Purim at Stern will sound a little different this year thanks to Project Megilas Esther, an initiative to introduce women’s kriyat hamegilah on the Beren campus. The team spearheading the project includes students Rivka Hia (’16), Renana Nerwen (’15), Jordy Bernstein (’14), Ariella Rothchild (’14) and, at the helm, Sarah Robinson (’15). Robinson describes the project as “an amazing opportunity to play a part in a beautiful mitzvah and engage in the halachic process.”
Though there have been women’s megilah readings in Stern the past, Project Megilas Esther is unique in that almost half of the readers have never read megilah before and that instead of outsourcing the kriyah teaching to members of the NYC communities, as has been done in the past, the Megilas Esther project will train readers in several sessions led by Robinson.
Project Megilas Esther aims for the highest standards in kriyah, reciting of the ancient text, by training female readers to not only know the teamim (signs), but also to learn the system of proper pronunciations required to fulfill the mitzvah of kriyat hamegilah. To ensure that readers can distinguish between the various sounds as necessary, they will spend hours preparing their perakim (portions), after which they will be tested for reading accuracy.
“Project Megilas Esther is a huge undertaking,” Robinson explains. “It entails teaching a four-part course on the teamim and how to properly read the megilah for a kosher reading. It involves finding and testing readers. Stern currently does not own a megilah, so it also involves finding someone who is willing to lend their family’s megilah.”
Even with all of the logistical challenges, Robinson says that the project’s chief priority is the quality of the reading. “The most important thing is that we have the most li’chatchilah (ideal) reading of Megilas Esther,” Robinson says. “This is why we demand that our readers be careful about every shevah nah and shevah nach (symbols in the text). These measures are ideal when reading scripture in general but are absolutely necessary when reading a megilah.”
To further ensure halachic correctness, the project has consulted with Rabbi Dr. Jeremy Weider, Rosh Yeshiva and authority at YU on proper kriyat hamegilah.
Through all the training and pre-Purim preparation, Project Megilas Esther hopes to elevate the Purim experience at Stern. “I can only speak from my personal experience,” said Robinson. “Ever since I began reading megilah, my Purim has become much more meaningful.”
All women are welcome to attend the reading on Purim night, motzei Shabbos March 15th.