Berakha bat Mira v'Shlomo
Introduction
Nobilis 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 is from the Canton of Appleholm (formerly known as the Canton of Whyt Whey), Crown Province of Østgarđr, in the East Kingdom. During the pandemic, she relocated to the Barony of Bhakail. In October 2022, she moved to the Barony of Three Rivers in the Kingdom of Calontir.
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.
The secondary persona of Berakha bat Mira v'Shlomo is an Ottoman Jewish person in the mid to late 16th C. With this persona, she participates in the Osmanlı Mehter Takımı (Janissary Marching Band).
Preferred Pronouns
She/Her/Hers or They/Them/Theirs
Staff Positions
Officerships
- Minister of Arts and Sciences for the Canton of Appleholm (formerly known as the Canton of Whyt Whey) (November 2020 - October 2022)
- Deputy Social Media Officer for the Barony of Three Rivers, Calontir (Feb. 2023 - Nov. 2023)
- Social Media Officer for the Barony of Three Rivers, Calontir (Nov. 2023 - current)
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, RUM 2021)
- 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 (taught at Gryphon's Fest, Oct. 22-24, 2021; RUM 2021; Gryphon's Fest 2022; Pennsic 2023)
- The Basics of Roman Garb in the 1st C (taught at the Known World Italian Symposium, May 7, 2022; B3R Winter Court, Jan. 7, 2023; Clothier's, Jan. 28, 2023)
- Differentiating between 16th C Ottoman and Safavid Persian Garb
- Antisemitism Through the Ages (taught online at the DEIB Collegium, An Tir, Jan. 20, 2024)
Arts & Sciences
- Dance submission for Queen of Doom's A&S Entries (Feb. 7, 2021)
- What Can Persian Miniatures Teach Us About Qaba Construction? A&S Entry for the Barony of Settmour Swamp Arts & Sciences Champions' Competition (Sept. 4, 2021)
- What Can Persian Miniatures Teach Us About Qaba Construction? A&S Entry for the Barony of Bhakail at Bhakail Yule (Dec. 11, 2021)
- How Period Are These Cup-Covers, Anyway? A&S Entry for the Barony of Bhakail at Bhakail Yule (Dec. 11, 2021)
- What Can Persian Miniatures Teach Us About Qaba Construction? A&S Display at the Coronation of Ryouko'jin Of-The Iron-Skies and Indrakshi Aani Aravinda (April 9, 2022)
- Beaded Hems in Period and the Modern Middle Ages A&S Entry for Queen's Prize in Calontir (May 21, 2022)
Published Works
- Lead author for an essay on diversity in history, for the Barony of Three Rivers (went live Sept. 8, 2021)
Blog
Awards and Recognition
Recognized with a Token of Inspiration during Ethereal Court by Queen Margarita of the East Kingdom, June 13, 2020.
Awarded a Golden Lyre at the East Kingdom Bardic Championships by the Royal Consuls of the East, Magnus Tindal and Alberic von Rostock, April 24, 2021.
Granted a Silver Brooch and Award of Arms by the Royal Consuls of the East, Magnus Tindal and Alberic von Rostock, at Bjorn's Retreat, August 14, 2021.
Inducted to the Order of the Sea Dog by Their Excellencies of the Crown Province of Østgarðr, Suuder Il-Khan and Lada Il-Khatun of Østgarðr, August, 11, 2022, at Pennsic 49.
Granted a Silver Wheel at Barleycorn by Their Majesties of the East, Ryouko'Jin and Indrakshi, at the Feast of John Barleycorn, Sept. 3, 2022.
Awarded a Golden Swan by Their Majesties Logan and Ylva at Gulf Wars 31, March 16, 2023.
Awarded a Torse by Their Majesties David de la Cloude and Rhianwen ferch Bran ap Gruffydd at Toys for Tots, Nov. 18, 2023.
In Case of Court
In case of court, please notify Berakha via email or message their personal Facebook. Advanced notice is strongly 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 (or any other language) is also well and excellent. Please note, that while languages and runes and alphabets of all sorts are well and excellent, hack-hands are to be preferably avoided.
Berakha is an observant Jew, and as such is uncomfortable with kneeling before the Royal Majesties in Court when Court takes place in or at a Church. If nominated for an award, please bestow it at events that do NOT take place at a Church.