Blog

Two Fathers Grieving
By Alden Solovy
July 19, 2016
When I made aliyah to
It Could Have Been Me
By Rabbi Nathan Weiner
July 6, 2016
It could have been me. I could have retreated to the safe space of a gay bar or club in order to dance with a man, to hold his hand, to kiss him in safety. One of my safe havens, a safe space for LGBT people like me, has come under attack. My lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender brothers and sisters have been killed. And it could have been me. 
Song of Songs: Composing a New Ancient Love Song for Two Women
By Alexander Massey
June 27, 2016
When my friends Ella and Natasha were getting married, I wanted to offer them music for their wedding based on traditional biblical text. The challenge was that there was, of course, no explicit biblical narrative of a same-sex marriage. 
The Rhythm of Wonder: A Prayer for Radical Amazement
By Alden Solovy
June 9, 2016
You are standing on a star. The winds of creation blow through you. Of course, this is neither literally true nor scientifically accurate. Yet, these quirky statements are an invitation to living with radical amazement, a core teaching of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.
Counting the Omer: An Artistic Practice
By D'vorah Horn
June 8, 2016
For seven consecutive years I have created a painting based upon a practice known as “Counting the Omer.”  
The Heart of Pride: Be Who You Are
By Rabbi Rachel Weiss
June 2, 2016
I believe that the heart of Pride has to do with love. In the midst of the book of Leviticus we find the three words: “v’ahavtah l’re’akha camokha”—You shall love your fellow as yourself.
Living in Two Civilizations
By Alex Rubin
June 2, 2016
Camp is a microcosm of an ideal Jewish, American life. There, we celebrate both American and Jewish holidays, we are able to connect to each other socially and spiritually, and even when participating in a “secular” activity, we are still learning and exhibiting Jewish values. For example when playing sports, we treat each other fairly and respect our teammates and opponents. When we are working on an art project, we are sharing our materials with friends and beautifying the world.
A Reflection on Mental Health Awareness Month
By Kami Knapp
May 31, 2016
As you may have noticed, this month Ritualwell featured guest blog posts for Mental Health Awareness Month. You might wonder why an organization devoted to ritual would choose to address this topic. Mental illness affects us all, and Jewish communities in particular are failing to support those struggling with their mental health issues. In many communities, particularly in the Jewish community, we do not discuss mental illness often, let alone acknowledge it through ritual. 
A Place Where You Belong: Jewish Healing Circles
By Rabbi Malkah Binah Klein
May 12, 2016
The first time I participated in a prayer service in a circle I felt awkward and uncomfortable. It felt exposed—everyone could see me. For me, prayer is a private matter. Indeed, one of the highlights during my years after college studying in
Becoming a Mental Health Advocate
By Efrem Epstein
May 12, 2016
How can the Jewish community be more accessible to those affected by mental health issues?

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