For over twenty years my family went to our Orthodox aunt and uncle’s home for the first night of Passover. It was always a very long and laborious evening with my two brilliant cousins showing off their perfect Hebrew. Our chain-smoking, mustached uncle would delight in his children’s superiority and would then turn into Archie Bunker, yelling at my sweet aunt, the perfect Edith, to leave the kitchen and join us at the table. It was the same scenario every Passover. Years later, when I brought my future husband, Ernie, I knew if he survived the evening, he was a keeper.

Ernie, a knowledgeable oenophile, volunteered to bring the wine, but my uncle said they were all set. I am sure he felt it wasn’t going to be kosher enough since Ernie grew up “reformed.” My family, on the other hand, were not drinkers and were thrilled with Ernie’s expertise. As the first glass of wine was poured from the carafe used every year, Ernie grew suspicious. It had nothing to do with the fact that the wine was Manischewitz, but it was a color nowhere near red and filled with particles past the sediment stage. When Ernie politely inquired about the wine, my uncle couldn’t remember when he first opened the bottle. “Maybe three years ago?”, he said. We all switched to grape juice as my embarrassed uncle poured the wine down the drain. Needless to say, Ernie was asked to bring the wine the following year.

We laugh about this story now and realize that the rigid Seders we experienced as children are not necessarily the norm. Since then, we have been invited to ultra-orthodox Seders with relatives who laugh, ask questions, sing until 2 or 3 a.m., and drink lots and lots of delicious kosher wine.

With my parents, aunt, and uncle all gone, so too is that Seder. Our family has changed over the years and now includes members who never experienced Passover, its history and traditions. We searched for ways to make everyone feel welcome and part of the Seder, adding readings outside the Haggadah that explain why we celebrate this ancient holiday. It takes time and thought, but in the end, everyone has fun, the matzah balls are delicious, and the wine superb.

Robin Krieger
Temple Shalom, Newton, MA

Rather than cancel our in-person conference in Phoenix, the WRJ is reimagining it, creating a one-day Virtual Fried Women’s Conference on Friday, May 1, 2020. It will be free and open to everyone.

We will offer a selection of nine learning sessions as well as a plenary panel offering thought leadership on single-gender programming. The day will culminate with a moving Shabbat worship experience with Chava Mirel, our musician-in-residence.

Join us for the kick-off to our Virtual Fried Women's Conference to learn more about Women of Reform Judaism, who we are, what we do, and the resources available to you as a member. Register to attend WRJ 101

Join the B'nai Israel Sisterhood (Southbury, CT) in discussing the film Loving Leah. The film is about an ancient Jewish ritual taking place in modern times.

Join the FSF Sisterhood to unwind and connect with a virtual happy hour! We will be meeting via Zoom, and having fun conversation and a beverage of choice (alcohol not required) while we visit. Contact sisterhood@freesynagogueflushing.org to register.

The WRJ is seeking donations for an online auction, to help raise funds in lieu of in-person fundraisers. The auction will take place in May, and items with a minimum value of $50 are needed. This can be original creations (knitted items, art, baked goods that can be shipped), items of significant value, time at vacation homes, etc. To donate, please send item details (item name, up to 50 word description, estimated value, and a photo) to WRJAuction@gmail.com by April 30.

In March, WRJ received an urgent request from the Leo Baeck Educational Center in Haifa, Israel. The headmaster/managing director asked for an emergency grant to provide computers and other needs to facilitate online learning for their most vulnerable students during the COVID-19 epidemic. WRJ’s Executive Committee moved swiftly and voted to approve funding from the YES Fund. WRJ is proud to continue its partnership with the Leo Baeck Educational Center during this time of uncertainty.