This article appeared in the March 18, 2004 Jewish Advocate.

Women’s Day gala to celebrates change of seasons

By Susie Davidson

Advocate Correspondent

Women of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and walks of life can usher in the beginning of spring at the Brookline Community Center for the Arts this Sunday at the 1st Annual International Women’s Day Celebration. From 2:30 to 7 p.m. at the Coolidge Corner facility. Yom Shel Kef, a day devoted solely to women, will feature art exhibits by known and new artists of paintings, ceramics, jewelry and ornaments, demonstrations of educational toys, facial products, dance and other events. A buffet of specialty and imported foods will be available, and rooms will be named in honor of notable women such as Golda Meir, Indera Gandi, and Margaret Thatcher.

Included in the day’s agenda will be specialty workshops by BCCA faculty and collaborating community artists. According to BCCA Director Dan Yonah Ben-Dror Marshall, the multicultural offerings will include African drumming and rhythm dance by DeAma Battle, Director and Founder of Art of Black Dance and Music; Women’s Balkan Dance by Ahmet Luleci, Director of Collage Dance; Flamenco Dance by Jessica Sollee, Editor of Flamenco USA Magazine; and Chinese Kung Fu - Graceful Movement and Dance for Women by Marshall, who is a member of the Boston Kung Fu Tai Chi Institute. Marshall, who also heads the FreEMotion/LibrEMoción Repertory Company will lead Latin Dance for Women as well.

Also featured will be a Callanetics workout (which combines precise movements with intense muscle contractions) by Galit Reuveni; Women’s African-American Jazz dance by Adrienne Hawkins, Director of Impulse Dance; Hatha Yoga by Maggie Sky; Belly Dance by DeAnna Putnam, who recently authored “G-d Belly Danced: A Modern Odyssey through Israel, Lebanon, Greece, and Afghanistan - Exploring the Roots of Dance in the Bible; and a self protection demonstration of the Genuine Bussey Style by Alex Iglecia. In addition, attendees can attend a permanent makeup and cosmetics demo and video by Angelbare Permanent Cosmetic, a workshop in positive thinking by Lisa Haddad, and a literature discussion.

Vendors will include Surpriseli, a gift line of Israeli collectibles; Lady Grace Intimate Apparel, which has a 67 year-old commitment to women; Ahava Products; jewelry, beadwork and eyeglass holders by Arlene Frouchter; Israeli ceramics by Ruth Cohen; “Chana’s Hats,” “Johara’s Middle Eastern Scarves,” Ruth’s Gold & Silver Jewelry,” temporary henna tattoos, and more. The day will end with a vocal and musical performance from 8-9 p.m., followed by a special Samba and Bosonova Brazilian performance and dance party led by Mestre Deraldo Ferreira and and members of the Brazilian Cultural Center of New England, from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Brookline resident and Smart Israpages publisher Annette Zrihen conceived the idea for the event. A Moroccan descendent who moved to the US several years ago, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and French Literature and a master’s in Jewish Education from Hebrew College. Yoram Gaon, Avihu Medina and Meir Banai are among the Israeli performers she has brought to the BCCA; Matti Caspi will appear later this spring. She has organized lectures, classes, discussion groups, dances and celebrations, and recently created the local Hebrew language magazine HaKesher ("The Connection"). Its current February-March issue is wholly devoted women who have made profound and lasting impacts and contributions to society. Her Smart Israpages directory compiles professional and Jewish resources in the Greater Boston area.

“Two years ago, I attended a Women’s Day celebration in Israel,” recalled Zrihen, a blind woman who has nonetheless remained a consistent and effective local Jewish activist. “In a wonderful spirit of sisterhood, students, young mothers, business women and many others participated in lectures, exhibitions and demonstrations and dancing, arts and crafts and music performances inspired by women in leadership positions.” The experience so impressed her that she began replicating it locally, working to drum up interest since then. The BCCA, a new non-profit education arts and community center in Coolidge Corner which features a wide variety of classes and events for all ages, seemed a great fit.

“We already have Mothers' Day on our calendar, but that day is not all-inclusive,” said Zrihen. “There is also a Women's Day in March, but it often concentrates on political agendas. Our special day will offer a large variety of activities to celebrate the many contribution of women to society.”

General admission to the 1st International Women’s Day Celebration will be held at the BCCA, 14 Green Street, Coolidge Corner, is $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For information or to volunteer, please call Zrihen at 617-738-5038, email c, or visit www.SmartIsrapages.com or www.BCCAonline.com.