By Lorraine Thomas Sherman
Sometimes standing up to authority when it is obviously in the wrong, is the right thing to do. Queen Vashti of Persia, mentioned in the first chapter of Megillat Esther, “may be the first recorded woman to ‘just say no!’ to a man,” notes a release from Greenburgh Hebrew Center. This unique occurrence inspired the GHC Sisterhood, in conjunction with Hadassah’s Rayim and Emma Lazarus Chapter, sharing the planning and expenses, to co-sponsor Vashti’s Banquet on January 31st.
Seeking a change from the annual Women’s Seder this year, the Sisterhood explored other ways to celebrate women in the Bible, explained Sherry Padva, President, and the story of Vashti sounded interesting.
After some research, she decided, “It was something we could do, and a fun idea that brings together all ages, which is what we want as part of an overall movement of women getting together and doing something on their own level—[reconsidering] the matriarchs of the Jewish dynasty.”
Although Vashti’s reputation has suffered, Padva believes she was given “a bad rap” because of the male Orthodox perspective “in the sense that anyone who defies the traditional female role is looked at as a bad person, when the reality is quite different.”
The story goes that when King Ahasuerus demanded Queen Vashti attend his party while she was in the midst of providing a harem banquet for women in the palace, she refused, probably supported by the other women. She was banished, and Esther was chosen to join the harem in her stead—luckily for the Jewish people. The rest is history.
The Israeli-Middle-Eastern theme literally transformed the Social Hall, thanks to the decorative talent and expertise of Betty Alvarez, Board of Trustees member, into a harem-like Bedouin tent, displaying a giant horseshoe-shaped banquet table. To achieve the atmosphere and tone of a harem, Alvarez utilized mosquito netting draped around the room, with carpets, silk pillows, lanterns, and candles, adding to the effect, “a very special nurturing of women…an empowerment of women. It should be a really interesting way of getting younger women in the congregation involved.”
Approximately 70 women guests, 14 years and up to those in their 80’s and 90’s, were encouraged to don costumes with plenty of “bling,” or jewelry, recreating the atmosphere of the time as well as creating a tremendous bond between women, an extension of GHC Sisterhood’s connection with the sisterhood of ancient Persia.
It is a bonding experience they hope to repeat next year, said Sheila Greenwald, Planning Committee. “It sounded like a different way of doing something; women getting together and celebrating being Jewish women together.” she added. There was excitement and enthusiasm evident in the RSVP’s about the affair.
Middle Eastern food including falafel, olives, and wine, catered by The Main Event, belly dancing with lessons provided by Joyce Sassoon, a congregation member, singing by Cantor Amy Kanarek, henna painting, arts and crafts projects such as making Purim groggers from water bottles, and a story-teller, were featured at the event, which Padva remarked, “was an occasion for fun and learning, too.”
