On November 15th Mayor Moshe Abutbul presented a check for 22,000 NIS to Israel 15 initiative "Spotlight on Women" or in Hebrew "Bamah L'Isha". This project was presented to the Israel 15 Regional Roundtable in 2010 following the conference organized by the Partnership 2Gether Beit Shemesh - Mateh Yehuda of the Jewish Agency, for All-Women's Initiatives. It was chosen by Mayor Abutbul and the Municipality's Israel15 committee as a flagship program for the city of Beit Shemesh.

The initiative, created by Rochel Grundman and Annie Orenstein promotes professional women in the performing arts for all-women's performances. The artists come from different communities in the region including religious, non religious and Haredi women. They plan to hold 2-4 high quality performing arts events for all-women audiences in the coming year including a show by Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet resident Gitty Porgesz, choreographer and dancer. Gitty has written a story to dance about her life. As a Hassidic woman who became a professional dancer and choreographer.

This project not only gives women a chance to be empowered and paid for their performances, it also strengthens culture in the region, and brings together all types of women creating a dialogue and friendship based on arts and culture.

Spotlight on Women's mission is to support and promote women, who for their own personal and/or professional reasons find women only forums attractive means for their professional advancement. Spotlight On Women's vision is for every women of the entire cultural spectrum to bring rich, culturally refined and highly artistic performance experiences to every woman in Israeli society, whether she is seeking a stage for her talents or she wishes to be part of a uniquely women to women experience as an audience member.     

.The vision of Spotlight is expressed by co-founders Rochel Grundman and Annie Orenstein:

Rochel;"I am passionate about helping women aspire to, and achieve their creative goals. I have been privileged to support women to find joy and purpose in their lives through the performing arts. My greatest pleasure is to coach women to find their own inner strength, and reach their potential."

"Wherever they come from, every woman can touch another to become inspired to grow as a strong member of society. My personal inspiration for Spotlight On Women is to take women on a personal journey for achieving personal and professional success. Our audiences connect and thrill with our performers and take that inspiration back to use in their own lives."

Annie; "We are inspired by women who have found their voice in this world, and wish to share their strengths with others. We aim to create a safe and warm environment for women to express themselves and grow together."

For further information about how you can get involved in Spotlight On Women's programs please contact Rochel at rochel.spotlight@gmail.com, Tel. 0507-640911 or Annie at annie.spotlight@gmail.com