In The Spotlight ...
On Stage And Off

SUZANNE CHESSLER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

S

uperstar

Streisand

Barbra

has been
named honorary chair for
the first-ever Interna-
tional Jewish Women's Research
Institute. It will be located at
Brandeis University and funded
by Hadassah.
The institute will be under the
direction of Shulamit Rein-
hart, Ph.D., professor of soci-
ology and director of the
Women's Studies Program at
Brandeis.
"With this institute, we will
finally learn more about Jewish
women's experiences, aspira-
tions and concerns throughout
the world," said Marlene Post,
national president of Hadassah.
"The research will foster dia-
logue and address those issues
most important to us."
As part of its commitment to
the initiative, Hadassah will
create an endowment to fund its
perpetuity.
The first conference, set for

next April at Brandeis, will
focus on the conflicts between
Jewish families and Jewish
organizations such as issues
of intermarriage within the
context of synagogue life. The
second, scheduled for next
June in Jerusalem, will doc-
ument the roles of women in
founding Israel.

encouragement. Perfor-
mances at a resort in
Jamaica and a coffeehouse
in Birmingham followed.
"I now keep note paper
around my home for the
times when I get ideas for
jokes," Berkowitz said.
"I'm always writing new
material."

The televised event featured
12 finalists modeling award-win-
ning entries in the 1997 Inter-
national Pearl Design Contest
sponsored by the Japan Pearl
Promotion Society and co-spon-
sored by the Ministry of Inter-
national Trade and Industry,
the Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries and the
Japan External Trade Organi-
zation.
Kerman received the fifth-
place award out of 1,403 entries
representing 30 countries. She
designed an 18-karat gold, dia-
mond and pearl brooch in the
botanical motif category.
All winning entries were first
displayed in Tokyo at the be-
ginning of July. The exhibition
will travel to several cities
throughout North America and
will be on display during the
summer months at several jew-
elry shows in the United States.
It returns to Japan for the rest
of the year.
While in Japan, Kerman at-
tended a sculpture workshop at
Kyoto Seika University.

* Birmingham-based celebri-
ty — and sometimes portrait
Et Brenda Berkowitz's
— photographer Linda
next
performance -- all for
Solomon recently had a fea-
free — takes place 7:30
tured segment on Peter Jen-
p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at
nings' ABC news show.
Border's on Orchard Lake
Regularly seen on "Good
near 14 Mile. For^ infor-
Morning America," Solomon
mation, call (248) 624-
showcased a photo essay on
1229.
American — and sometimes
portrait — painter Andrew
Wyeth as he celebrated his
* The Pearl Princess
80th birthday.
Beauty Pageant (the
Besides her TV projects,
equivalent of the Miss
Solomon has taken an
America Pageant) in
interest in promoting
Kobe, Japan, was en-
photography education
hanced by the talents of
among youngsters Linda Solomon: From ABC's "Good Morning America" jewelry designer Staci
and this summer to "World News Tonight."
Kerman, a master of fine
oversees two out-of-
arts candidate at the Uni-
through the experience of peo-
state shopping center
versity of Michigan School of Art
ple performing in comedy clubs
exhibitions of children's
and Design.
Emily Schwartz, a camper
during open mike
pictures.
nights.
In the midst of tak-
Standup comic and
TV personality Dave ing a weight-loss class,
Coulier seems to be Berkowitz thought
growing into a fan of about some of the inci-
blossoming local come- dents there and script-
dienne Brenda Gel- ed them with comic
man Berkowitz, who twists.
"What's better for
is turning a fear of pub-
lic speaking into an en- you," a dieter asks a
nutritionist, "a few
tertainment career.
Berkowitz's new regular Doritos or a lot
sideline was triggered of low-fat Doritos?"
Keeping her new
by a promotion that re-
quired presentations project a secret from
family and friends,
before large crowds.
Berkowitz had been Berkowitz premiered
a social worker for the her standup routine at
Detroit Public Schools Border's just about a
for almost 20 years year ago and found the
when she was made an audience laughing
loud and long.
Barbra Streisand: The singing and acting diva's fans administrator three
At Mark Ridley's
years
ago.
While
re-
recently saw two sides of Babs in The Mirror Has
searching ways to feel Comedy Castle in
Two Faces, and now the outspoken FOB (friend of
Royal Oak, Berkowitz
Bill ... Clinton, that is) has offered her famous punim comfortable in front of
as the honorary chair of the International Jewish
groups, she read about opened for Coulier, Brenda Berkowitz, right, with Dave Coulier, one of the up-and-coming comedienne's many fans.
Women's Research Institute.
success in that area who gave her a lot of