Fashion show to spotlight famous women in Jewish history
By: Betty Nelander
Palm Beach Daily News
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Miriam, Moses’ sister, is one of the characters in the upcoming Jewish Fashion Show at The Colony. |
Women Through the Ages Fashion Show Wednesday at The Colony.
The show is presented by The Jewish Women’s Circle of Palm Beach, a project of Chabad of Northern Palm Beach Island.
“This year, we have added a new theatrical dimension so that the characters are not just wearing the clothing of the Jewish heroine they will portray — Sarah our Matriarch, Miriam the Prophetess — but are also performing,” said Rebbetzin Hindel Levitin. “The models are a local cast of Jewish women who are talented in drama, singing and dancing.”
Children ages 3 to 5 will portray the Jewish women of the future. “It’s only through the education of our children that we create a future for the Jewish people,” Levitin said.
Miriam Hurwitz of Florida and New York will bring glamorous vintage garb, makeup and scripts for the 10 roles, thanks to her show Jewish Women Through the Ages, which she offers to Chabad worldwide.
“It’s a way of reaching out to Jewish women and Jewish pride. It’s Broadway. The costumes are beautiful and it’s a beautiful show,” Hurwitz said of her “labor of love.”
The intricate costumes are based on careful research and feature lightweight fabrics to create a layered effect, from tunics to loose woolen robes to a sleeveless overcoat. Some are bejeweled.
“We try to convey pride in being a Jewish woman, modesty and being the basis of the home,” Hurwitz said. “It’s incumbent upon women to build the home. At the same time, these women had a tremendous effect on Jewish history.”
The Chabad show will include characters ranging from biblical times, including Moses’ older sister Miriam, who helped lead Jewish women out of Egypt using tambourines and dance after the Red Sea parted. “Miriam encouraged all the Jewish women of her generation not to lose faith and hope. She is the symbol of faith in the middle of crisis,” Levitin said. “The [enslaved] women so fully believed they would be redeemed they held onto the tambourines for celebration.”
Other heroines and their themes will include Ruth the Convert (choice), Devorah the Judge and Prophetess (leadership); Queen Esther ( loyalty); Dona Gracia the Marranos heroine (dedication in the era of Spanish Inquisition); Sulekha (sacrifice); Yemenite Bride (tradition); and Mariasha (defiance).
"The show is a reminder that as Jewish women, we are the center for Jewish life in our homes. When we are not home, it is a cold and empty place with no soul. We, therefore, pass the knowledge of our Jewish heritage on to the next generation, and to friends and family," said Levitin.
The show will begin at 7:30 p.m., preceded by a dessert reception and auction prizes at 7 p.m.
For tickets, call 659-3884, see palmbeachjewish.com/show or email [email protected].