Temple Emanu-El hosts interfaith women's Passover Seder

Though the Sisterhood at Temple Emanu-El has hosted its interfaith women's Passover Seder service for seven years, this year's service took on a special importance in the light of recent bombing threats to Jewish temples and community centers across the country.

"The Jewish community here is so special and so unique. They are so warm and loving," Cantor Jessica Roskin said of Temple Emanu-El, where she has been a member for 17 years.

The seder, held at Temple Emanu-El on March 19, reflected on the Passover story of the Israelites escaping Egyptian slavery, but with a unique focus on women's role in the Passover and today. Roskin, who led the seder, said women like Miriam, Moses' sister, don't get much mention in the biblical book of Exodus, but the women's seder is a chance to recall generations of strong Jewish women, as well as the needs of women around the world.

"We come together as women of all faiths to celebrate the exodus as well as our differences," Roskin said.

The seder included some unique aspects alongside the traditional parts of the ceremony, including pouring water into Miriam's Cup on each table and the addition of an orange on the seder plate. The orange represents not only the fruitfulness of the Jewish community, but also the different segments of the community, including women and LGBT people, as a single whole. 

Roskin included in the service the story of Asma Jahangir, a Pakistani human rights lawyer and social activist for women, as a reminder that there are women around the world who are suffering under need, oppression and inequality. About 150 women attended this year, and they were asked to bring toiletry items for Pathways, a United Way service for homeless women and children, as a Tikun Olam — "repairing the world" — donation.

Among those in attendance was Stephanie Underwood, who has attended a Passover Seder before but not at Temple Emanu-El. As an evangelical Christian, Underwood said she feels compelled to remember the Jewish identity of Jesus and the Israelites' "deliverance" from Egypt.

"I try to stay connected with my Jewish Jesus," Underwood said.

After a community meal prepared by the temple's Brotherhood, the women closed the seder with a song for Miriam, dancing and playing provided tambourines as Roskin sang.

"We are all women and it doesn't matter what our faith is," Roskin said. "We can share in learning about the Israelites leaving Egypt so we could be a free people."