They made A Woman's Seder happen: (the committee, not in order) Robyn Fisher, Lynn Cromer, Ilene Efithimou, Sheryl Berrin, Carol Flicker, Karen Franco, Joan Franklin, Linda Itzkoff, Shelley Jacoby, Cantor Rachelle Nelson, Deborah Niederman, Susan Lampen, Cindy Lerner, Barbara Poliakoff, Karen Sattinger.

A total of 145 teens, elders, mothers and mothers of others shared in a beautiful and very spiritual evening of prayer, song, dancing and a retelling of the story of the exodus with a feminine twist.

Deborah Niederman, head of Beth Am's religious school and Karen Sobel, an initiator of Kol Isha -- A woman's voice for educational and spiritual opportunities at Temple Beth Am -- helped to lead the service, using Die Journey Continues Haggadah as a guide.

"This Haggadah is from the 92nd Street Y in New York City," said Sobel, the wife of Beth Am's Rabbi Terry Bookman and the mother of four boys.

"We gave our feedback on what has worked and what has not from our past Seders and now we have this beautiful creation."

According to co- chairs Robyn Fisher of Pinecrest and Coconut Grove resident Susan Lampen, every year changes are made to the Seder.

"This year, we made it lighter with a lot more song and dance," Fisher said. "The table captains have an art night, where they create the centerpieces. The first year, we made Miriam's cups, the second year we made Matzoh covers. For this event, we created Miriam's Tambourines, decorated with beautiful flowers, pearls, and writing."

In fact, the spirituality is shared by women all over the country, especially in New York where it is said that the tradition of A Woman's Seder began. Brought from Temple Judea by Kol Isha committee member Karen Franco, the event took off into a yearly Beth Am happening, an anxiously anticipated Passover tradition that women in our community look forward to.

And I can see why. With Cantor Rachelle Nelson accompanied by her twin daughters, Jackie Berney, cantor-to-be- Lisa Segal singing and playing instruments, you can't help but feel some connectedness, a spirituality, a sense of peacefulness.

As I banged my tambourine, sang and shook my maracas during the Seder, I thought of many girlfriends who would have really enjoyed this magical evening.

"Oh well," I thought, "I'll definitely take them next year."

For more information on A Woman's Seder, contact Robyn Fisher.