A Report on “DRAMA IN THE GARDEN”
By
Robert Azriel Devine
Professor Yesudah Yehudah’s much-anticipated derash (sermon) on Breishit was delivered on October 14, 2017 at Beth Shalom Hebrew Congregation in Brooklyn, New York. It came on the heels of a very glorious High Holy Day season. This close-knit Israelite community of the greater New York City area were all abuzz with anticipation. A few days earlier we celebrated Simcha Torah; on this day we were marking the beginning of a new year of Torah study starting with Genesis 1:1 and the story of creation itself. Despite the fact that this passage of scripture is very familiar to us, scholar and laymen enjoys hearing the various interpretations and ancient commentaries before offering our own opinions about the meaning of the text. As one of the highly respected female teaches in our community, Professor Y’sudah’s unique perspective on gender and culture opened the possibility to something new and exciting. All the rumbling about this lecture was due in part because we knew that Professor Y’sudah was a lioness in an academic jungle and we were hoping to hear her roar.
Following the morning service and our afternoon Kiddush meal, Professor Yesudah Yehudah graced the Mikra Kodesh (Holy coming together) packed with people of the Israelite community from all over the New York and New Jersey as well as from Chicago, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. Her analysis of the creation story was entitled “The Drama in The Garden”. Her reputation was well known to most of the audience. Professor Y’sudah conducted archeological research in Israel and anthropological studies in Uganda. She has been an adjunct professor of anthropology at the University of Phoenix, City University of New York, the Fashion Institute of Technology, and Berkley College of New York and New Jersey. She remains a distinguished professor at the Israelite Academy. In addition, She has been a speaker at many venues Including the JCC Manhattan, The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Cultures in Harlem, and at numerous synagogues.
A partial list of some of the esteemed Israelite dignitaries include Chief Rabbi Funnye of Beth Shalom Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation of Chicago Illinois. Also in attendance were Rabbi Sholomo Ben Leyy and Rabbi Shalom Yisrael, both of Beth Elohim located in St. Albans Queens. We also had Rabbi Baruch of Bnai Adath of Brooklyn New York and Rabbi Shalem Yeshuran of Congregation Or-Ami of Atlanta Georgia.
As Rabbi Yeshuran Levy, the spiritual leader of Beth Shalom, introduced Professor Yesudah to the audience the hall came to a respectable hush and Prof Yesudah began to speak softly but with authority and grace about Eve’s bold encounter with the unscrupulous and nefarious serpent. She gave a detailed account and description of the nacash (serpent) as an evil interloper who’s encounter with Eve (in the Garden of Eden) will change the course of history for all humankind, the ramifications of which are still with us today. As Professor Yesudah continued her narration, she chose her words carefully and she stated quote “Going against the Most High is a serious offense”. Those words sent a chill through the audience as we listened to her describe a story of a resilient Eve who would not only endure the “Drama in the Garden” but she would forge ahead to overcome adversity and triumph! Now suddenly against all odds, there she was holding on to what dignity she had left. With every ounce of strength, she had left she was able to still stand on her own two feet! Even after being thrown under the bus by her own husband; taking the fall for the both of them. Now she has endured to be able to proclaim……”.I am woman hear me roar!”
The impact of Professor Yesudah’s lecture was opening the eyes of everyone in the audience, as many for the first time were hearing the Creation story from a feminine perspective. Professor Yesudah offers a refreshing insight into a topic that has always been presented from a male-dominated perspective which simply states “not my fault! It was that woman you gave me.” This is the sort of comparative analysis that will make most men sheepishly embarrassed.
If you missed this event then I have good news!! You can listen to the entire lecture given by Emma Yesudah on a sound recording. Just click on the link below and enjoy!!
Todah Rabah Shalom Uveracha!!!
