April 12, 1979

ASSOC, I . J EW ISH HISTORICAL t 30 SESS I ON S ST . tZ OVI DENCE , RI 0290 6 Support Read Jewish By More Thon Agencies 35,000 With Your People Membership THE ONLY ENGLISH JEW/SH WEEK l r N R I ANO SOIJT'"/EAST MASS VOLUME LXII. NUMBER 6 THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1979 25¢ PER COPY Nancy Lieberman Different Women Taking Passover From -Most Other Females NEW YORK - Nancy Lieberman of collegian reached the Waldorf-Astoria Service Roles From Men Far Rockaway, Quee~s. has two qualities where she was presented her prize. The A model sedcr, prepared by a task force of which were asked by two young gi rls instead that distinguish her from most other young collegian reached the Waldorf from Jewish women, was held last week for about of boys who traditionally take the parts, women. Knoxville, Tennessee, where she had been 40 persons including 10 men, at the House of there was a sense of innovation among the First and foremost, she was recently trying out for the United States women's Living Judaism, Fifth Avenue at 65th Street. participants. voted the best woman collegiate player in national team. Its objective was to make other women, Most of the men at the seder are married the nation • second, she can keep a secret. The Wade Trophy has been in existence particularly the heads of single-parent to members of the task force, and said they Just a couple of weeks ago, she sparked Old two years, and girls from the Metropolitan families, feel comfortable assuming roles in did not feel threatened by the changes. An pominion of -:Vi rginia to the women's area have been the winners. The first was the Passover service which arc traditionally nette Daum, coordinator of the federation's national championship, and congratulatory Carol Blazejowski who played for Montclair performed by men. religious department, said the seder was one telegrams poured in by the dozen. State in New Jersey. Miss Lieberman The sedcr was different from all others way of putting into practice the organiza. So, it wasn't any surprise when she walked learned the game near her home, perfected because tradition underwent changes; lion's goal of making women full partici into her coach's office and was handed a it on playgrounds in Brooklyn and Harlem. because a man lit the candles and men pants in a religious event that symboli zes telegram. She took it, and headed for the Then she moved her game to Norfolk, helped prepare the meal of gefilte fish, un- freedom. She said that in every age from the gym while opening it. The telegram was Virginia, where she picked up a Southern ac 1eave ned bread and lamb, duties Biblical figure Miriam to Golden Meir. from the Wade Trophy Committee, inform• cent, and a 6-foot 5-inch center named Inge traditionally reserved for women. women have been involved in obtaining and ing her that she had been voted the best Niessen by way of the Danish national team. Because the Haggadah, the text used dur• maintaining their freedom . college girl basketballer. Miss Lieberman is 5-10, a junior, and ing the seder was read by a woman and men· Barbara Strongin who headed the task But, the telegram also contained this note studies marketing at Old Dominion. She tioned. along with Moses and Aaron, a num• force, said that the group whi ch cheri shes • "Keep the award news quiet. Don't tell might turn pro after graduation, but right ber of Jewish women whose roles in the ex every value, every branch, and every leaf of anyone." Naturally, she was so happy she now. there isn't much money in women's odus of the Jews from Egypt into Canaan are its heritage, did not want to change obser could have shouted the news from the roof• basketball. There have been phone calls not usually mentioned. The seder was vance per se, but wanted to make women tops but didn't, and kept mum until the from agents, but she can't talk figures with prepared by the task force on equality of the full participants. The group is not seeking Wade Committee made an official announ• them because that would be in violation of New York Federation of Reform Syn• to shut off the voices of the past, but as the cement last week. Miss Lieberman was her amateur eligibility status, something she agogues, the metropolitan-area branch of meditation prayer says, "May the words of guest of honor al the Waldorf-Astoria wishes lo protect for next season and the the Union of American Hebrew Congrega our mouths be acceptable to thee, 0 God." where she waspresentedher prize.The young 1980 O lympics. tions. From the start of the four questions She continued that revising roles is not changing values. For that reason, the task force revised the New Union Haggadah which was itself revised by the Central Conference of American Rabbis in 1976, but still contained sexist references Lo a male God and illustra tions that focused primarily on men . The task force had the same kinds of problems with which iss ued in 1975 . Mrs. Daum said the task force rejected the hard-line feminism evident in some recent. revisionist Haggadahs which blame men for . I making laws, liturgies and rituals. The task i force also carefully avoided referring to G od as " she" because it is abh0rrent within Judaism. It tried to enhance the concept of a god who is nonsexist. The task force came up with pictures of Moses' mother, Yochebed, kneeling beside him in the bull rushes along the Nile. There is also a picture of four children, two of whom are clearly girls. In traditional Haggadahs, all fo ur are boys. Another woman mentioned in a new way is Miriam, , who joined her brother Aaron in speaking against Moses. But unlike Aaron, was punished with leprosy and banished from the camp_for a week.- Traditional Haggadahs, which show Moses leading the people, do not show Miriam leading the women in dance and song. The task force thinks that they should, and that is why they ended the occasion with ANNUAL LUNCHEON: The National Council of J-lah Women, Providence Section, wlll hold Its Second Annual Community traditional Jewish dances. The model seder Service Award luncheon at 12 noon, Tuesday, May 22, at the ledgemont Country Club, Seekonk. Taking part, from the left, offers a do-it-yourself kit for every Jew. It Cella Adler, chairwoman of the Hlectlon committee for 1eholar9hlpa and camperahlpa; Muriel leach, council prnldent; Sylvia considers it as a road map, a guide, and it's fine if people want to use other things with it. Brown, chairwoman for the luncheon, and Gloria Winston, co-chairwoman and host- for the kickoff coffee hour. "This H3ggadah joins the Jewish woman of today to her sisters of generations past as people of strength, courage. wisdom and National Council Of Jewish Women determination, capable of changing the course of society," Mrs. Daum stated. The most noticeable change in the model Will Honor· Selma Pilavin Robinson- seder is expected to soothe the feelings of some Jewish women who find Passover a The Second Annual Community Service benefit the organization's scholarship fund field as a member of the Providence Mayor's time of sharp distinction between the sexes, a Award Luncheon of the Providence Section, and campership program. Selma Pilavin Recreation Advisory Committee to which time wh.e n women put themselves through National Council of Jewish Women, will be Robinson is a past national chai rman of the she was appointed for a seven-year term and an elaborate ritual of cleaning house, and held Tuesday, May 22 at 12 noon, at the women's division of U.J.A., now is a mem• served 20 years. bringing out a second set of dishes, and Ledgemont Country Club in Seekonk. ber of the executive committee, and is a She is also recipient of the National Con cooking a festive meal, while men lead the The luncheon will honor Selma Pilavin board member of the Jewish Federation of ference of Christians and Jews Award for service. Mrs. Daum added that the federa Robinson, a distinguished nationa l and Rhode Island. She is also a trustee of the R.I. advancing the ideals of Brotherhood. She tion is trying to change everything, that her local community leader. The luncheon will School of Design, and a member of 'the was awarded the 1971 Providence Art Club own husband helped with this, and these be preceded by a sherry reception at 11 :30, Museum of Fine Arts Committee. A mem• medal for contributing so much to the life of responsibilities should be shared. and will include a student musical ber of the Brown University Library Com~ the community, and is responsible-for thees• review,"The Voyagers," directed jointly by mittee, she has served as vice-president of tablishment of the Albert and Selma F. The seder was held more than a week Jon Caliri and Larry Lo Verdi of Rhode the world Affairs Council of Rhode Island Pilavin collection ofHebraica-Judaica in the before Passover so members of the task force Island College. and Hadassah, as well as being on the library of Brown University, and the es• could sec the result of their yearlong effort to Reservations may be made by contacting Boards of Big Brother of Rhode Island and tablishment of the Albert Pilavin collection abolish the idea that woman's chief con• the Providence Section at 60 Oak Hill the United Addition.

Load more