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Legislature’s passage of

Menstrual Dignity Act hailed

The Legislature’s passage this year of House Bill 3294, the Men-
strual Dignity Act, requires all public schools to provide period
products free to elementary, middle and high school students.
The legislation was supported by PERIOD, a Portland-based na-
tional nonprofit founded in 2014 that strives to eradicate period
poverty and stigma through service, education and advocacy.
PERIOD Development Director Dara Wilk is a member of Con-
gregation Beth Israel and of the Portland
Chapter of Dignity Grows. Dignity Grows
is a national nonprofit associated with the
Jewish Federation system that provides
hygiene products to women, girls and
individuals assigned female at birth who
cannot afford them. The Women’s Philan-
thropy of Greater Portland created the 15th
chapter of Dignity Grows earlier this year (see below).
“PERIOD and the many youth activists that have worked to make
Mark Sherman celebrates writing 54 songs – one for each week's sure legislation such as the Menstrual Dignity Act HB 3294 have
parsha (Torah portion) – with an outdoor concert that also featured demonstrated brave leadership,” says Dara. “They are going to
vocalist Alyssa Knudsen at Congregation Neveh Shalom. solve the issue of period poverty, and that inspires me on a daily
Musical Midrash meets basis to do the work I do for PERIOD. It is a multigenerational
issue and other groups like Dignity Grows also work to serve those
milestone with song menstruators in need. We all have to work together in this move-
ment, because periods don’t stop and neither do we.”
JFGP Campaign Director Wendy Kahn, who staffs Dignity
One year ago, Mark Sherman Hendin, who attended on the Grows agrees.“Schools supplying period products help normalize
launched his Musical Midrash plaza. Merrill is the principal a regular body function. A young individual who menstruates and
Project. His goal? To create and of Portland Jewish Academy. cannot afford to purchase period supplies will instead choose to
perform 54 songs, one for each “What a treat during such com- stay home. That’s three to seven days per month missing school.
of the year’s parshiyot (Torah plex and tumultuous times to … Dignity Grows, together with our distribution partners Outside
portions). learn Torah together through In and Transition Projects, help to reach individuals … the schools
“Musical Midrash Project is Mark’s beautiful music.” might not. Dignity Grows will continue to work with our partners
an innovative approach to To- Mark’s concert purposefully and hope one day this issue is solved for good.”
rah study that uses music as a coincided with Elul, the month A study conducted by PERIOD and the company Thinx “found
way to connect thoughtfully on the Hebrew calendar dedicat- that 16% of students have chosen to buy period products over food
and emotionally to our tradi- ed to introspection and reflection or clothes as a result of the pandemic,” according to a press release.
tion’s foundational text,” says prior to the High Holy Days. “This is a progressive policy but also a bipartisan one,” said
Mark, a guitarist, songwriter While he has completed his PERIOD Executive Director Michela Bedard in a statement.
and vocalist. “The songs are initial 54 songs and has shared For more information on PERIOD and its upcoming events, visit
like 54 gems from the Torah them in a weekly online concert period.org/events.
that have been polished so they as they emerged, the Musical
can be seen in a new and com- Midrash Project will continue Dignity Grows adds distribution partner
pelling way.” into the new Jewish year. The Portland Dignity Grows Chapter has added Transition Proj-
He met his goal and to cel- “I am exploring through week- ects as a distribution partner to distribute the group’s Dignity Totes
ebrate, headlined a hybrid ly Musical Midrash Torah study to neighbors in need.
in-person and virtual concert on sessions how these songs can Dignity Grows is a national nonprofit that provides hygiene prod-
the Holzman Plaza of Congre- help people make surprising, ucts to women, girls and individuals assigned female at birth who
gation Neveh Shalom on Aug. personal connections to the cannot afford them. Each tote includes a month’s supply of san-
17. About 25 masked people Torah on a regular basis,” says itary pads and tampons, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, deodorant
attended in person and another Mark. “I am also looking for- and shampoo. The Portland Dignity Grows Chapter has packed
15 enjoyed the melodies on- ward to working with Jewish 360 Dignity Totes. The next packing party will be at the Eastside
line. Guest musicians – vocalist institutions as partners to make Jewish Commons on Sept. 19. For details, visit jewishportland.
Alyssa Knudsen and violinist the songs available for all ages.” org/dignitygrows or email wendy@jewishportland.org.
Andrew Ehrlich – accompanied You can read more about For over 50 years, Transition Projects has delivered life-saving
Mark on a number of the songs the project in this December and life-changing assistance to some of Portland’s most vulnerable
from Deuteronomy that he per- 2020 story: jewishportland. residents, engaging folks at all levels of their journey from home-
formed at the mid-August event. org/jewishreview/jr-stories/ lessness to housing. The Mobile Engagement team visits people
“I felt so much beauty in the musical-midrash-strikes-a-chord. living on the streets to help them meet their basic needs, provide
space he created for us to learn, To listen to Mark’s songs – much-needed items and work to connect them to additional sup-
listen and even sing together, lyrics in Hebrew and English portive services, including shelter, wellness and housing support.
not something we can do much included – visit his website, “Dignity Totes will be a great addition to the resources available
of these days,” says Merrill musicalmidrash.com. through our Outreach efforts,” says a Transition Projects staffer.
Jewish Review Sept. 1, 2021 7