Wednesday, March 10, 6:30-9:30 pm

Why is this Seder different from other Seders?

The Seder, the Passover ritual and meal illuminating the Jewish people’s exodus from Egypt, abounds with questions. There are the traditional four questions, including “why is this night different?” Then there are the questions asked around the dinner table that instruct about the Jews’ exodus from Egypt. As the Seder rituals go on (and on), there is the ubiquitous question, “when do we eat?” For the answer to that last question, all eyes turn to the women, the mothers, daughters and grandmothers who, also traditionally, are responsible for the meal.

But women’s role in the history of the Jewish people goes well beyond the kitchen. Kol Isha: A Woman’s Voice, a model Seder, recognizes the vital part played by women. The Seder, complete with catered dinner, will take place on Wednesday, March 10, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm at the YJCC. It will be led by Rabbi Amy Ruth Bolton, director of the Living Room: A Health, Healing and Wellness Center at Jewish Family Service of Bergen and North Hudson, and Cantor Kerith Spencer-Shapiro, Congregation Adas Emuno, Leonia. The special Haggadah, the book used to tell the Passover story, is revised each year under the guidance of the Seder leaders.

Now in its ninth year, Kol Isha is a multigenerational, participatory event that captures the spirit of women through words, music and dance. This year, the Jewish Women’s Connection of the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades and Jewish Family Service of Bergen and North Hudson join the YJCC in co-sponsoring the event, along with synagogue sisterhoods or women’s groups from Congregation B’Nai Israel, Emerson; Fair Lawn Jewish Center/Congregation B’nai Israel, Fair Lawn; Glen Rock Jewish Center, Glen Rock; Temple Beth Or, Washington Township; Temple Beth Sholom, Park Ridge; Temple Israel, Ridgewood; Temple Emanuel, Woodcliff Lake; Congregation Adas Emuno, Leonia; Temple Beth Israel, Maywood; Jewish Community Center—Paramus.

Admission is $30 for a member of any sponsoring organization, $40 for non-members, and $50 for wine patrons; dinner is included.
Reservations should be made by March 1.

Click here for a registration form.

For more information, contact Ornit Michael at (201) 666-6610, ext. 254 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it