Soul of Shabbat: Writing from the Kabbalat Shabbat Liturgy

November 28, 30, December 5, 7, 12, 14, 2022
12:00–1:30 p.m. EST

Shabbat is a time of sanctity and rest that has inspired poets and liturgists for centuries. In this immersion, we’ll explore the Kabbalat Shabbat service as a doorway into writing our own prayers and poems about Shabbat. We’ll examine core themes and metaphors of Shabbat as well as related textual sources. We’ll delve into Shalom Aleichem and Lecha Dodi as well as themes of creation, light, oneg (delight), and neshamah yeteirah, the special gift of an additional “Sabbath soul.” Join poet and liturgist Alden Solovy as we use each of these themes as an invitation to create new Shabbat poetry and prayer.

Alden Solovy spreads joy and excitement for prayer. An American Israeli liturgist, lyricist, poet, author, and educator, Alden is the Liturgist-in-Residence for the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. Alden teaches prayer and spirituality throughout the world. Based in Jerusalem, his five solo books include This Grateful Heart: Psalms and Prayers for a New Day, This Joyous Soul: A New Voice for Ancient Yearnings, and the newly released This Precious Life: Encountering the Divine with Poetry and Prayer, all published by CCAR Press. A regular contributor to Ritualwell and a member of the Ritualwell Immersion faculty, his work is anthologized in more than 20 other volumes across the religious spectrum. Alden also contributes regularly to RavBlog, ReformJudaism.org, and the Times of Israel. He’s a three-time winner of the Peter Lisagor Award for Exemplary Journalism. Alden made aliyah to Jerusalem in 2012. See his work at www.tobendlight.com. Alden can be reached at alden@tobendlight.com.

All sessions will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.