Affordable Community Pesah Seder, April 12
On Wednesday, April 12, the first night of Passover, people in NYC looking for a place for a seder that is affordable, traditional, though provoking, egalitarian, and multigenerational, need look no further. From the group that brought us “free, walk-in service to meet the needs of many Jews who do not have a place to pray on the High Holidays” a few months back, Ohel Ayalah presents its second annual Passover Seder:
When?
First Night: Wednesday, April 12, 6:30 p.m.
Where?
Great Hall of First Presbyterian Church
Fifth Avenue at West 12th Street – New York City
4,5,6,N,R to Union Square; F,L to 14th Street
Cost – $30.00 – Advance reservations required.
Please bring your current photo I.D.
The seder leaders will be none other than the following fabulous women:
- Rabbi/Dr. Judith Hauptman, who has taught Talmud at JTS since 1973 (ten years before women were allowed to be ordained as rabbis in the Conservative movement), made headlines in 2002 when JTS rejected her application for rabbinic ordination, claiming that “it would be inappropriate for a faculty member to share classes with her students.” In 2003 she was ordained by the non-denominational seminary Academy for Jewish Religion . She is also the author of Rereading the Rabbis: A Woman’s Voice and has advocated for feminism and ethical halakhah within the Conservative movement.
- Juila Andelman, a fifth year rabbinical student at JTS. Last fall she became the first woman to serve as spiritual leader at the Conservative Beth Jacob Congregation in Hamilton, Ontario. Andelman is also is a former co-chair of Keshet, JTS’s gay advocacy group. Julia is a member of the Synagogue 3000 leadership network and teaches regularly at Kehilat Hadar, for whom she produced the must-have CD Pri Eitz Hadar. Juila is a supporter of Brit Tzedek V’shalom ‘s “Bring the settlers home to Israel” campaign and is on the slate for the Conservative Movement’s Zionist platform, Mercaz. If you’ve never experienced Julia lead a room of people in a beautiful melody, you have not lived.
I just went to their site; reservations are already closed.
I live in Boston, but happened to be in New York for Rosh Hashanah, staying near the church where Ohel Ayalah meets. I went there and tried to get in, but was refused; they were over the limit allowed by the fire regulations! If they’re going to be doing this on a regular basis, they need to get a larger space.
I just checked the site and went to the reservations page– there’s no indication that they’re already booked! Just hit “click here to make a reservation” and you’re all set. Chag sameach.
Well, you seem to be correct. I clicked on the link, and PayPal was ready to take accept payment. On their home page, though, it does say, “Reservations have been closed.”
I emailed Dr. Hauptman and this is the email I received back:
Yes, the Seder is still open. It sells out a few days before Pesah, judging from last year. Many people like to make up their minds at the last minute. About one-fifth has already been reserved.
JH
Please, maybe I missed something,
but where can I register for the April 12th Seder? (There are actually 6 of us wishing to go.)
Thank you, thank you,
Rhea