The Telling: A Group of Extraordinary Jewish Women Journey to Spirituality Through Community And...

This is an inspiring, tender recounting of the successful efforts of a group of Israeli and American women to create their own Passover seder based on their experiences of Judaism. Broner ( A Weave of Women ), was an early organizer. The quest began in 1975 in Haifa and came to fruition the following year in a now annual women's seder held in Manhattan, attended by Gloria Steinhem, Letty Pogrebin, Bella Abzug, Grace Paley and a host of other Jewish women whose roles at the seder, as well as the food they bring, are reported here. Even the luminaries initially felt shy at this religious innovation, but they soon built a feminist and spiritual community they call the Seder Sisters. The Woman's Haggadah, written by Broner and Nimrod, an Israeli, offers rituals oriented around the wisdom and sagas of Old Testament women. (Apr.)