Hear music composed for Women of the Wall Shabbat March 9

On Saturday, March 9, Congregation Kneseth Israel, 330 Division St. in Elgin, will celebrate a special Shabbat morning.

In addition to International Women's Day, it is also Women of the Wall Shabbat. Women of the Wall is an organization founded in Israel by Orthodox, Reform and Conservative women to allow women's voices to be heard at the Western Wall. It is an organization that Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein has supported since the first service in 1988.

"Women of the Wall has worked tirelessly to achieve access to the Western Wall for all women in Israel as well as pluralism in Israel. My college roommate was there at that first service and one of my professors at the Academy of Jewish Religion, an Orthodox rebbetzin (rabbi's wife) who taught Feminist Theology was a founder," Klein said. "I am actually a national speaker on behalf of Women of the Wall. Simon and I proudly wear their tallitot/prayer shawls. We were married the same year they were founded so they were an anniversary present for a milestone anniversary."

At this service, there will be a number of women participating and having their voices heard. It will feature Jewish music composed by women and a new piece written especially for Women of the Wall Shabbat.

"It seems especially apt that we are celebrating Women of the Wall in March just ahead of Purim, where Esther finds her voice and saves the Jewish people," Klein said. "It is also Women's History Month. It is also appropriate for Congregation Kneseth Israel which is a fiercely independent congregation and allows women's voices to be heard."

There will be a special kiddush luncheon after the service where additional conversation over food can be encouraged around these important topics.

The challah, a special Shabbat bread, is being baked by the members of the new Rosh Hodesh Challah baking class.

Join them on Saturday, March 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For information, visit www.ckielgin.org.