In My Own Voice

""This book is a powerful invitation for every girl who was told she was too loud, too bossy, or that she could not or should not follow her passion. The story of the first female cantor, Barbara Ostfeld, is sure to inspire another generation of young people to find their voice. With beautiful illustrations to accompany the moving text, this triumphant story will leave you cheering."" - Rabbi Angela W. Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi, Central Synagogue (New York). ""Music is magic, according to the pages of In My Own Voice, a biography of the first female cantor, Barbara Ostfeld-and so, too, is this magical, coming-of-age story. The readable narrative and delightful illustrations capture the spirit of a Jewish girl finding her voice in the face of gender discrimination from both peers and teachers."" - Rabbi Carole B. Balin, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Jewish history, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. ""Rabbi Sandy Sasso has provided us, once again, with a delightful children's book that will inspire boys and girls to pursue pioneering aspirations despite convention and mindless traditionalism. Young readers will see themselves in Sasso's entertaining story of how Barbara Ostfeld, a young American girl, transformed her dream of becoming the first female cantor in Jewish history into reality."" - Dr. Gary P. Zola, Executive Director Emeritus, Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives & Edward M. Ackerman Family Distinguished Professor of the American Jewish Experience, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. ""A story where dreams can come true! When faced with a "" no,"" ask "" why not?"" Bringing her soulful singing to the bimah and changing the cantorate, Cantor Barbara Ostfeld inspires and encourages us to sing out loud with joy!"" - Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray, fourth generation cantor, second woman to serve a Conservative congregation, founder and past president of the Women Cantors' Network.