Berakha bat Mira v'Shlomo

Photo
Berakha bat Mira v'Shlomo
Information
Resides: Canton of Whyt Whey
Status: Active
Awards: This individual may not have an entry in the Order of Precedence, or may not have added their OPID yet. Volunteer editors may add it in the future.
Heraldry
Heraldry Needed
Award & Office Badges

Introduction

Berakha bat Mira v'Shlomo plays a Roman Jewish woman living sometime between the years 0 and 300 CE. She is primarily interested in music, fiber arts, and the history of the Jewish people from Antiquity through the early-Modern period (~1650). She lives in the Canton of Whyt Whey, Crown Province of Ostgardr, in the East Kingdom.

Persona

The primary persona of Berakha bat Mira v'Shlomo is that a Jewish person living in the Roman empire, sometime between the year 0 and 300 CE. Her family has roots in the Roman-occupied land of Israel, and like many Jews in that time and place, are multi-lingual, speaking Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and Latin. Her family are successful merchants, and some are scholars.

The secondary persona of Berakha bat Mira v'Shlomo is an Ottoman Jewish person in the mid to late 16th C, who has recently relocated to Persia to dwell with her cousins. The family has roots in the Iberian peninsula (and other parts of Europe), but like many other Jews, they moved east after the Expulsion of 1492. The family is now widespread across Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. Many are merchants and artisans. With this persona, Berakha is a member of the House of the Lotus, and pursues the history and evolution of Jewish music as a member.

Preferred Pronouns

She/Her/Hers or They/Them/Theirs

Event Staff

• Waitstaff and Coffee Barista at Kafe Merhaba, Pennsic War, 2011-2019
• Class Instructor, Pennsic War, 2015
• Class Instructor, Pennsic War, 2016
• Class Instructor, Virtual Pennsic, 2020

Projects & Publications

Classes Offered

• Introduction to Hebrew Grammar (taught at Pennsic 2015 and 2016; updated and revised 2020) (Video from Virtual Pennsic 2020)
• The Evolution of the Hebrew Language (Video from Virtual Pennsic 2020)
• Ottoman Dress in the 16th C, or How to Dress Like a Turkish Noble! (taught in SCA Powerpoint Parties in March 2020)
• Introduction to the Hebrew Calendar

Projects in Progress

• Database of Roman Jewish naming conventions from the year 0 to 600
• Expanded Class List (currently in progress):

-Anti-Jewish bigotry in Medieval Europe

-The Jews of Ashkenaz

-A Look At Haggadot

-A Look at Kashrut and Its Evolution in Period

• Music:

-Expanded Hebrew Songbook for Teaching and Performance

-Introducing "SCA Appropriate" Hebrew, Aramaic, and Yiddish language songs to the SCA that are either period, or reference documented period poetry and themes

Bardic and Performances

Berakha is the vocalist with Ishtar, a band that focuses on Balkan, Arab, Turkish, and near-Eastern music that often performs at SCA events. With Ishtar, Berakha has performed at numerous Pennsic Wars, camp parties, and bardic circles. She has also performed at events and bardic circles both solo and with friends, including with the Foxy Bard and Drunk and Disorderly.

Berakha has performed for the following events and projects:

• Pennsic Wars 45, 47, and 48
• Barleycorn (September 2019)
• Twelfth Night (Jan. 2020)
• Bear's Tavern (March 2020)
• "Sing We and Chant It" Ostgardr Crown Province music video, organized by Bardic Champion and Project Coordinator, Armiger Catelin Straquhin (Summer 2020)
• The Chalk Man Music Competition – In The Key of AEther (Friday, 31 July 2020)
• Virtual Pirate Bardic (Monday, 3 August 2020)
• First Virtual Courtesan College Performance (Thursday, 7 August 2020)

Households and Affiliated Groups

House of the Lotus

Opera dell'Est

Clan Straquhin

Guild of the Outstretched Hand

Osmanlı Mehter Takımı (Janissary Band)

Awards and Recognition

Recognized with a Token of Inspiration during Ethereal Court, June 13, 2020

In Case of Court

In case of court, please notify Berakha via email at 214469@members.eastkingdom.org, or message their personal Facebook. Advanced notice is preferred over surprise. Her persona is female, but gender-neutral language is also welcome. If relevant for any awards or scrolls, she would greatly enjoy Hebrew or Aramaic as the language of choice, but otherwise English is also well and excellent. If possible, she would prefer for any awards or scrolls to be held until in-person court can safely resume.