INTERFAITH GATHERING Women celebrate selves, Passover

By LAURIE M. FISHER
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Women of faith have celebrated their sisters who changed the world.
Nearly 180 women gathered Thursday evening at the Jewish Community Center for "An Interfaith Women's Celebration of Passover."
Mothers, daughters, sisters and friends of all ages and different faiths read the Haggadah, the text of the Passover Seder. Passover begins at sundown April 7.
Participants performed prayers, songs and rituals associated with the story of liberation from slavery in Egypt, which is told in the book of Exodus.
Although the program followed the format used in many Jewish homes across the world, the text for the event emphasized women's contributions to society.
"This year we recognize five women who have made an impact on our society as a whole. We also honor others who have played an important role in Jewish history. Many of these great women have been ignored in written history. It is our hope that as we learn more about these many women of courage, we will inspire all the women of our Valley," the Haggadah's introduction noted.
Who was honored: The women included Elizabeth Freeman and Harriet Tubman, who fought slavery, Amelia Bloomer, the first woman to own, edit and publish a periodical in this country, environmentalist Rachel Carson and Jane Addams, a pioneer in social work.
This is the third community women's Seder, explained volunteer Susan Schonberger, who edited the Haggadah. A committee adapted the text to be universal in theme, she said. "For example, the themes of freedom and slavery are understood by many faiths."
The first women's Seder was held at Temple El Emeth three years ago as a project of the monthly Jewish women's study group. The second year's theme was intergenerational, honoring women who had made contributions to the area. This year, women in the Jewish community were encouraged to invite friends to experience a Seder.
Symbolic food: At the appropriate point in the text, the women were encouraged to sample symbolic Passover food including matzoh, or unleavened bread, eggs, parsley, horseradish and a mixture of nuts and apples.
In addition, participants followed the tradition of drinking four cups of wine (grape juice). Each cup was designated to honor the journey of women in Jewish tradition.
For example, one reader explained that the four women who saved Moses' life, Shifra, Puah, Yocheved and Batya "acted out of a personal sense of justice and bravery and their combined actions changed the course of history. They taught us, as would Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks, that small well-placed acts of resistance sustain human spirit and bring down the mighty. They keep alive the passion for freedom and ultimately lead the way to the promised land."
Hilari Lipkin of Liberty played the guitar and led the group in Hebrew and English songs. After event, women continued to discuss the message of the evening.
"This brings together the whole body of women as a sisterhood," said Vivian Fagalar-Haley of Boardman who grew up Roman Catholic. "We see we are united in our roots. Lines of differences become blurred. The lines that we set up are a facade."
"We didn't realize women were so honored," said Ruth Metzger of Poland, a member of Poland United Methodist Church, who was the guest of Fran Brooks, of Poland, who is Jewish. Another friend at the table, Laura Hugenberg of Poland commented, "We learned a lot about our friend's faith."
Rose Olsen of Girard and her sister-in-law Sharyn Olsen and niece Amber Olsen, both of Hartford, agreed that the rituals and food were very interesting. They are Christian.
What they liked: Rose said she was familiar with the elements of the Seder since she works at Temple El Emeth. Sharyn said she liked sampling the food, "some of it is interesting, some of it was good," she said with a laugh.
"It's pretty cool," added 17-year old Amber.
Linda Aubel of Liberty, who has participated in Seders at her church, Central Christian Church in Hubbard, said of the event, "I thought it was fabulous."