Sisterhood/Women of Reform Judaism
 |
A member of Women of Reform Judaism, The Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. Founded in 1913, WRJ represents 100,000 members in 13 countries, 600 Sisterhoods and 12 District Federations. As the women's affiliate of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, WRj works on behalf of the World Union for Progressive Judaism and the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religiion, and is founder and supporter of the Jewish Braille Institute of America, Inc.
Sisterhood News
We are just finishing the leap month of Adar II, which means that the month of Nisan is about to arrive! Nisan is the month which we, in the Northeast, associate with warmer weather, and in which Jews around the world celebrate our freedom, when we gather together for the Passover Seder.
Most people are familiar with Elijah’s cup, a symbol of the prophet Elijah, with whom we associate our hope for redemption, when our world and we, will be perfected. Fewer are familiar with Miriam’s cup, yet this has become a regular part of many seder tables.
We place Miriam’s cup on the seder table and we remember the miracles of the Israelites’ journey through the desert. For as long as Miriam was alive, a well of water was found wherever she went. What would otherwise have been uninhabitable land became a temporary home for our mothers and gathers. Elijah’s cup reminds us of the redemption to come, whereas Miriam’s cup reminds us of the redemption that is with us at all times, as long as we stay connected to Shechinah, the Sacred Feminine.
We are grateful to live in a time when it is not men alone anymore writing history and Haggadah, but when the power of the female, which has always been a strong force, can be openly acknowledged. Miriam’s cup reminds us to stand up for our nurturing values, to bring life and peace to the desolate landscape of destruction and war.
As we pour the clean and life-giving water into Miriam’s cup, we visualize connecting to her ‘well’ spiritually. We will remember that no matter how difficult the many demands of our lives are, we can always access her nourishing waters within us.
From Covenant of the Spirit New Prayers, Poems and Meditations from Women of Reform Judaism
As we prepare for the seder, a time of fun, food, family, and tremendous amounts of cooking, cleaning and preparation, I implore all, men and women, to take the time to access those nourishing waters within each of us. May your Pesach be filled with love, joy, and satisfaction.
Our last One Night Stand of the year will occur the week prior to Passover, on Thursday, April 17th, from 7 – 9pm. Two wonderful knitting teachers will be teaching knitting to all, men and women, of all ages. All you need will be provided, for a fee of $10.00. Homemade desserts and coffee or tea will precede the class. Call Ronnie Dubrowin at 612-8268 or email her at RonMidwife@aol.com to RSVP, by Sunday, April 13th.
Ronnie Dubrowin
President
