In the days long ago
when women were just beginning
to be rabbis, Susannah Heschel was traveling
in Florida, the Land of Oranges. One night she
spoke at a synagogue about the emerging equality
of women in Jewish life -- as rabbis, teachers
and students of Torah, synagogue presidents,
and in all other ways. After she spoke,
a man arose in wrath, red with fury.
"A woman belongs on the bimah [pulpit],"
he said, "as much as bread belongs
on the Seder plate!"
"No," said our sister Susannah;
"The teachings of women do not
violate the tradition, but renew it.
Women bring to the bimah what an
orange would bring to the Seder plate:
transformation, not transgression."
So ever since that day, we place
an orange on the Seder plate,
for it belongs there as a symbol
that women belong wherever Jews carry on a sacred life.
(From: Rabbi Arthur Waskow
Subject: Hagaddah Additions:
Why Is There an Orange on the Seder Plate?
[Add an orange to the traditional items on
the Seder plate. Then invite someone to ask
"one more question," as above,
and tell [this] story in response:]