in the fortunate position
of being supported in
their reproductive choices,
the current national
conversation means that
everyone needs to be
vigilant on being informed
on this issue and standing
up for women’s choices.
Levine pointed out that
The Vagina Monologues
was written by a woman,
is being produced by
two women and will be
performed by 20 local
women, featuring a cross
section of the Jewish
community.
“The camaraderie of
reading and listening to
these lines truly brings
together the actors and the
audience,” she said. “We
cannot ever forget those
who suffered, and still
suffer, so that we could
choose our own destiny. I
am so proud of this play
and what it means for
women everywhere.”
For Oakland County
Clerk/Register of Deeds
Lisa Brown, being in the
cast is a full-circle moment.
In 2012, she was a state
representative and was
banned from speaking on
the floor of the House of
Representatives because
she had said the word
vagina in a debate. She then
went on to participate in a
performance of The Vagina
Monologues on the steps
of the Michigan Capital in
Lansing.
“I have been a member
of NCJW for many years
and wholeheartedly
support their mission and
impactful work,” she said.
“Taking part in this play
is meaningful to me as a
call for women to not be
ashamed of, and to exert
control, over their bodies.”
When new NCJW|MI
board member Melissa
Kahn was asked to join the
cast, she didn’t hesitate. “As
a mother of three teenage
children, I do everything
I can to make sure that
reproductive rights are not
taken away and that women
do not live in a world
with diminishing levels of
respect and opportunity.
The Vagina Monologues
presents an opportunity
to reflect on issues and
situations that many shy
away from,” she explained.
“I love that I am
performing with a whole
group of women who
care about these issues as
deeply as I do and who are
committed to declaring it
publicly. There is so much
power to be found in our
shared voices.”
DETAILS
The Vagina Monologues will be performed at
Temple Shir Shalom (3999 Walnut Lake Road,
West Bloomfield) at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 21.
Patron tickets (preferred seating) are $75, general
admission is $36 and student tickets are $18. Good
wishes playbook ads are $18. In addition, audience
members are asked to bring feminine hygiene
products to the performance, which will be donated
to Orchard’s Children’s Services. All proceeds from
the play will support programs and services of
NCJW|MI benefitting women, children and families
since 1891. To purchase tickets, go to www.ncjwmi.
org or call (248) 355-3300, ext. 0.
Matthew Ball
Temple Israel’s
Concert Series
Returns
M
usic lovers rejoice!
Temple Israel’s
Thursday concert
series is back for the 26th
year.
On the third Thursday
of each month at 2 p.m.,
Temple Israel will be hosting
a free-and-open to the pub-
lic concert presented by the
Robert Sosnick Family Life
Center.
The upcoming act is none
other than Matthew Ball,
also known as “The Boogie
Woogie Kid,” on May 18.
Ball is a renowned pianist
and performer known for his
exceptional boogie-woogie
and blues performances. His
energetic and lively playing
style, combined with his
charming personality, is sure
to captivate the audience.
Ball plays American song-
book favorites from New
Orleans and The Swing Era,
such as “In the Mood,” “Let’s
Call the Whole Thing Off,”
“It Had to be You,” “When
the Saints go Marchin In,”
“On the Sunny Side of the
Street” and “Bumble Boogie.”
The concert series prom-
ises to be a delightful after-
noon of music featuring
talented musicians from
various genres, including
jazz, blues and classical. The
series aims to provide a plat-
form for emerging artists to
showcase their talents while
also bringing in established
artists to entertain audiences.
The concert series is being
organized by music enthu-
siasts who are passionate
about bringing high-quality
live music to the community.
Again, the event is open to
all.
Reservations are not nec-
essary, however, if you are
bringing a large group, call
Kari K. Provizer, LMSW,
ACSW at (248) 661-5700
so that the temple can plan
accordingly.
MAY 11 • 2023 | 59