Feb 6, 2019
2 Rabbis Slam Women's MicDrop
Crown Heights Rabbis Avrohom Osdoba and Shloime Segal prohibited attendance at the upcoming "MicDrop - Wonder Woman" talks.
By COLlive reporter
Crown Heights Rabbis Avrohom Osdoba and Shloime Segal are discouraging the public from attending the upcoming spoken word event, "Wonder Woman - Series of Stories from the Superherione Next Door."
Organized as part of the MicDrop with Rosh Lowe, it typically features non-professional speakers who share a personal or impactful speech, inspiring their audience. Members of the audience later vote on their favorite speech.
The Wonder Woman events will feature 12 women who attended a preparation workshop with Rosh Lowe, a former TV news reporter who founded the MicDrop training and speaking service.
The event, "Wonder Woman - Series of Stories from the Superherione Next Door," is scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 7th and Saturday, February 9th, at the Ailey Citigroup Theatre at 405 West 55th Street in Manhattan.
But in a public letter, the two rabbis stated: "We have found that this event involves numerous halachic prohibitions, such as mixed seating, women presenting in front of men, the sharing of personal matters in public, and more."
They added that the "spirit of the event is alien for frum Jews, and how much more for Lubavitcher chassidim."
The letter comes despite the common practice of women publicly speaking to crowds of both men and women at numerous Chabad Houses and Chabad organizational events.
Public speakers Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis inspired audiences with her tale of survival and faith during the Holocaust, while Shlucha Rivka Slonim lectures internationally on Jewish observance and contemporary life.
The slate of teachers and lecturers at Judaism's largest websites, such as Chabad.org and TorahCafe.com, feature both male and female experts in their fields, and Chabad Shluchos have long been addressing their communities and Shabbatons in Crown Heights, and the National Jewish Retreat of the JLI institute.
While MicDrop events and workshops have been garnering attention, they must be seen and experienced to fully appreciate its impact on both participants and audience members, Rosh Lowe told COLlive.com.
"MicDrop was started with the intention of helping people find their voice," said Lowe, who spent seventeen years as a television news reporter and saw first hand the power of story telling as a means for connection.
"The ability to communicate is fundamental in creating an environment where people feel like they are not alone in their struggles. In fact part of micdrop’s method is to have the speaker use their story as a vehicle to inspire and educate an audience.
"We strongly believe that MicDrop is fully compatible with Halacha. MicDrop has no opinion on the laws of modesty, mixed seating or women presenting in front of men. We realize that some of our clients may and we welcome the opportunity to tailor our program to their needs and standards," Lowe said.
Lowe said that he and co-founder Eli Nash plan to reach out to the Rabbonim to "better explain MicDrop and what guides us. We welcome the opportunity to host a portion of our events where our program is within the guidelines of the Rabbonim so as to to offer our important service to more people within the community," he said.
The events, for both men and women, will feature 12 frum career women who will share their challenges, struggles and triumphs on topics ranging from death, life, insecurity, male chauvinism and poverty.
Two shows will take place in Manhattan, at the Ailey Citigroup Theatre at 405 West 55th Street.
1st Night: Thursday, February 7th
Featuring Katy Horowitz, Adina Miles, Mica Soffer, Faigy Vail, Chana Wasserman and Chava Witkes
Doors open at 6:30pm; Event starts at 7:15pm.
2nd Night: Saturday, February 9th
Featuring Chaya Chanin, Esti Lowenbein, Simi Polonsky, Toby Richler and Itta Werdiger
Doors open at 8:00pm; Event starts at 8:45pm.
Click here to purchase tickets.
This does sound very interesting and if it was an all women's event I would be happy to attend, but it doesn't seem right halachikly. Glad the Rabonim are speaking up. Hopefully they will change this to an all women's event so that I and my many friends can join.
Are they publically disregarding the Rabbonim's opinion? Just becos they don't like it?
Thanks collive for posting this
ìîä ùàðùéí ìà éáåàå ëòú áàîú
The organizer said he'd be willing to tailor it to the needs of the community. Just get some separate seating, the women speakers should know not to address certain issues and that's that. Why is this infinitely more evil than toastmasters or some other public speaking workshop.
Should I assume some hot heads repeatedly brought this issue to Rabbis Osdoba and Siegel, making sure they knew just how evil and corrupt this workshop is?
Public speakers Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis inspired audiences with her tale of survival and faith during the Holocaust, while Shlucha Rivka Slonim lectures internationally on Jewish observance and contemporary life.
A few points (I don't know the answers to this)
1) Did they present in a regular Frum setting to both men and women or was it in a setting of people coming to learn more about Yiddishkiet?
2) This doesn't at all address the other points that were made in the letter about mixed seating, sharing of personal matters, and more. So it seams misleading to present it as an answer and not point out that the other things still remain.
To quote:
"A lot of people have different opinions about MicDrop, but I will say this - everyone who goes to see an event, has an experience that they won't forget," Lowe said. "So before you cast judgment, come to an event. See how you feel, see how you are inspired."
This is what everyone that wants you to buy into something does. It's literally done by everyone of these types of things that it's too many to enumerate. Can you imagine taking this approach to every such event, lifestyle, way of life, belief system, therapy, religion, etc.
Sorry but that response sounds totally misleading and dishonest.
For those who will say that we do the same, you give me the easy answer to how those 2 are different.
1). Yes finally the Rabbonim are speaking out. Why aren’t that speaking out on safety issues in the community. Perhaps a kinus Hisorirous or something like that. Where have they been in the past very long months. Perhaps a year or so.
2) are they discouraging or forbidding ?
3) why in general are they getting involved with this event. It’s not in Crown Heights or even close to it.
Do they feel that they have accomplished all arrears of issues within the community. Therefore Crown Heights is at its perfection.
4) just curious, at this day n age in CH, how many of the 2500-2700 residents (families) actually listen or even care what the Rabbonim say? (Can I guess maybe maybe 20-30%)
"Crown Heights Rabbis Avrohom Osdoba and Shloime Segal"
Excuse me? I'm a little aware of machlokes regarding beis dins etc, but the solution isn't to disrespect and play down all people involved.
These are not "2 rabbis", they are Rabbonim (albeit possibly not getting along - I don't keep up with all the lashon hora), who are turned to and relied upon by the Crown Heights community.
"The letter comes despite the common practice of women publicly speaking"
Were the rabbonim reached out to for comment and clarification? No, they weren't, apparently because the author has already drawn his conclusions. Drawing ignorant conclusions is not reporting. This article wasn't by a "reporter", it is an editorial opinion piece pretending to be fact based in order to mislead.
Issues for our community: Let me count the ways - what about impossible rents and tuitions? literally deafening music at simchas with no regard for infants or the elderly? And...of course...let's not even mention the political in-fighting that of course no one is turned off by! (Anyone been in Bais Rivkah lately?)
Are there others?
Really, does MicDrop top the list of community ills? Or does one thing have nothing to do with the other? In other words, let's pick an issue and make that THE issue, and we can wring our hands and say - about other stuff - well, at least we're dealing with this stuff!!
Hashem Yishmor!!!
How can anyone honestly ask such a question after reading this article and if you've been on Collive recently. This is clearly something that is targeting the Lubavitch community and therefore relates to it. The speakers are from Crown Heights and it's targeting people in Crown Heights
2) What is wrong with with the event?
Most people asking this, probably didn't read the letter. Read the English one, it's pretty short and clear about what they are taking issue with
3) Why is Collive sharing the letter and then also sharing a link to the event?
Look at the speakers at the event
Of course we follow rabbonim!!!
We are yidden!!
You may have a personal nisayon, but that doesn't mean that Torah changes. Yes, yidden listen and follow rabbonim!!
This also presents a shialah if a woman can be a professional if it would mean professional meetings that include men and women together or if the woman would have to speak in front of men.
The title is intended merely for click-bait as the article itself goes on to describe how Mic-Drop will respond and how they are in the right. Especially indicative of this, is the fact that it continues with all the necessary details for those wishing to attend, including a link to sign up.
However, This constant pattern of behavior from Rabonim and Institutions of Halacha is discouraging people by the dozens each time they write these mass letters.
This event is appealing to people who are looking for a positive way of expresssing issues in their daily life and encouraging each other in a public setting. Good for them.
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àú äúåàø øá åîã"à
ðáì áøùåú äúåøä.éãéå îìàéí ãîéí úøúé îùîò...
îù÷ø åîøçé÷ òãåúå..
àáì ìà øçå÷ äéåí ùîòììéå äìà öðåòéí ééúâìå áøáéí..æä òðééï ùì éîéí.
éù øáðéí ùãåøùéí áøáéí òì àéñåøéí ùäí òåùéí áöðòä
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Maybe there are other issues the Rabbonim should speak up about. But that doesn't make this right.
I am impressed that you allowed comment #3 but the question is screaming for an answer "Why is col posing a link to purchase tickets when rabbonim wrote against it?!
Are they publicly disregarding the Rabbonim's opinion?!"
Al kol peshoim techase ahava... the director of this website is one of the speakers... hence the reason for the dismissive tone of this article and the continued endorsement of this event.
As the voice of our community, col has the achrayus to act responsibly and always promote the words of our Rabbonim no matter how much they may disagree.
Looking forward to seeing the link removed and the dismissive tone changed
Whether you agree or disagree with their guidance, they cannot shirk their responsibility.
COLLIVE has a mission to keep its readers informed. Thank you Mica Sofer for keeping us informed.
"We welcome the opportunity to host a portion of our events where our program is within the guidelines of the Rabbonim so as to to offer our important service to more people within the community."
Halevai all producers have the respect that he does.
Good move, Rosh!
First, in the name of transparency, there should be a note before the article letting people know that one of the scheduled speakers at this event is the founder and editor of this website. Whenever there's a potential conflict of interest, it is incumbent on any journalistic outlet to disclose it, so the readers can draw their own conclusions.
Second, two Rabbis from the Crown Heights Bais Din released a ruling, and this is what the article is about. To present a counter-argument to their ruling with a quote from Rosh Lowe, saying, "We strongly believe that MicDrop is fully compatible with Halacha," is akin to writing an article on a medical issue, and countering respected medical professionals' published diagnosis with the opinion of a Hollywood influencer. To present the arguments as equal sides of the story is misleading and immoral.
The gesture became prevalent in the 1980s, when it was used by rappers and comedians.
SOUNDS VERY JEWISH TO ME:)
rabbanim dont enjoy being machmir, they have their reasons and our job is to accept their authority. we can only benefit from listening to them. we musnt be fooled into thinking we know better. we dont.
Food for thought
We are very lucky to have such Rabonim B"H
May they live and be well
Thank you
Thank you Rabbi Osdoba. We need Tznius women heros for our girls that represent the Rebbetzins .
Let us not be fooled. The Rabonim will soon pass on, and the direction of how you wish to choose a way to live life will present itself without their guidance. Wise up. Live up, soon it'll be your turn that life changes form.
Quit clowning around - give all the life that you can while you can. You want to witness brave women share their guts in words from a position of power?
You want to see what it looks like for people to be scared AND courageous with all the differing opinions around them along with the many ones playing in their own heads?
You want to enter a space where people chose action in life?
You have a platform.
Life is full of choices.
Live yours.
Not to mention that some of these women are not remotely frum, and even encourage untznius nius clothing with their business
You couldn't care less about the community, and everyone knows it. So when you abandoned the community about serious issues but pipe up everytime something isin't "frum" enough to your standards. If you do your job, do your job fully!
With COLLIVEs founder presenting as a "wonder woman".... Contrary to daas Torah... We all see what their standard are.
Scary that people think this website decides chabad standards?
We have many brave woman with two goals in mind during this performance.
A. To inspire the crowd and spread AWARENESS to others on topics that may not be known amongst the communities.
B. To help themselves overcome this topic by speaking publicly about it and boosting their confidence.
So Halacha does not permit mixed seating. I get it. But many events now a days have mixed seating (I’m not saying this is ok) but it’s facts. And there is nothing done about it (ie. Rabonim sending out notices prohibiting it.) So why are they suddenly waking up when there is a controversial event happing? Just because they don’t agree with the concepts doesn’t mean they have to bring in Halacha into it to enforce somthing they don’t agree on.
Also there is nowhere in Halacha that states someone can not share somthing personal in public.
What message am I trying to get across? This is somthing that needs to be done! We need to bring awareness to our communities in order to prevent and educate people on things that yes, are sensitive and gentle but must be said and taught.
And to the rabonim: I’m sorry. This is somthing that each person needs to take in to account. It’s not fair to prohibit people from going to a place that is trying to HELP out communities. It’s just not right. .
All the best in everyone’s decision making...
daas baal habatim neged daas torah. get over yourselves and be machnia to beis din like regulare frum jews
Wake up and smell the strong scent of coffee brewing in your neighborhood of much unhealthiness.
Address that first.
Address the fact that the rabonim fight like tantrumming toddlers amongst themselves.When you respect each other ,you'll earn respect.
First make peace and then preach about halacha.
The women of today speak truth and will continue to speak it ,even if their voice quivers .
Women are no longer sitting in the dark keeping silent.They will uncover everything that is unjust and untrue.No stone will be left unturned.
It is the voice of truth that these rabbis fear.
Keep speaking.
A Rav of our community says not to go, and people say yes/no/why? Is that how Torah halacha works? The psak din of a. Rav is a Psak Din, if we are Torah observant. Are we??
In the letter the rabonim clearly differentiate between the high standards anash need to adhere to, and heteirem that some shluchim may rely on in a time of sha'as hadchak.
How then is mentioning the fact that some shluchos give shiurim in front of men, supposed to be a counter argument against the rabbonim's letter?
Are burkas next?
Osdoba, Avrohom vs. Braun, Yosef
Justice Name: Kathy J. King
06/06/2013 - 01/29/2019
Where is the Heter to go to court?
2) The Rabonim are rightfully and thankfully responding to something of concern to the community and the silent majority is grateful for that.
3) Admit it or not, so many of the comments against the Rabonim are coming from negative and hateful people that attach whoever doesn’t agree with them and then accuse others of that very thing. They’re being plain nasty as many others in today’s world. If you have an opinion that respects anything religious or holy to you, they’ll hatefully attach you for being hateful and associate your lifestyle and choices to a million unrelated things like abuse and other such things. I’m sure there are many unpleasant things in every community, that’s sadly everywhere. The places speaking loudest about it, aren’t very pretty themselves.
4) Thank you thank you thank you Rabonim for speaking up. Some things are more dangerous and more subtly dangerous to a community than others. Thank you Rabonim for speaking up
5) Those who disagree are welcome to disagree. Just have a little respect and basic Mentchlichkiet (humanity) for this community and our Rabonim to decide what we would like to do and the standards and lifestyle we choose. You’re free to not listen to the Rabonim, let and respect those who do.
Let's keep halacha, listen to rabbonim and not go according to emotions. Moach shalit al halev
What do u mean by let ppl live may be we should now have police and law enforcement so we should just let ppl live?...
Anyone can fun of what someone else does. Whoever is more religious is too religious and whoever is more "liberal" is too liberal.
You're free to do what you want, let others do the same.
The hate coming from people who don't agree is so palpable. Nobody is hating on what you do, just putting out what is and is not allowed for those who want to know what the Rabonim of this community are saying about this matter.
Fakerei. To help an individual in private, no. To make statements in public, this yes.
If anyone was really interested in learning public speaking techniques there are plenty of professional places that teach and it’s more then a two class series.
The problem with micdrop is that it seems that they like controversy within Yiddishkeit and love all the publicity they are getting. For them it’s all about making money. For the public speakers it’s who has a more compelling and insane story to share (some bashing the name of the aibisheter). We must stand up for our holy torah!
Btw if a lubavitch woman gave such a speech on a Ted talk or anywhere else for that matter it wld be plastered all over as a kiddush Hashem so why can’t this be as well(?!) Bec it’s catered to our community?!!!! Get your standards straight and stop making up halachos. There is a big difference between Halacha and chumra- if you’re stating something don’t make your stringency Torah!
I will be attending!
And yes why are there tickets being sold on the same article?
It's not right
And maybe by a Ted Talk it is ok and not for us. What's so difficult to understand about that? A Chabad and Anash catered event is obviously different than one catering to other communities. Any member of this community should understand this simple difference.
Why all the antagonism? Everyone is free to do what they want including going against the Psak Din of the Rabonim, Rachmana Litzlan. You want them to change because you have your opinion, that's a very strange way of looking at things.
BUT I DO HAVE AN OPINION AND ACTUALLY A HUGE ISSUE WITH THE RABBIS PICKING AND CHOOSING WHEN THEY WANT TO GET INVOLVED AND TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE AS "RABBIS" IN THIS COMMUNITY. JUST A SHORT TIME AGO A DISGUSTING ACT WAS COMMITTED AGAINST HARDWORKING SOFRIM IN THIS COMMUNITY. INSTEAD OF THE RABBIS TAKING A STAND AND EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T AGREE AT LEAST CLARIFY WHAT THEIR STAND WAS, AND AT THE MINIMUM CALL OUT ON THE TREMENDOUS DISGRACE THAT WAS CAUSED TO INNOCENT PEOPLE. THEN. THE THE RABBIS REMAINED SILENT!!! SILENT!! NOT A SINGLE WORD! AND NOW THEY ARE TALKING AND EXPECT TO BE LOOKED AT AS AUTHORITY. LET ME BE CLEAR RABBIS CAN'T JUST PICK AND CHOOSE WHEN THEY WANT TO USE THEIR TITLE WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HEADING A COMMUNITY AND EXPECT THE PEOPLE TO LISTEN!!
AND UNLIKE YOU RABBIS, WE WILL NOT BE SILENT!!
And they slam as in doing a violent action
It's more like "Community Rabonim comes out against/Asser MicDrop"
All those telling the Rabonim what to do, I'm sure you have advice for the President, the Senate, Congress, and many others of what they should be doing as well. Do what you need to be doing and don't worry about what the Rabonim need to do. Enough keyboard warriors
This is not about trying to "shut women up", stop them from 'telling the truth", covering them with burkas, or stop them from giving TED Talks.
What's it's about is stopping an anti Torah, anti male, feminist agenda from infiltrating the Torah community, under the disguise of "healing" and 'empowerment'.
TV is and Hollywood are rife with families putting their lives on TV as reality shows, and doing so causes one divorce after another, and those who don't get divorced still have their problems increased in number and magnified.
They do not get solved by being put out in public.
Putting them in public only leads to Loshon Hara.
Now, perhaps those who are for this event will say that the Laws of loshon Hara are "made up", as well?
As many commented, this "OpEd" is a marketing stunt to publicize the event.
But it's sad that this has to ride on the back of Rabonim.
Regardless of any politics in the community of between Rabonim, this way of presenting the Rabonim's "opinion" and then bringing "other opinions" and even straight out invitation info, is a Chutzpa!
If you beleive the Rabonim are making a mistake or are misinformed, or that this shouldn't be of their jurisdiction etc, bring it to their attention in a respectful manner and post their response, without ignoring or mocking their directive!
37
Since these Rabbis...
are so dedicated to protecting the Sanctity of women, perhaps they would finally be ready to participate in a serious day of learning with Rabbi A. Twersky and other trained specialists to educate themselves about Domestic Violence right here in our community? Then they can become true leaders and devote themselves to saving women's mental, physical and ruchnius heath and that of future generations. Much more important than a one night event.
These are far from victims of sexism. These are queens.
Like our Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka and like Rochel, the wife of Rabbi Akiva, who rather than being submissive, led their husbands to be of the greatest Jewish leaders in history.
Ashreinu that we have such heilige women in our community, they are the ones who will bring Moshiach.
The Alter Rebbe said that the voice of the woman is a powerful part of Moshiach - by listening to the woman's voice, we reach the level of Mesameach Chassan Im HaKallah, through Kol Chassan v'Kol Kallah. Stopping these voices from speaking is the Klipos of today preventing this holy transformation from taking place, which means Moshiach is not too far away.