Temple Beth Israel hosts its first ever seder for women

Temple Beth Israel held its first ever Passover Seder for women on April 10. 

“Why is this night different from all others?“ said Riselle Bain, the cantor for Temple Beth Israel for the evening. “Because we, the mothers, the daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters, who usually prepare the seder are fulfilling the ritual usually reserved for our male counterparts. We must be reminded of the role that women played in the Exodus from Egypt and a continuous role in preserving and perpetuating our Jewish heritage.”

The seder started with a 45-minute service called “Following in Miriam’s Footsteps.” It covered the perspective of Passover through Moses’ sister, Miriam, and how it relates to Jewish women today. 

Debbie Cohen shared that she and her committee started organizing the event a year ago. She originally wanted to have a women’s seder in 2020 but it was canceled because of the pandemic. 

Cohen was thrilled to continue her hard work from years before. She said that a women’s seder is instrumental in showing appreciation for Jewish women for all they do. Women from the synagogue also invited non-Jewish women to share in the event as well.

“It is incredible to see even Christian women here, and just people interested in our religious traditions,” said Co-president of Temple Beth Israel, Marion Levine. “It is really helping cultivate this community of empowering women with the temple and outside of it as well.”