Israel - Charedi girls in J'lem Learning Classical Music Are Now Able to Earn BAs |
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News Source: Jerusalm Post
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Haredi girls in J’lem learning Classical music are now able to earn BAs and turn their passions into parnassa.Israel - A visit to the Ron Shulamit Music Conservatory in the haredi Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem may not melt away the animosity an anti-haredi feels toward the community, but it will certainly force him to use more than one flashlight when illuminating its largely veiled world. Besides training haredi girls to play and teach classical music and opening the doors for potential careers in the arts or music education, the 15-year-old institution is slowly changing perceptions – that of the girls and their families toward the outside secular world of culture, and also of society’s accepted but tainted view of the haredi world as a backward society where culture is disdained and scorned.
Maybe somewhere, a middle ground exists where the truth lies. And if the Ron Shulamit conservatory is involved, then surely there’s music playing.
“It’s a quiet revolution in the heart of the ultra-Orthodox community of Har Nof, as well as in broader Jerusalem and beyond,” says Shira Barzily, the young, energetic outreach manager of the conservatory, as she leads me into Har Nof’s Beit Ya’acov elementary school, where the conservatory exists after regular school hours.
“So many haredi girls marry young, have many children and support their families, they don’t really have a chance to get in touch with their own special talents within themselves. So I think this gives them the chance to discover themselves, when they don’t really have any other way,” says the modern Orthodox Rina Schieffer, who also conducts the conservatory’s professional women’s orchestra, Zmora.There, some 500 female students, ranging in age from seven through adulthood, immerse themselves in the world of classical music.
For a quiet revolution though, it sure is noisy. The sounds of string instruments being tuned, piano scales being played and accordions meshing in various combinations seep through classrooms in all corners of the old-fashioned school. A look inside any of the rooms will reveal not starchy, mustached egghead musicians, but young, innocent-looking girls in long skirts, long shirts and ponytails.
It’s no secret that you don’t have to be a pure person to create wondrous music – in fact you can be a horrible human being. No need to look any further than Richard Wagner or Ike Turner for examples of that.
Read the full story at The Jerusalem Post 
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Read Comments (39) — Post Yours »
1
Feb 07, 2010 at 06:15 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
It's Assur Gumer to play live music in Yerushalayim! They are playing with FIRE and causing a chilul Hashem...
2
Feb 07, 2010 at 06:23 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
There is no stronger Girou HaYetzer and desruction of the barriors of Tznius than a woman playing an instrument - particularly a violin. This Chilul Hashem must stop immediately.
3
Feb 07, 2010 at 06:33 PM ShatzMatz Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ It's Assur Gumer to play live music in Yerushalayim! They are playing with FIRE and causing a chilul Hashem... ”
Huh?! What issur is there? There is a minhag not to play music by weddings that is about 120 years old. But what is the issur on music in general. Have you been in yerushlayim on Chol Hamoed Succos?
4
Feb 07, 2010 at 06:35 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Kudos. If only they would do the same thing for the boys both there and here in America, we would have a lot less of a problem with off the derech kids.
5
Feb 07, 2010 at 06:39 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ It's Assur Gumer to play live music in Yerushalayim! They are playing with FIRE and causing a chilul Hashem... ”
You are absolutely correct. After the Churban, live music in Jerusalem is chazzer treif. Again we are eating forbidden fruits. We should be embarrassed of ourselves that Klal Yisroel has stooped to a new low. Maybe if we would curb these terrible pirtzehs from our midst we would have less threats from Iran, etc.
6
Feb 07, 2010 at 06:40 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ It's Assur Gumer to play live music in Yerushalayim! They are playing with FIRE and causing a chilul Hashem... ”
It is so not Assur, it is only forbidden for those who accepted the issur, Sepharadim for example do play music in Weddings and Seudot Mitzvah, and practice for that purpose is forbidden. There are many details into when and where it is forbidden.
7
Feb 07, 2010 at 06:45 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Just curious. What kind of "parnassa" can be made from a BA playing classical music. (The whole college diploma thing is way overrated.) This seems more like an outlet, like dancing and painting, than a serious attempt to earn a living.
8
Feb 07, 2010 at 06:47 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ It's Assur Gumer to play live music in Yerushalayim! They are playing with FIRE and causing a chilul Hashem... ”
It's Assur Gumer to play live music in Yerushalayim! They are playing with FIRE and causing a chilul Hashem...”
Its also "assur gumer" to show yourself as a "tipesh gumur" by making such a naresh statement. The Isreali Symphony Orchestra and many other world famous musical ensembles who regularly appear in Yerushalayim.
9
Feb 07, 2010 at 06:48 PM professor Says:Report as Inappropriate
I would like to hear a moderate opinion on this. There are many heterim about aveilus. Is this considered enjoyment, education or umnus? For example, lifeguards have been given a heter to swim in the nine days to keep up their skills. This is definitely not poshut as #1 states.
10
Feb 07, 2010 at 06:59 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
I would think a cello would be worse than a violin!
11
Feb 07, 2010 at 07:04 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Just curious. What kind of "parnassa" can be made from a BA playing classical music. (The whole college diploma thing is way overrated.) This seems more like an outlet, like dancing and painting, than a serious attempt to earn a living. ”
1. Music therapy
2. Entertainment
3. Music Morahs for Gan
4. Music teachers
5. Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12
Feb 07, 2010 at 07:12 PM PMO Says:Report as Inappropriate
Many of these women can go on to become music teachers, and entertain womens and childrens groups. Some people just can't think outside the box.
13
Feb 07, 2010 at 07:15 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I would think a cello would be worse than a violin! ”
Gevaldig!!! You are a real Haw nee chevramon! I hear you loud and clear!
14
Feb 07, 2010 at 07:21 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ You are absolutely correct. After the Churban, live music in Jerusalem is chazzer treif. Again we are eating forbidden fruits. We should be embarrassed of ourselves that Klal Yisroel has stooped to a new low. Maybe if we would curb these terrible pirtzehs from our midst we would have less threats from Iran, etc. ”
"After the Churban, live music in Jerusalem is chazzer treif."
Does the new moon bring out all the am ha'ortzim today or did you start drinking for superbowl party early. If you are right, than some of the greatest gadolim also eat chazzer fleish since they have participated in concerts in Jeruselam many times"
15
Feb 07, 2010 at 07:33 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
While you people are busy poskening amongst yourselves, I hope this school enjoys continued hatzlacha for its endeavors and that many girls find a worthwhile outlet through it.
16
Feb 07, 2010 at 07:41 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
what is the heter to get a collage degree? the gedolim of the last generation were strongly against this abomination.
17
Feb 07, 2010 at 08:17 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Many of these women can go on to become music teachers, and entertain womens and childrens groups. Some people just can't think outside the box. ”
All this is done without conservatory training.
18
Feb 07, 2010 at 08:32 PM Robert Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ what is the heter to get a collage degree? the gedolim of the last generation were strongly against this abomination. ”
i agree
and then who knows if they get a college degree then maybe medical school?
or even worse, people like mr annonymous #16 might stoop to such low levels as actually using "the internet" with all its porn and treif ideas...
19
Feb 07, 2010 at 09:06 PM Cadd9 Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Just curious. What kind of "parnassa" can be made from a BA playing classical music. (The whole college diploma thing is way overrated.) This seems more like an outlet, like dancing and painting, than a serious attempt to earn a living. ”
Music teacher. ( there are schools and colleges that have music programs)
20
Feb 07, 2010 at 09:35 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
There is no stronger Girou HaYetzer and desruction of the barriors of Tznius than a woman playing an instrument - particularly a violin. This Chilul Hashem must stop immediately.
21
Feb 07, 2010 at 09:46 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ There is no stronger Girou HaYetzer and desruction of the barriors of Tznius than a woman playing an instrument - particularly a violin. This Chilul Hashem must stop immediately. ”
Would a kazoo be OK? What about bagpipes? Or maybe the only thing you would allow her to play would be the washboard.
22
Feb 07, 2010 at 09:48 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ what is the heter to get a collage degree? the gedolim of the last generation were strongly against this abomination. ”
and all the gedolim of this generation are against the internet... What are you doing posting here?!?
The internet has a lot more traps than college does...
23
Feb 07, 2010 at 09:51 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Some people here have their halacha confused. It's men listening to women singing that's assur. It's perfectly OK for a woman to sing/play in front of other women, and I don't recollect hearing that it's assur for a man to listen to a woman playing a musical instrument. Being on stage in front of men, or being in a mixed orchestra with men, may or may not be forbidden - that I don't know.
But listen up - it's not the woman playing/singing, it's the men listening. The woman is only chayav on lifnei iver. It's the men that are forbidden to hear the women sing. So grow up, and in the meantime consult a halacha sefer.
24
Feb 07, 2010 at 09:55 PM professor Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ what is the heter to get a collage degree? the gedolim of the last generation were strongly against this abomination. ”
Many of the gedolim of the last generation had degrees!
25
Feb 07, 2010 at 10:00 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ what is the heter to get a collage degree? the gedolim of the last generation were strongly against this abomination. ”
I witnessed a Rebbe playing a guitar for his 5 year old students under the watchful eyes of an alter Mirrer, Chareidi, Gadol in Yerushalayim about 18 years ago. The issur is not as clear cut as some present it.
26
Feb 07, 2010 at 10:17 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Mechtig. So now there's a new venue for parnass--music teachers.
27
Feb 07, 2010 at 10:18 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
somebody please explain to me what is not tzniusdig about playing the violin....
28
Feb 07, 2010 at 10:45 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
It's Assur Gumer to play live music in Yerushalayim! They are playing with FIRE and causing a chilul Hashem...
29
Feb 07, 2010 at 10:46 PM LI bubby Says:Report as Inappropriate
I understand the issur of music in Jerusalem, however, Har Nof is not part of the "original Jerusalem" that is why there are wedding halls right outside the entrance to Har Nof.
30
Feb 07, 2010 at 10:52 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
When bnai yisroel came out of mitzrayim didn't the women play instruments, by
Oz yashir?
32
Feb 08, 2010 at 12:14 AM esther Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ There is no stronger Girou HaYetzer and desruction of the barriors of Tznius than a woman playing an instrument - particularly a violin. This Chilul Hashem must stop immediately. ”
WHERE did you get that from!? i know many women,chasidish and litvish,who took music lessons when they wee girls.
33
Feb 08, 2010 at 02:04 AM Masmid Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ what is the heter to get a collage degree? the gedolim of the last generation were strongly against this abomination. ”
Rav Hutner z'ls daughter has a phd. Easliy found online. Which of course is also Assur. So why are you using the internet?
34
Feb 08, 2010 at 02:53 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
"may not melt away the animosity an anti-haredi feels toward the community,"
"and also of society’s accepted but tainted view of the haredi world as a backward society where culture is disdained and scorned"
"It’s no secret that you don’t have to be a pure person to create wondrous music – in fact you can be a horrible human being."
What kind of person wrote this article? What point exactly is he trying to make? They are not the first chareidi music school where it is possible to get a BA (Try the Beis Yaakov Hayashan for example!!) Its a beautiful oppurtunity and idea - why use it to bash chareidim as usual??
35
Feb 08, 2010 at 04:11 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
perhaps this is just a way for girls to have fun in a safe environment, this is not any different than a painting class, or dance class that hundreds if not thousands of girls have taken over the years
36
Feb 08, 2010 at 09:59 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
"Mitzva Gedolah Lehiyos Besimcha" If music makes you happy then what's wrong?
37
Feb 08, 2010 at 12:34 PM yeapb Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Would a kazoo be OK? What about bagpipes? Or maybe the only thing you would allow her to play would be the washboard. ”
Thanks for answering for me!!
38
Feb 08, 2010 at 03:56 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
rebbe nachman says that one should do anything withing the bounds of halacha to make oneself happy
39
Feb 08, 2010 at 04:06 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ It's Assur Gumer to play live music in Yerushalayim! They are playing with FIRE and causing a chilul Hashem... ”
Please explain to a non-Jew how it is possible for a woman to play music a sin? This is absurd.
40
Feb 08, 2010 at 04:17 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Just curious. What kind of "parnassa" can be made from a BA playing classical music. (The whole college diploma thing is way overrated.) This seems more like an outlet, like dancing and painting, than a serious attempt to earn a living. ”
If the whole college thing is so overrated, then why not go to a Doctor or lawyer or accountant who never stepped foot in college. Only an ingnoramous would make such a blanket statement condeming higher education.