Community Women’s Seder upcoming March 16

The Women’s Seder of Pinellas County, since its inception a dozen years ago, has enabled women to commemorate one of Judaism’s primary holidays—Passover.

This year the Seder will be held on March 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Shalom in Clearwater. A cross section of community organizations has stepped up assponsors of the event.

Cyndi Silverman, chairperson of the Seder, said the purpose of a Women’s Seder is twofold: to bring together women of all ages and backgrounds to pray, sing, dance and celebrate, and to help Jewish women’s groups build community.

While the focus is on women, men are welcome to attend.

This year’s Seder is dubbed “Our Journey to Freedom.” Some 200 people are expected to attend the function, where they will be treated to a multi-course vegetarian meal, accompanied by prayer, song and storytelling.

A medley of professional voices from local synagogues will take the stage. Rabbi Danielle Upbin of Congregation Beth Shalom in Clearwater will be joined by several cantors: Deborah Jacobson of Temple Ahavat Shalom in Palm Harbor and Jennifer Duretz-Peled of Temple B’nai Israel in Clearwater. Lily Lucey, a Torah chanter at Congregation Beth Shalom, once again will be a guest vocalist.

Professional storyteller Emily Harris will offer a dramatic presentation of Miriam’s story with the help of fiveyoung women from area synagogues.

Miriam, the older sister of Moses, is sometimes overlooked in traditional lore, although she appears in the Torah leading the women in dance and song once the Israelites have crossed the Red Sea. In recent years, adding a Miriam’s Cup to the Seder table has become popular.

Among the sponsors of the Women’s Seder are the Jewish Federation of Pinellas & Pasco Counties, Pinellas County Jewish Day School, Jewish Women International, and sisterhoods from Congregation Beth Shalom, Temple B’nai Israel, Temple Ahavat Shalom and Con- gregation B’nai Israel.

Four chapters of Hadassah — the Lylah Pinellas, North Pinellas, Yachad, Clearwater and St. Petersburg chapters— along with the Hadassah Professional Women’s Council also have signed on as sponsors.

Cost to attend is $18 per person.

For additional information on how to reserve a seat, call Congregation Beth Shalom at (727) 531-1418 or Nancy Bomstein at 733-6767.