the always-exciting
Klezmatics).

I would suggest boycotting events, venues and performers who are
complicit in these reprehensible "Taliban" practices.

To the men who are aroused by a woman singing,  you know what you can
do.
Or you can take a cold shower.

Then contact me.  I'd travel to hear such a singer.

You are fighting the good fight, Shirona.
As far as God is concerned, I believe She is on your side.

Keep it up.

Wolf

shirona wrote:

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