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