Category Archives: Biography–Jewish Women

Unveiling of Sunnyside Stadium Softball plaque

Biography--Jewish Women, Bobbie Rosenfeld, Canadian Jewish Women Writers, Olympics, Second Story Press, The Matchless Six

On June 1, 2024, I attended the unveiling of the plaque for the Sunnyside Stadium Softball by Heritage Toronto. It’s here where girls and women played softball from 1924 to 1956. The stands were often packed with 5,000 spectators; the cost of admission was ten cents. These young women were truly in a “league of their own”!

I was delighted that the organizers included a display about Bobbie Rosenfeld, Canada’s female athlete of the half-century, and that Bobbie is mentioned on the plaque!

The Boulevard Club is now on the site of the Sunnyside Stadium, but a lot of people still have fond memories of their family members playing there, or of even  playing there themselves.

To watch the YouTube video of the event, go to:

TBC Sunnyside Plaque Unveiling (youtube.com)

And here’s a photo of the plaque: 

“Bobbie” play at Theatre by the Bay, Barrie (ON)

Biography--Jewish Women, Bobbie Rosenfeld, Canadian Jewish Women Writers, Olympics, Second Story Press, The Matchless Six

What a treat it was to go to Barrie and see the play Bobbie, presented by Theatre by the Bay! Trudee Romanek did a superb job writing the play–clear, passionate, well-researched. The actors were skillful and expressive, and Kathy Kacer’s consultant work was detailed and accurate. It brought me great joy to see Bobbie’s achievements (and challenges) come to life! I do hope you’ll have a chance to see the play. It runs until Sunday Sept. 10, 2023. Here’s TBTB’s  website for more information:  https://theatrebythebay.com/2023

Bobbie Rosenfeld for the Friends of the South Grey Museum, Markdale, Ontario

Biography--Jewish Women, Bobbie Rosenfeld, Olympics, Second Story Press, The Matchless Six

I was delighted to give a presentation about Bobbie Rosenfeld: The Olympian Who Could Do Everything (Second Story Press) on May 17, 2023 in Markdale, Ontario to the Friends of the South Grey Museum. Although this award-winning biography about Canada’s outstanding female athlete was published in 2004, people are still interested in Bobbie’s life and accomplishments. A new play, written by Trudee Romanek, will be presented August 30 to September 10 in Barrie, Ontario. On September 2, after the matinee performance, I’ll be part of a panel discussion including Trudee, Bruce Kidd, and Rochelle Thompson, Bobbie Rosenfeld’s niece. For more information, here’s the link to the Theatre on the Bay: https://theatrebythebay.com/2023

Thanks to Dave Sweiger of the Friends of the South Grey Museum for this photo, and for Lacy Sciamanna for the lovely display about Bobbie!

Bobbie – A New Play

Biography--Jewish Women, Bobbie Rosenfeld
I’m delighted that Trudee Romanek’s play about Bobbie Rosenfeld will be presented at Theatre by the Bay in Barrie, Ontario from August 30 to Sept. 10. Here’s the link to the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFzVudV_mSs
To purchase tickets–probably for sale in May–please go to the Theatre by the Bay’s website: https://www.theatrebythebay.com
The play is generously sponsored by Am Shalom Congregation in Barrie.

Middle Grade Magic

Biography--Jewish Women, Canadian Jewish Women Writers, Second Story Press, Uncategorized
On March 9, 2023, I participated in a panel called “Yes, It’s True”, part of SLJ’s “Middle Grade Magic”.I talked about my new book, She’s a Mensch! : Ten Amazing Jewish Women. I was honoured to join these other panelists:
Zaila Avant-Garde, It’s Not Bragging If It’s True (Penguin Random House)
Joseph Bruchac, Voices of the People (Reycraft)
David Roth and Rinee Shah, LOL 101 (Chronicle Books)
Jessica Speer, The Phone Book (Familius)
If you registered for the event, the recordings will be available until June 2023.

KidLit Authors Showcase

Biography--Jewish Women, Second Story Press, , , , , , , , , ,

On December 12, 2022, I was honoured to be included in the AJL’s (Association of Jewish Libraries) KidLit Authors Showcase, where I talked about She’s a Mensch! : Ten Amazing Jewish Women. It was wonderful to see how connections were made between books and people. Thank you to all the organizers and participants for a fascinating look into new Jewish children’s books, and for the authors’ grace, passion, and support.