I am sure it is going to come as an absolute shock to you that Parshat B’shalach, which contains the infamous Song of the Sea, is my absolute favorite Parsha in all of Torah. In all seriousness, this Parsha is truly a Cantor’s dream. Not only is there the compelling story that we tell and re-tell each year during my favorite holiday of Pesach (Passover), it is both visually and aurally stimulating and unique.
As the Israelites make their way out of Egypt after Pharaoh has finally relented, Pharaoh changes his mind, and it was even God who hardened his heart. Moses cries out to God asking why God would take them out of Egypt, only for them to perish. Moses reluctantly follows God’s command to lift his staff, and the angel, who had been leading them, moved behind them, separating them from Pharaoh’s army. To their surprise, the sea parts, the Israelites walk through on dry ground, and the Egyptians perish. Perhaps this miracle of the sea, along with the intentional changing of Pharaoh’s heart, was God’s ultimate act to prove that he/she/them are the One Sovereign God.
It is at this moment in the story when the whole layout of the Torah changes to a stacking of the text, with space in between. Midrash tells us that it represents both the brick and mortar that the Israelites laid day in and day out as slaves, and the spaces represent the parting of the sea as they passed to freedom. Each time God’s name is mentioned, there is a special melody, or special Trope, and the text of one of our favorite prayers is recited, “Mi Chamocha b’eilim Adonai…” with this special melody. Miriam, sister of Moses, once again, steps up and leads the women in song as they cross, similar to the way she ushered Moses’ baby basket to safety.
I believe at its core, B’shalach is a story of faith. They all had no choice but to have faith that they could cross. Moses had to have faith that something would keep them from dying. It takes a tremendous amount of faith to be a singer or maker of music, which makes celebrating this Parsha with a worship service of song all the sweeter. This year, we make it even better, as we welcome the very first woman Cantor, Barbara Ostfeld. Cantor Ostfeld had a God-given talent and desire in her heart to be a Cantor. Despite all of those in her life who told her it was never possible for a woman, she had the faith to continue and press on until she achieved her dream and shattered that glass ceiling. Her book, Catbird, the Ballad of Barbi Prim outlines her life in little vignettes which makes you feel as though you are watching a compelling movie when reading it. Click here to purchase a copy. I’d like to share a short excerpt: a phone call between her and the Registrar at Hebrew Union College School of Sacred Music.
“Good morning, Hebrew Union College, registrar’s desk. Miss Altshul.”
“Hello, this is Barbara Ostfeld. I’m a senior in high school in North Haven, Connecticut, and I’m interested in applying to the School of Sacred Music. I’d like to request an application form.”
“Hold on a minute. Just wait.”
“Thank you.”
“Now you’re who?”
“My name is Barb Ostfeld. I’d like to apply to the cantorial school.”
(Pause) “I see. And how did you come to us?”
“The cantor of my current congregation went to JTS, so I called the cantor of my childhood congregation. He went to HUC.”
“Who was that?”
“Cantor Rosen. Um. Martin Rosen from Oak Park Temple in Oak Park, Illinois.”
“Well, hold on a minute. Just wait.”
“Thank you.”
“We’ve never had a request like this from a girl.” (Silence) “Did you hear me, Miss….”
“Um, yes. Ostfeld. Sorry—I did hear you.”
“No girl has called up and asked for an application.”
“Oh. Ah. Can I give you my address?”
“I’ll take your address but hold on.”
“Thank you.”
I hold while Miss Altshul consults someone or checks admissions requirements or finishes her grocery list—I have no idea.
The wait isn’t long, but it’s long enough to make me worry. My palms sweat and I think that my fate is hanging in the balance—that Miss Altshul, like Alice’s Red Queen, will either chop off my head or grant me freedom.
I hear a muffled sound from the phone and then her voice.
“Very well. Spell your name for me.”
“O-S-T-F-E-L-D, Barbara.” (Pause) “Thank you, Miss Altshul.”
“Hmm. Very well.”
I let go of my breath and put the receiver down. This is happening. I will go to cantorial school. I wait for a trumpet fanfare, but there is nothing, other than the pounding of my heart.
In the spring of 1974, with much media attention, the Hebrew Union College ordained the very first woman Cantor. And the rest is history. Cantor Ostfeld will be speaking about our heroine, Miriam, at this coming Shabbat Shirah, Fri. Feb 3rd. Following her sermon, we will sing a gospel, spirit-filled version of Mi Chamocha, sung by Miriam, one of the characters in Bible Women, a compilation of 31 short songs by composer Elizabeth Swados. A creator of socially conscious musical theater works, Swados sought to bring voice to seven heroic females in our Hebrew Bible. As is often the case with the musical genre of Spiritual songs, this setting refers to God in the masculine throughout, referencing God as a “man of war,” “Lord,” and “him.” When taken in context, it can be powerful. But we felt that for our worship this Friday, it would be best to skip this part. Instead, the choirs and I will begin at the fast, lively part with, “Who is like unto thee, Oh Lord.” Please take a listen to Swados’ performance of it here, and be ready to sing along with us on Friday night!
I hope you will join us for a very spirit-filled and uplifting weekend with Cantor Ostfeld. She will be with us Fri night for a service of music by our Adult Choir and Kol Zimrah Community Singers. Both choirs are incredibly unique, in that our Adult Choir is the only choir in the North Shore and in most synagogues, that gathers weekly and sings monthly. Kol Zimrah Community Singers pulls lovers of Jewish Choral music from all over the Chicagoland area to present classic and contemporary Jewish choral works which you will likely not hear anywhere else in the country. On Sat, she will be leading our Torah Study at 9:30 a.m. and participating in Tefilah at 8:30 a.m. Cantor Ostfeld will be available for book signing and conversation. We hope to see you there! Shabbat Shalom!