Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience is pleased to partner with UCLA Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies to present this reading and discussion with ethnomusicologist and anthropologist Jessica Roda.

For Women and Girls Only is a groundbreaking novel on the reversal of mainstream portrayals of ultra-Orthodox religious women, and of those who have left the community yet maintain ties to it. It is the first work to focus on the ultra-Orthodox female art scene in music, film, and dance across North America and on social media.

In this talk,  the audience will learn about these hidden artistic worlds, the experience of Hasidic women who now perform for public audiences, and their challenges to transform the image of Hasidicness. As an active observer and participant, Roda says brings unique insights into these private feminine worlds. “Much like in mainstream society, the emergence of celebrity status is rare, but stars like Bracha Jaffe and Shaindy Platzer are household names in these circles, and the impact of their artistic productions is broad for Jewish music.”

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Like most of The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music’s programs, this event is FREE! Register in advance for this event via the link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.  Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis. Early arrival is recommended. Registrants receive priority up until 15 minutes before the event.

About Jessica Roda

Jessica Roda is trained between Europe and North America, her  research interests include music, religion, cultural heritage, gender, health, and media. She has published over fifteen scholarly articles, three books, and a special issue of an academic journal on these topics in French and English.

Roda’s public-facing work has appeared in BBC, LaPresse, TV Quebec, The Huffington Post, Akadem, Radio Canada, Canadian Jewish News, France Culture, The Moment, Glamour, The Conversation US, Times of Israel, and numerous networks in Europe and the Americas (Brazil, Canada, Colombia, USA). She is currently the co-chair of the Society for Ethnomusicology’s Special Interest Group for Jewish Music.

Beyond her academic life, she is also a trained pianist, flutist, and modern-jazz dancer (City of Paris Conservatory), and she grew up in French Guiana, a childhood that shaped her as a person, educator, and scholar.

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This program is made possible thanks to:

The UCLA Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies
The UCLA Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience
The Joy & Jerry Monkarsh Family Fund

For questions and information, please contact

levecenter@humnet.ucla.edu