Choosing Freedom
Passover Hertorah
Featuring Rabbi Sarah Bassin, Jory Hanselman Mayschak, Rabba Shani Gross
Offered in partnership with HIAS, BaMidbar Wilderness Therapy, SouperGirl, Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies
The story of our liberation from Egypt is about more than G-d swooping in and rescuing us from Pharaoh. The Exodus story and Seder ritual teach us that freedom involves spiritual work on our end, too, and that we have an important role in achieving, and maintaining, freedom - for ourselves and others.
Please join us as we prepare for Passover together by learning from three outstanding teachers about the discipline and responsibilities of freedom.
Come when you can; stay till you can’t. But, come.
Our learning is incomplete without you.
Join us Wednesday evening 3/22 @ 8:15-9:45pm EST
Please invite someone you think might want to be with us, too.
• Come and Eat: Making the Invitation Real Rabbi Sarah Bassin
The Haggadah explicitly instructs us to “let all who are hungry come and eat.” Should we take this seriously or literally? What sensitivities should we consider when breaking bread (unleavened or otherwise) with those recently freed and often recently traumatized?
• Learning to Speak: 40 Years in the Wilderness Jory Hanselman Mayschak
In Hebrew, the word BaMidbar is translated as “in the wilderness,” but the word itself comes from the Hebrew root daber, which means, “to speak”. The Zohar, an ancient Jewish text, tells us that while we were in Egypt, the Jewish people lost our ability to tell our own stories. During that time, we were not only physical slaves, but slaves to another person’s narrative. When we left Egypt, we spent forty years in the midbar - the wilderness - and it was there that we regained our ability to speak. Through an exploration of the Zohar, Talmud, and modern texts, we will explore the relationship between personal agency, owning our narrative, and freedom. What does it mean to be in the wilderness, and how can that journey help each of us find our voice and own our narrative?
• Visions of Freedom Rabba Shani Gross
Miriam HaNeviyah (The Prophetess) has deservedly made a comeback in recent years - finally earning her “cup” at the Passover seder table. Such a return prompts us to revisit the very start of our Passover story and rediscover this often overlooked character anew. Together we will explore Miriam's critical role in shaping our Exodus story and redefine the notion of prophecy.
Grateful to be joined by these wonderful folks in bringing together this gathering
HerTorah gathers together a diverse community of Jewish women to connect over our shared heritage, explore our collective wisdom, and elevate our communal experience in learning with and from one another.
HerTorah is directed by Rabbanit Aliza Sperling, made possible in part by support of the Aviv Foundation and The Covenant Foundation and inspired by each one of us.
Grateful for the support of The Covenant Foundation
This gathering was made possible (in part) by funds granted by The Covenant Foundation. The statements made and the views expressed, however, are solely of SVIVAH.
This gathering welcomes women* 12+ and learners of all backgrounds.
SVIVAH is dependent on the generosity of those who choose to invest in a powerful community of women. As always, cost should never be a barrier to anything SVIVAH, but if you can, please help us show respect to our speakers/facilitators for their time and expertise. www.svivah.org/donate
Questions about ZOOM or about this gathering? Email connect@svivah.org
*SVIVAH defines "Jewish woman" as anyone wishing to be included in a circle of Jewish women. If you want to be here, we want you to be here.