Jewish Federation To Hold

Women’s Passover Seder

SOUTHBURY — Jewish Communities of Western CT, Inc., will join more than 50 groups across the country in a celebration of women during the Passover season. The second women’s Passover Seder will be held on Sunday evening, April 1, at the Southbury Hilton.

More than 150 women from around the region are expected to come together to retell the ancient story of Passover. Commemorating the Jews’ Exodus from slavery in Egypt, Passover provides a unique opportunity to talk about the struggles for freedom. For women, the Passover Seder offers an opportunity to use the metaphors of liberation to explore women’s expanding roles in society and in Judaism. The Seder also offers a chance to celebrate women throughout history and today who work to ensure others’ freedom from enslavement.

The Women’s Passover Seder was conceived by Ma’yan, the Jewish Women’s project of the Jewish Community Center of the Upper West Side in New York City.

“The popularity of the Seders reflects the desire of many women to have a voice in the Passover celebration, which is more than their traditional roles as Seder cooks and passive attendees,” comments Barbara Dobkin, Ma’yan founder and chair. “Women want to keep observing Passover with their families at home, but they also want to join with other women to celebrate and learn about their special heritage as Jewish women.”

This year’s Seder Leader is Cantor Marcia Lane. A Waterbury native, Lane is a professional singer, an award-winning storyteller, and a published author. She has traveled the globe delighting audiences with her performances. Lane is the author of Picturing the Rose: Ways of Understanding Fairy Tales, Christopher Wants a Party, and Touring Without Tears. She has appeared on television and radio shows, including her own radio program, Stories from the Enchanted Loom, which airs on dozens of public radio stations.

The Women’s Passover Seder is sponsored by The Federation: Jewish Communities of Western CT, Inc. Cynthia Rabinowitz, Bethlehem, and Lorraine Luger, Waterbury, are co-chairs of the event. Linda Goodman, Woodbury, will lead the Seder Singers. The Seder is open to all women and girls. To reserve a space call Abby Greenwald at the Federation, 203-263-5121, extension 308, or jfedoutreach@aol.com.