Photo courtesy of NCJW
Ensemble play explores the female experience through clothing and memories; funds raised will support community and advocacy projects.
Southfield, Mich. – National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan (NCJW|MI) will present “Love, Loss, and What I Wore”, a play by Nora and Delia Ephron, adapted from Ilene Beckerman’s book, that uses monologues and ensemble pieces to explore female experiences through clothing and memories. The play will feature a rotating cast of around 18 local women telling funny and poignant stories about life events using clothes and accessories as a central theme. The event will be held at Temple Shir Shalom (3999 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield) on Tuesday, June 9 at 7.00 p.m. Proceeds from the Spring Play will support the many community and advocacy projects run by NCJW|MI.
Spring Play Event Chair Risha Ring described the play as being full of heart and humor.
“Bringing Love, Loss, and What I Wore to our community feels especially meaningful right now, as there is a great deal of sadness and anxiety in the world around us and we felt it was important to offer something that provides connection, reflection, and even a bit of lightness,” she said.
While the play is centered on clothing and the stories it carries, Spring Play Director Sandi Matz, said it also provides an opportunity to explore deeply personal experiences in a way that is relatable and uplifting. “While some vignettes touch on more serious themes, the overall spirit of the production invites us to smile, reminisce, and share in the common threads that connect us all,” she explained.
The play will weave in a special connection to Council Re|Sale in Berkley,
the resale store operated by NCJW|MI, by showcasing select pieces throughout the performance, bringing the stories on stage to life in a tangible and meaningful way. All attendees will also be entered into a drawing for a $50 Council Re|Sale gift certificate.
The fundraising event will support NCJW|MI’s community projects and social justice advocacy work. Recent projects of the 135-year-old organization include the Back 2 School Store, which provides free clothing and school supplies to 700 Detroit children in need annually, the Backpack project which provides backpacks and school supplies to more than 1,000 homeless and low-income students in Oakland County, literacy outreach, fleece blankets for hospitalized children, and Kosher Meals on Wheels. The organization is at the forefront of voter advocacy, women’s reproductive rights and gun safety, holding programs and educational initiatives to promote these issues.
Tickets for the play, which cost $36 for general seating and $75 for patron seating, are available at www.ncjwmi.org or by calling 248.355.3300 ext.0. Messages to honor a cast member for the Playbook start at $18. Checks payable to NCJW|MI can be mailed to NCJW|MI, 26400 Lahser Road, Suite 306, Southfield MI 48033.
About the National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan
Founded in 1891 and inspired by Jewish values, National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan has maintained a progressive stance on issues at the local, state, and national levels. It is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates committed to social justice and a call for action, ‘Powerful Voices. Progressive Change’. The mission of supporters is to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.