The Wise One, What Does She Say?": Gendering and Queering Passover Symbols and Customs in the Reform Jewish Seder

התנועה הרפורמית חגים טקסים יהדות ישראלית מגדר מסורת וחידוש פסח

This ethnographic study examines how Reform Jewish communities in Israel "gender" and "queer" the traditional Passover Seder to make it more inclusive of marginalized identities. Focusing on a pre-Seder workshop, the author explores how participants reinterpret classical symbols - such as the "Four Children" - and introduce new customs like "Miriam’s Cup" or placing an orange on the Seder plate.The research demonstrates that these ritual innovations are not merely aesthetic changes but profound theological moves that challenge the patriarchal and heteronormative nature of the traditional Haggadah. By incorporating feminine language and LGBTQ+ narratives into the Seder, the community creates a "representational performance" that aligns Jewish heritage with contemporary liberal values. Ultimately, Ben-Lulu argues that this process allows individuals to find personal meaning and a sense of belonging within the Jewish tradition.