February 1st Link Roundup
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"I'm an opera singer and often I've heard people saying to me: you can't sing. Correction: I can sing. Men can't listen to me. There's an Israeli singer who made tshuva and on TV, once, she said she was about to sing and she invited men to leave before she started to sing." ~ Quoted from a fan on our JWA Facebook page.
What are your views, readers, on the issue of tznius (modesty) in regards to Orthodox women who are prohibited from singing in the company of men? This rule has received a great deal of criticism when Ophir Ben-Shetreet, a 17-year-old who attends a religious girls' high school performed on the Israeli show, "The Voice," and consequently was suspended from school, which her parents did not protest. Is this a shunda? Who really should be ashamed? What do you think?
Baby Barrymore is going to be raised Jewish! Mazel Tov!
“It’s a beautiful faith, and I am so honored to be around it. It's so family-oriented, I learn so much and the stories are beautiful. It’s incredibly enlightening; I'm really happy.” ~ Drew Barrymore
The Chosen One tells all about her experience attending the infamous Craigslist Shabbat. Clever? Insulting? Or just plain hilarious? What say you, readers?
Pottery Barn now offers a seder plate... with an orange!
On a related note, read David Levy's piece on Foregrounding Women at your seder.
"A woman belongs in the Rabbinate like an orange belongs on the seder plate." True that! Check out Rabba Sara Hurwitz, the first woman modern Orthodox Rabbi.
And in the spirit of freedom and to remind us to be more conscientious consumers, add an apple.
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Dear Jeff,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. This world needs more men like you!
Warmly, Gabrielle
I think since the inception of organized religion, menfolk have taken special care to take a lead on every thing, right from ceremonies, clergy and on all the matters of religious importance. It gives me great pleasure to see Rabba Sara Hurwitz creating a history of sorts by being the first woman modern orthodox Rabbi ever. I hopes this starts a trend, where more and more women join the clergy. I think other religions can also follow this example, if they haven't done so already.
Today woman are breaking all the boundaries and taboos and standing shoulder to shoulder with men.