March events celebrate women’s strength and resilience

A performance by comedian, actress and singer Sandra Bernhard for a South Florida Jewish organization and a female cantor/rabbi’s performance for a national concert are taking place during March, which is Women’s History Month.

The first event, a virtual national concert called “Adding Their Voices: Women of the Bible” taking place at 2 p.m. on March 7, features Cantor/Rabbi Marsha Dubrow of Boca Raton among the honored performers.

The event honors and features Jewish feminist artists. It is the third in the Adding Our Voices: The Torah of Jewish Women in Song concert series, which documents the growth of Jewish feminist music over the past 50 years and its impact on the content, sound and face of Judaism. AOV is a collaborative effort of Rabbis Goldie Milgram and Geela Rayzel Raphael, and Sarah M. Ross, director of the European Center for Jewish Music, Hannover University in Germany.

Dubrow explained what she hopes people can take away from the performance.

“Finally, the women of the Bible are coming alive through the musical voices of modern-day female composers informed by the feminist awakenings of the last 50 years,” she said. “In the past, little attention has been paid by male composers to some of the important and powerful women in the Torah. These important Biblical figures had been previously invisible or marginalized.”

Dubrow continued, “Through this live national streamed performance, the women of the Bible will be front and center to anyone watching.”

“I will be performing my original composition, ‘Va-Tikach Miryam Ha’Niveah - Miriam’s Song,’ representing the prophet Miriam, sister of Moses and Aaron, singing to the Israelite women who escaped from the shackles of slavery in Egypt having crossed the Sea of Reeds and now celebrating the Israelite’s victory,” she noted.

Dubrow said while the concert’s announced purpose is not specifically for the celebration of Women’s History Month, she feels it is a fitting match.

“What could be a better celebration of the month than a concert about Jewish women of the Bible?,” she noted. “In this way, everyone, both women and men, can be connected to their ancestral mothers. Most of the compositions to be presents were composed by women.”

Dubrow added, “Most of the compositions to be presents were composed by women, and my piece is written for three female parts.”

“I am a rabbi and cantor. Such professional roles only became available to women in the late 20th century,” she said. “I will be performing the piece with two other women clergy like myself, Rabbi/Cantor Sharon Steinberg of Boca Raton and Cantor Anita Schubert of Boynton Beach. I think it is such a fitting way to be celebrating Women’s History Month – three female clergy.”

Visit http://bit.ly/3d3NcpC to register for the concert. Space is limited. For further information and access to recordings, bios, lyrics, and links to the first two concerts, contact Mindy Rosenthal, director of innovative programming at Reclaiming Judaism, at mindyrosenthal@reclaimingjudaism.org.

Bernhard will be the featured guest speaker for the Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Greater Palm Beaches’ virtual cocktail fundraising event, “Faces of Resilience,” taking place from 5-6 p.m. on March 10.

Bernhard will incorporate her brand of humor to talk about the resiliency and strength through a performance .

“Zoom performances can never replace the power of being there with the audience, so it takes an extra dose of energy to tell stories and try to make it compelling and humorous, but I’ve learned how to make it work,” Bernhard said. “I want to entertain, not lecture, or address the obvious, by the nature of who I am and how long I’ve been performing. I think the main message is there, that women can do anything they set their minds to.”

Bernhard explained what it means to her to perform for JWF, especially during Women’s History Month.

“As a Jewish woman, I like to hold up the highest values I was raised with – human dignity, respect for all people and a sense of social justice.”

“The JWF organization is in line with these values and I was honored to be asked to participate in the event,” she continued.

Jennifer Kryshka, CEO of JWF of the Greater Palm Beaches, said, “Faces of Resilience is a celebration of women’s strength throughout history, and particularly through 2020.”

“Proceeds from the event will help JWF’s mission to raise the status of women and girls locally, nationally and in Israel by funding grants, programs and educational events,” Kryshka continued. “The virtual format of ‘Faces of Resilience’ gives our organization the opportunity to connect with women across the globe who are passionate about changing the lives of women and girls and creating a positive impact on gender specific issues in society.”

Visit jwfpalmbeach.org for more information on the event, including registration and sponsorship opportunity.

Contact other local Jewish organizations for other possible events celebrating women during March.