Overview

In My Own Voice tells the trailblazing story of Barbara Ostfeld, the first woman ordained as a cantor. As a schoolgirl, Barbara loved singing loudly and with spirit, but she was mocked for her singing by her classmates. This didn't happen when she sang in her synagogue's children's choir, and Barbara reveled in her freedom to sing choir solos at Temple services. When it was time for her to apply to colleges, Barbara asked her cantor what seminary he had attended, explaining that she wanted to become a synagogue cantor. He laughed at her, telling her not to apply, and saying that the seminary would not accept her because she was a girl. And even when the seminary's registrar told her that no girl ever had even applied for admission, Barbara applied anyway, and was admitted. But when she entered her first chorus class at college, the teacher said, ""There are no women's parts, so just mouth the words."" Yet Barbara persisted in finding her own voice at the seminary, and in 1975, became the first woman ordained as a cantor in 3,000 years of Jewish history; today, female cantors sing in hundreds of synagogues around the world.

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9780998032658

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Reviews

""This book is a powerful invitation for every girl who was told she was too loud, too bossy, or that she could not or should not follow her passion. The story of the first female cantor, Barbara Ostfeld, is sure to inspire another generation of young people to find their voice. With beautiful illustrations to accompany the moving text, this triumphant story will leave you cheering."" - Rabbi Angela W. Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi, Central Synagogue (New York). ""Music is magic, according to the pages of In My Own Voice, a biography of the first female cantor, Barbara Ostfeld-and so, too, is this magical, coming-of-age story. The readable narrative and delightful illustrations capture the spirit of a Jewish girl finding her voice in the face of gender discrimination from both peers and teachers."" - Rabbi Carole B. Balin, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Jewish history, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. ""Rabbi Sandy Sasso has provided us, once again, with a delightful children's book that will inspire boys and girls to pursue pioneering aspirations despite convention and mindless traditionalism. Young readers will see themselves in Sasso's entertaining story of how Barbara Ostfeld, a young American girl, transformed her dream of becoming the first female cantor in Jewish history into reality."" - Dr. Gary P. Zola, Executive Director Emeritus, Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives & Edward M. Ackerman Family Distinguished Professor of the American Jewish Experience, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. ""A story where dreams can come true! When faced with a "" no,"" ask "" why not?"" Bringing her soulful singing to the bimah and changing the cantorate, Cantor Barbara Ostfeld inspires and encourages us to sing out loud with joy!"" - Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray, fourth generation cantor, second woman to serve a Conservative congregation, founder and past president of the Women Cantors' Network.

Author Information

Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso is the author of The Shema in the Mezuzah (National Jewish Book Award), and Regina Persisted: An Untold Story, as well as of Judy Led the Way, God's Paintbrush, Sally Opened Doors, and many other children's books. Her latest books are I Am Not Afraid: Psalm 23 for Bedtime and Miriam's Dancing Shoes. She is Senior Rabbi Emerita at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck in Indianapolis, founder of the Religion, Spirituality, and the Arts Initiative at Indiana University at Indianapolis, Herron School of Art and Design, and cofounder of Women4Change Indiana. She lives in Indianapolis. Chloe Greenberg is a book illustrator and collage artist, based in Cincinnati. After her college career at Herron School of Art and Design, she became the illustrator of author Kati Hirschy's My Autistic Mama, a children's book that presents a positive image of autistic traits. Chloe's illustrations draw inspiration from her background as a musician and songwriter, and aim to visually represent music with expressive textures, intentional colors, and flowing compositions. When she isn't making art, you may find Chloe birdwatching at her local park, going to concerts with friends, or watching movies.

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