A Contemporary “Women of Valor” Ceremony for the Passover Seder

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A Contemporary “Women of Valor” Ceremony for the Passover Seder

This ceremony, meant to be performed before drinking the third cup of wine at the Passover seder, encourages people to honor contemporary (mostly American) Jewish “women of valor” who have made significant contributions in politics, social justice, art, science and spirituality. Structured as a script for a communal seder, this ceremony from the 1994 Columbus Ohio First Women’s Seder concludes with the blessing over the wine in both masculine and feminine God-language. This feminist ritual was posted on Ritualwell, a project of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College that provides a platform for creating new Jewish practices and observances.

The Third Cup: Contemporary Women of Valor

Reader: We now raise our third cup of wine in honor of the women of valor of our own time. Although they are the women closest to us, they are often the least recognized. Indeed, many of their names are not yet known to us. Once the swirling dust of modern history has settled, they will surely stand out in sharp relief.

All: Our generation has its full share of great Jewish women, and we raise this third cup in celebration of their achievements.

Reader: Jewish women who are powerful and progressive, like Madeline Kunin, Diane Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elizabeth Holtzman, and our many local and state politicians.

All: Jewish women who lead the struggle for liberty, like Alice Shalvi, Bella Abzug, Gloria Steinem.

Reader: Jewish women whose pens have brought enlightenment to many, like Betty Friedan, Gertrude Stein, Esther Broner, Susannah Heschel, Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Nina Totenberg, Ellen Frankel, Shulamith Firestone.

All: Jewish women whose creativity and artistry will inspire generations to come, like Stella Adler, Debbie Friedman, Barbra Streisand, Judy Chicago, Naomi Shemer.

Reader: Jewish women, among them Nobel laureates, whose brilliant achievements extend the horizon of scientific knowledge and improve the human condition, like Rosalyn Yalow, Judith Resnick, and Susan Blumenthal.

All: And so many Jewish women who spread the light of religious learning and spirituality, like Nechama Leibowitz, Blu Greenberg, Sally Priesand, Marcia Falk, Susan Weidman Schneider.

Reader: We raise the third cup and all sing:

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha’olam borei p’ri hagafen.

Blessed are You, O Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Or

B’rucha At Ya Eloheinu Ruach ha-Olam boreit p’ri hagafen.

Let us bless the Source of Life that creates the fruit of the vine.