Legendary songstress Barbra Streisand made a recent visit to Israel and commented on the gender inequality in Orthodox Jewish communities.
Streisand was in Israel on Monday to receive an honorary doctorate in Philosophy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, reported the Huffington Post.
In her acceptance speech, the 71-year-old singer discussed the touchy subject of sexism in Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities.
Streisand said, “It's distressing to read about women in Israel being forced to sit in the back of the bus or when we hear about `Women of the Wall' having metal chairs thrown at them when they attempt to peacefully and legally pray.”
The Western Wall is located in Jerusalem and is the holiest site where devout Jewish men go to pray and read from the Torah.
According to traditional law, women are not allowed to wear prayer shawls or to carry the holy book at the Wall as the men do.
However, Streisand took note of a growing activist movement that is working to shift this sexist mindset so that women and men can pray together and mix in public areas such as buses.
She said, “Repairs are being made, and that’s very good.”
Today, Streisand was a special guest at the Presidential Conference where she and several other big-name stars celebrated the 90th birthday of Israeli president, Shimon Peres.
Streisand sang the Jewish prayer, Avinu Malkeinu, expressing the hope that it would “cause all hate and oppression to vanish from the earth” reported ABC News.
Peres was pleased with the performance, calling it “heavenly” and warmly embracing Streisand.
Streisand is currently on a concert tour in Israel and will perform in Tel Aviv later this week.