Rosh Hodesh program participants explore Miriam

To welcome in the Hebrew month of Nisan, women across the Jewish community gathered for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island’s bi-annual Rosh Hodesh program, held on April 4. This teaching and learning event featured an interactive discussion with Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman, senior Rabbi at Temple Beth-El in Providence.  Those in attendance explored Pesach themes, including a focus on the Passover heroine, Miriam, and her connection to water.

Women shared their thoughts on how Miriam is portrayed in the Passover story, questioned why she led the celebration after the parting of the Red Sea, examined the role of women in the resistance against Egypt, and explored Miriam’s relationship with her male siblings, Moses and Aaron.

Voss-Altman was welcomed by Rosh Hodesh Committee Chair Maybeth Lichaa, who shared an anecdote about the essential work of the Alliance’s programs and services, and the true impact made by every campaign contribution, regardless of amount.

Lichaa also related a personal story about a friend in need who recently was assisted through the AccessJewishRI initiative with utmost dignity and support from the Alliance’s professional team. The team members made meaningful and personalized connections to support Lichaa’s friend and met the needs of the individual in a confidential but timely way. As Lichaa said, “We never know when we, our family, or our friends will be the ones who need support.”

The Alliance hosts two Rosh Hodesh programs each year. The next program will take place at the Dwares Jewish Community Center, Providence, in the fall of 2017.

For information on Rosh Hodesh or how you may contribute to the Annual Campaign, contact Danielle Germanowski at dgermanowski@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 109. 

For more information on AccessJewishRI and the array of community services and support available, please visit http://accessjewishri.org or call 401-421-4111, ext. 411.

STEPHANIE HAGUE is the philanthropy officer at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.