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I pray this way in the mornings now because I want to feel less afraid; less afraid of the places I have been and less afraid of the path ahead.

When I imagine wearing my tallit in Ferguson and afterward, I am imagining how it will help carry with me a sense of security and home—a portable home just like the sukkah. 

I have said the words of the Yom Kippur Vidui many times, always awkwardly aware that most of the list of sins did not apply to me. I never thought I would come to embrace its awkwardness, and I certainly never imagined that it could guide me toward making decisions I was afraid to make. 

Two years ago, at age 93, my father passed away suddenly and peacefully in

Whenever I teach about ritual or work with people to prepare for a life cycle transition, I always stress that what makes a ritual powerful and effective is the preparation and intention with which we approach the event.  While there is a certain “magic” to liminal moments, we cannot simply show up and experience a transformation.  The same is true for how we experience the holidays of the Jewish year. Not only must we appropriately prepare for each holiday, but we must also consider how we want to connect this year.

I was staring at my computer screen and trying to decide what in the Jewish wedding I think is particularly Jewish and what might be universal ...

"Take solace in the fact that she's in a better place now."  "Don't sit around moping after the breakup—you need to get out!" "Cheer up! It'll get better from here." "You just gotta keep busy to keep your mind off of it!" "You're doing great!" "Life goes on, you can't drop out from it forever."

My first Taharah, ritual purification, was a trial of courage for me. I stepped in with little preparation, and it was new to me.

We shared ideas for new rituals and prayers and worked together in hevrutah (with partners) to create new additions that honor, celebrate, and offer support for the experiences of transgender and genderqueer people.

Bringing people together across denominations on Shavuot study night