Miriam Leah Droz

Miriam Leah Gamliel (born Lani Droz; 1976; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an American Orthodox Jewish actress, singer, and activist. A baalat teshuva with a background in musical theatre, she is the founder of the Arts and Torah Association for Religious Artists (ATARA), an organization promoting Orthodox women in the arts. In 2012, she was named one of The Jewish Week's "36 Under 36", a list of influential Jewish figures under age 36.[1]

Miriam Leah Droz
Born
Lani Droz

1976
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
EducationTaylor Allderdice High School
Alma materTouro College
OccupationActress, singer, dancer, activist
Years active2006–present
Spouse(s)
Michael Gamliel
​
(m. 2013)​
Websiteartsandtorah.org

Early life

Droz was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to a Conservative Jewish family.[2] She studied at a local music conservatory before switching to Barnard College.[3] She also studied musical theater at Pennsylvania State University.[4]

While pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theater, she took a year-long trip to Israel to study abroad at She'arim College of Jewish Studies for Women in Har Nof, which motivated her to become religious.[2][3] Told that theater was incompatible with an Orthodox lifestyle, she abandoned the field for several years.[3][5]

Upon returning to the United States, she completed her bachelor's degree from Barnard College in 1999 and earned a master's degree in library sciences.[6] She then attended Touro College's Graduate School of Jewish Studies, where she worked as a librarian and was involved in the Association of Jewish Libraries, graduating with a second master's in Jewish history.[2][3]

Arts and Torah Association for Religious Artists (ATARA)

Droz co-founded the Arts and Torah Association for Religious Artists (ATARA) in late 2006 while she was a student at Touro.[2][4] ATARA provides arts education, performance opportunities, and other resources to Orthodox female artists looking to express themselves within the boundaries of halacha.[4] Droz was inspired to develop ATARA after being commissioned to direct an all-female version of A... My Name Is Alice for Congregation Ohab Zedek in Manhattan.[2]

The organization is best known for its annual three-day Arts & Torah Conference, which features performances and workshops in music, theatre, poetry, dance, and film.[1][4] Presenters have included Rachel Factor, Shaindel Antelis, and former New York City Ballet dancer Dena Abergel,[2] while conference events have been held at Merkin Concert Hall, Kaufman Center, and Stern College for Women.[3][4][5]

Personal life

A former resident of Brooklyn, Droz currently lives in Montreal with her husband and children. As an adult, she has studied at the Drisha Institute[5] and Yeshiva University's Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration.[1] She is the program director of the Broadway Kids program at Shulamith School for Girls.[7]

Credits

As actress
Year Title Role Director
2011Barons & Bankers: The Story of the RothschildsGutle RothschildMiriam Handler
2014ChangedMayorMalky Giniger
AlexandraGrandmama
2017Kosher LoveAs herselfEvan Beloff

As director
Year Title Notes
2006A... My Name Is AliceStage
2009The House on RiversideFilm

Other credits

References
  1. Dani Shetrit (May 21, 2012). "Miriam Leah Droz, Creating a stage for Orthodox women". The Jewish Week. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  2. "Orthodox Arts". Touro College. Jan 24, 2011.
  3. Malka Eisenberg (Oct 22, 2010). "Performing arts conference for women only". The Jewish Star.
  4. Leah Hochbaum Rosner (Nov 20, 2007). "Orthodox Women Shine Onstage". The Forward. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  5. Temima Schulman (Nov 2, 2007). "Gotta dance – and sing". Jewish Standard.
  6. Drisha Institute website. "About the Artists", 2018. Accessed 13 February 2018.
  7. "The Arts & Specialty Classes". Shulamith School for Girls. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
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