Ma'yan: The Jewish Women's Project
Our Work
Jewish Ritual and Women's Spirituality
The Ma'yan Seder
Inspired by feminist Passover seder rituals that had been created on both coasts-by Rabbis Sue Levi Elwell and Laura Geller in California and by prominent New York Jewish feminists (including Bella Abzug, Gloria Steinem, Esther Broner, and Letty Cottin Pogrebin)-Ma'yan set out to open this experience to a wider audience. The Ma'yan seder, as it came to be known, was first held in 1994 and then annually until 2005. Over the years the event expanded from one night to four consecutive evenings, drawing as many as 500 participants to each. The popularity of the seder even attracted the attention of the New York Times, which covered the event in 1999. Ma'yan seders were designed to precede Passover itself, so that attendees could take new ritual components home with them, to be incorporated into their own Passover observances. To further the dissemination of this re-envisioned seder, Ma'yan compiled and published a feminist haggadah, The Journey Continues. Now updated and in its third printing, the haggadah has been used across the United States as well as in Europe and Israel; over 40,000 copies have been distributed. In addition, an accompanying cassette of Debbie Friedman's songs (featured throughout the haggadah) was produced as well as a guide for groups wanting to host their own feminist seders.
Ritual Objects and Observances
As the success of the seder suggests, Ma'yan became a trusted source for innovative Jewish ritual for women and girls and their communities. Since the beginning, Ma'yan has hosted a wide range of ritual observance and created and helped disseminate innovative Jewish ritual objects designed to enhance tradition and increase women's access to Jewish life. By commissioning and exhibiting these creations, Ma'yan has also promoted women artists as integral participants in the development of lasting Jewish feminist ritual.
Miriam's Cup: In 1997, Ma'yan, partnering with Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, mounted the exhibition Drawing from the Source: Miriam, Women's Creativity and New Ritual. Jewish women artists were invited to create a Miriam's Cup to be placed beside the Cup of Elijah on the seder table. Miriam's Cup is filled with water and serves as a symbol of Miriam's Well, the source of water for the Israelites in the desert. Over 80 artists from around the world participated. Although Miriam's Cups have been used by women in various settings before, Ma'yan's exhibition helped bring this practice to the fore to be shared by a wider audience. Today the Miriam's Cup is a staple on many seder tables.
Ushpizot Poster: Ma'yan commissioned artist Ellen Alt to create an Ushpizot Poster to be hung in the sukkah for Sukkot. According to Jewish mystical tradition, each night of the holiday seven biblical patriarchs are invited to share the sukkah through the ritual of ushpizin - welcoming guests. In Ma'yan's new ushpizot ritual, seven extraordinary biblical women prophets are invited into the community: Sarah, Miriam, Abigail, Hannah, Huldah, Esther and Deborah. Ma'yan's colorful, laminated posters honor biblical women as they beautify sukkahs around the country.
Esther/Vashti Purim Flag: The opening exhibit of The JCC in Manhattan's Laurie Tisch Sussman Gallery in 2002 was Ma'yan's A Different Purim Sound: Waving Flags and Ringing Bells, an exhibition of Esther and Vashti Purim flags by Jewish women artists. Over 50 women were invited to create flags, many complete with bells and ribbons, to be waved when Esther's and Vashti's names are read in the Megillah (Book of Esther). As an outgrowth of this groundbreaking exhibition, we asked artist Susan Fischer Weis to adapt her work into a colorful flag that could be produced on a larger scale by Ma'yan. This Esther/Vashti Purim Flag is waved in synagogues throughout the country, and commemorates both women in the Purim story, their voices and brave deeds.
Ritual Observance: Ma'yan has a long and rich history of hosting events and workshops in observance of Jewish holidays and lifecycle events, from Tashlich to mother-daughter bat mitzvah workshops, from tallit-making to Rosh Chodesh groups.
Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the month on the Hebrew calendar is traditionally seen as a holiday for Jewish women, tracing back to it's allegorical roots as a 'a gift to Jewish women for not giving their jewelry to build the golden calf'.
Ma'yan's early morning Rosh Chodesh group has been meeting for over a decade giving women an opportunity to share a gift of time, connection, and meaningful interaction through Jewish text, song and meditation. Newcomers are always welcome to join. To learn more see the JCC program guide or call 646.505.4432.
Ritualwell.org
To make the wealth of new Jewish feminist ritual accessible to a wider audience, Ma'yan, in conjunction with Kolot: The Center for Jewish Women's and Gender Studies at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, created the website ritualwell.org. Since its launch in 2005, Ritualwell has served as an indispensible interactive resource for individuals seeking gender-sensitive contemporary life cycle and holiday ritual.
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