What is ADVOT@Ritualwell?
An online creative community of Jewish ritual innovators, poets and liturgists who meet regularly to share work and support and empower each other to create and innovate Jewish ritual, poetry and liturgy. And this year, we’ve added fiction and memoir writing!ADVOT + Ritualwell Immersions
ADVOT membership packages (see below) include your choice of Ritualwell Immersions, our online learning experiences. Support your creative writing process, try new modalities, find inspiration, and learn from leading teachers in the Jewish writing world. Browse our Ritualwell Immersions schedule below.What does ADVOT mean?
ADVOT means “ripples” in Hebrew. RIPL (pronounced “ripple”) is the acronym of “Ritual Innovators, Poets, Liturgists,” the community we are serving and cultivating. ADVOT brings Jewish writers, poets and ritual creators together for creative support, learning and nourishment. Each member will gain the tools and confidence to share their creative gifts with their communities. This experience will have a ripple effect, inspiring Jewish creativity and leading to more vibrant, engaged Jewish communities where people feel empowered to make Judaism their own.Why did we create ADVOT?
Writing can be a solitary experience. We have heard from writers who use Ritualwell that there is a need for connection, accountability and additional ways to develop and share work with others. After meeting with regular Ritualwell readers, learners and writers, we designed ADVOT to fill this need for creative development and connection.Who is this for?
People of all backgrounds, levels of Jewish knowledge and writing experience looking to deepen their writing practice in a Jewish community.What our members are saying
I am so grateful to you for birthing this idea and creating this amazing space with these incredible neshamot.”
I'm just so impressed with the level of talent and willingness to share and support. It was really great, being seen and heard, a lot of mutual sharing and respect.”
I use the weekly writing time sometimes to just write, but also to ask for support and go into a breakout room with somebody. It’s always, somehow, exactly what I needed, and exactly what the piece needed.”
I was writing this ritual and feeling kind of stuck. I was able to hop into the writing studio in a breakout room and get feedback on the ritual. I felt so supported."
2022–23 Schedule
Weekly online writing space
Semester 1: Tuesdays, 2–3 p.m. EDT/EST (October 25 – December 27, 2022)
Semester 2: Mondays, 12–1 p.m. EST/EDT (January 9 – March 27, 2023)
Semesters 3: Wednesdays, 2–3 p.m. EST (April 19 – June 28, 2023)
Online retreats
Wednesday, January 11, 2023, 12–3 p.m. EST
Tuesday, May 30, 2023, 12–3 p.m. EDT
End-of-year celebration
Thursday, June 29, 7–8 p.m. EDT
Ritualwell Immersions Schedule
Membership Packages
#1: Dive In
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Access to weekly online sacred space to write and share work in community
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Creative connection: get matched with rotating hevruta partners
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Two online retreats
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Publication in annual print anthology
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Participation in annual public event online
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20% off all Ritualwell Immersions
#2: Make Waves
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Access to weekly online sacred space to write and share work in community
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Creative connection: get matched with rotating hevruta partners
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Two online retreats
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Publication in annual print anthology
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Participation in annual public event online
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20% off all Ritualwell Immersions
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Two Ritualwell Immersions (valued at $250 each)
#3: Dive Deep
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Access to weekly online sacred space to write and share work in community
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Creative connection: get matched with rotating hevruta partners
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Two online retreats
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Publication in annual print anthology
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Participation in annual public event online
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20% off all Ritualwell Immersions
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Four Ritualwell Immersions (valued at $250 each)
#1: Dive In
-
Access to weekly online sacred space to write and share work in community
-
Creative connection: get matched with rotating hevruta partners
-
Two online retreats
-
Publication in annual print anthology
-
Participation in annual public event online
-
20% off all Ritualwell Immersions
#2: Make Waves
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All the benefits of the “Dive in” package
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Plus two Ritualwell Immersions (valued at $250 each)
#3: Dive Deep
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All the benefits of the “Dive in” package
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Plus four Ritualwell Immersions (valued at $250 each)
What to know when applying
Registration is closed for the 2022–23 year. Please check back to this page for information on next year’s cohort.
The main criteria we are looking for are: a commitment to your creative practice (see our “brit” below), an interest in being part of a Jewish creative community, and an openness to sharing your work and giving/receiving respectful feedback. All applicants will be invited for a short Zoom interview for us to get to know you, answer your questions and ensure this program is right for you. Once accepted, your membership payment will be due to secure your spot. We can set up a monthly payment plan for you (early bird discount does not apply to monthly plans). A limited number of scholarships are available. Reach out to us at ritualwell@reconstructingjudaism.org to learn more.
ADVOT Brit (Community Pact)
When you join ADVOT, you are making a commitment to being part of a dynamic Jewish creative community. You will get the most out of the experience as an active participant. While we are all juggling life obligations, please consider if you can make the commitment to be actively involved in the community. We ask our members to commit to:
- Attend one writing studio per month (minimum)
- Meet once per month with hevruta (minimum)
- Submit writing for the annual print anthology
- Attend our two online retreats
- Participate in our annual public online event
Who are we?
Hila Ratzabi (she/her)
Director of Virtual Content & Programs, Ritualwell
Hila has been with Ritualwell since 2015, shepherding the publication of hundreds of poems, prayers and rituals and creating innovative online programming. She is passionate about sharing new ways to nurture and develop Jewish creativity. Born in Rehovot, Israel, and raised in Queens, Ratzabi is a poet, writer, editor and writing coach. Her first full-length book of poetry, There Are Still Woods, is forthcoming in September 2022 from June Road Press. She holds a BA in English/Creative Writing from Barnard College, a BA in Jewish Philosophy from the Jewish Theological Seminary (Double Degree Program, 2003), and an MFA in Poetry from Sarah Lawrence College (2007). Her poetry is published in a variety of literary journals and in The Bloomsbury Anthology of Contemporary Jewish American Poetry, and her articles have appeared in publications including The Wisdom Daily, MyJewishLearning, the Jewish Daily Forward, Kveller, Alma, and Zeek. Ratzabi lives in Oak Park, Il., outside Chicago, with her husband and two children.
Adva Chattler (she/her)
Assistant Director of Engagement and Innovation, Ritualwell
Adva Chattler is an Israeli-Mizrahi Jew, born and raised in Be’er-Sheva, Israel. She loves to create meaningful experiences through her cooking and baking that prompt sharing stories, teachings and rituals about Judaism, Israel and Mizrahi Jewish cultures and heritage. Her rituals, prayers and poems were published on Ritualwell. Adva is passionate about bringing people together in ways that spark relationship building and connecting to others on a deeper level, both in the challenging and ever-changing world of online gatherings, and in person. She holds a MA in conflict Resolution and Management from Ben Gurion University of the Negev and BA in Public Administration and Management from Sapir College in Sderot, Israel. With her experience in teaching and curriculum building, she support facilitators and presenters for Ritualwell and Reconstructing Judaism and encourage them to bring not only their best self, but best practices and tools for successful teaching online. Adva is also a mother, a food blogger (@SouthernJewishKitchens) and a foodie who lives in Del Rio, Tx., with her husband, two daughters and their dog.
