As a mother of young children I often find myself attending a second reading of the megilla intended mostly for women in my position. Often the women's side of the synagogue is full, the men's side has a few (if any) attendees yet, the megilla is read by a man. This always strikes me as odd given that the halachic sources seem to allow for a women's megilla reading. Communities that are considering organizing a women's megilla reading this year may find the following resources helpful:
Women's Megilla Readings by Aryeh A. Frimer
Women and Megillah Reading by Rabbi Yehuda Henkin
Both articles address the issue of women reading the megilla for themselves which means that they depart from the communal synagogue reading. However, in the end both writers agree that there are definitely circumstances in which women can and should organize their own readings.
Moreover, JOFA is selling an interactive CD ROM with lessons by women on how to read the megilla and organize your own megilla reading.
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