I think it's a great thing!

" ... this revolutionary idea might actually work..."

Interesting.

But in order for it to be 'for real', the photographers, and production crew have to be all-female too
how practical/do-able is that?

This has been an issue for a while at Orthodox weddings with separate dancing, but still with frum male photographers ??

Until some groups have insisted on separate gender photographers for the separate dancing

Could be a nice niche part-time job for women interested in digital video)

Maybe Karen will have to start writing the film reviews.

No, the crew doesn't have to be all male. Technically, the crew gets the "professional duties" dispensation, which assumes that a craftsman who is executing his professional skills will be focused on his work and not the women qua women. That's why many orthodox Jewish women go to male doctors. Obviously, the degree of professionalism and focus in the case of doctors may not apply to a film crew or a lifeguard, and some women would not be comfortable relying on the dispensation, but at least in theory it does apply.

" ... That's why many orthodox Jewish women go to male doctors. Obviously, the degree of professionalism and focus in the case of doctors may not apply to a film crew or a lifeguard, and some women would not be comfortable relying on the dispensation, but at least in theory it does apply. ..."

in theory, maybe

in Halacha, probably not

am not a Rav,
and do not mean the following as a 'Psak'

but am under the impression that the /medical needs/or /'clear and potential danger' situations/ of a woman,
supercede the Tznius issues,
and even then, not always

i personally knew a frum, excellent, Ob Gyn resident, who finished with honors, and wanted to open a practice in a large Yeshiva community in the USA, and the Rav/Rosh Yeshiva said that he 'liked' him, was happy with his professionalism and credentials, and dedication, but was forbidding all women in the community to go to him, until he got married

(the woman he was serious with during the last part of his residency, appreciated this little 'urgent motivational ruling' and they were married soon afterwards, and he is well appreciated in the community)

i 'suspect' that it would be difficult to get a lenient Halachic opinion for a production crew,
but have been surprised before.

Robert, Karen,
do you have a consultant Rav for this blog ?
;-)

Alice:

I'm with you.

Barzilai:

Thanks so much for pointing out the halachic issues of "professional duties." This is something I've dealt with regularly in my career.

Exdem:

Do we have a Rav we consult about this blog?

Yes: Rav Common Sense.

It looks like the demand for frum women-only audiences/performances are growing. There is an Israeli professional theatre organization called "Rotza Lihiot Kochav" or "Wanna Be a Star" http://www.mypwt.net/who_we_are.htm

"Rav Common Sense"...
Love that! Wish he were consulted more often.

I've met "Rav Sechel" -- he is Rav Common Sense's older and wiser brother.

As for that movie premiere... I guess no cleavage showing, thigh-high slits, or off-the-shoulder evening gowns will adorn the red carpet that evening.

Anything that portrays Jewish women in a positive light is a good thing.

I don’t think this blog, as wonderful as it is, is the appropriate place for a formal discussion of the minutiae of Jewish law. That’s more the type of thing you would find on Hirhurim or on my blog. But in brief, the Igros Moshe YD III 54 and EH IV 62, who says that there is no problem when the person is a professional who is used to this activity and is focused on his work, has been relied on in many places for high school productions that involve a professional sound and light crew, despite the girls’ singing and dancing.

FYI, and a little after the fact, but good to know for next year, there is already an all female community theater group in Los Angeles. They just presented their third annual musical one month ago, "Guys and Dolls." Their website is Jewishwomenstheater.com. It was extremely professionally done and very entertaining.

I don’t think this blog, as wonderful as it is, is the appropriate place for a formal discussion of the minutiae of Jewish law.

It is always incumbent upon a person to determine if they accept the information that is being provided to them. Discussions of Halachic matters are no different.

If you do not trust what you read/hear you can always go to your rav and ask for his advice.

"I don’t think this blog, as wonderful as it is, is the appropriate place for a formal discussion of the minutiae of Jewish law".

I actually found the conversation very interesting.

Well, I think it would be wonderful if female photographers, lighting and sound techs could be used. Not because there isn't a "kosher" way for men to do the same jobs, but because I would love to see expanded opportunities for frum women to work in "safe" environments. I wonder if increased opportunities to do non-traditional things (within the confines of halacha, of course) would help stem the "going-off-the-derech" problem.

Fern, my wife is in this business in a small way, and it's very difficult to find female sound and lighting crews. It's almost all men, both in the frum and secular worlds. Most schools et al. doing performances rely on the heter.