BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ritualwell - ECPv6.15.19//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://ritualwell.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Ritualwell REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20220313T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20221106T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20230312T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20231105T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231026T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231026T133000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20230805T140021Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230823T165230Z UID:19503-1698321600-1698327000@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Brit Beyond Milah: Exploring Baby-Welcoming Rituals DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, October 26\, 2023 \n12-1:30 p.m. EDT \nJoin us for a fascinating discussion of baby-welcoming rituals. How might we sanctify and honor the traditional brit (covenant) in ways that offer alternatives to traditional milah (circumcision)? What would it look like to welcome baby boys into the covenant without circumcision? Together we will explore issues involved in deciding to circumcise or not to circumcise\, including personal experiences around this decision and alternative rituals to circumcision. Ritualwell welcomes the variety of opinions shared by the speakers and supports an open discussion. We seek not to endorse any particular view on this topic but to provide support and a welcoming space for the evolving traditions of the Jewish communities around us. We invite the audience to take part in a facilitated Q&A and to be inspired to create personal rituals that support their own Jewish life and expression. Rabbi Elyse Wechterman will share her views and journey as a mother and Rabbi; Max DuBoff and Lisa Braver Moss will describe the founding and activities of the organization Bruchim: Opting Out of Circumcision; and Rabbi Haviva Ner-David will discuss her experience navigating and helping spiritual companion clients make a decision\, as well as her latest novel\, To Die in Secret\, which explores this decision as well. All sessions will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience. \nRabbi Elyse Wechterman is the CEO of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association. She has taught at the college and adult level in many settings and worked broadly with children and families with special needs to create inclusive communities for Jews of all abilities and backgrounds. She also previously worked for the national Reconstructionist movement as Director of Congregational Services and consulted with congregations throughout the movement on governance\, growth\, decision making and other congregational issues. Her article\, “A Plea for Inclusion\,” arguing for the welcoming and inclusion of families questioning or opting-out of brit milah in Jewish communities\, was published in The Covenant of Circumcision: New Perspective on an Ancient Jewish Rite (edited by Elizabeth Wymer Mark) in 2004. Her Brit Atifayh (Covenant of Wrapping) on Ritualwell has been widely used since its creation in 1995. \n  \n  \nMax DuBoff is a PhD candidate in Philosophy and Classics at Yale University researching various topics in philosophical bioethics. As Director of Education for Bruchim\, Max helps create resources in a variety of media to facilitate engagement with Jewish perspectives on circumcision. Max is the lead author of the recent paper “B’rit Shalom: A Jewish Ritual Alternative to Newborn Male Circumcision\,” published in a special issue of the International Journal of Impotence Research on child genital cutting. Max is passionate about the intersection between Jewish law and practice and bioethics. \n  \n  \n  \n  \nRabbi Dr. Haviva Ner-David is a rabbi and writer. She is the rabbinic founder of Shmaya: A Mikveh for Mind\, Body\, and Soul\, the only mikveh in Israel open to all to immerse as they choose. Ordained as both a rabbi and an interfaith minister\, certified as a spiritual companion (with a specialty in dreamwork)\, and holding a doctorate on mikveh from Bar Ilan University\, she offers mikveh guidance and spiritual companioning for individuals and couples and mikveh workshops and talks for groups. She is the author of three spiritual journey memoirs\, two novels\, and the first and only children’s book on mikveh. She lives in Israel on Kibbutz Hannaton\, is the mother of seven children\, a teacher and lives with FSHD\, a genetic muscular disease\, which has been her biggest life challenge. \n  \n  \n  \n  \nLisa Braver Moss is President and co-founder of Bruchim\, a nonprofit that helps find welcoming Jewish communities for families opting out of circumcision. She is the author of several books including The Measure of His Grief (Notim Press\, 2010)\, the first novel to tackle the Jewish circumcision conundrum. Her first essay on this topic appeared in a 1990 issue of Tikkun; since that time\, she has published dozens of articles about Jewish circumcision. Additionally\, Lisa is co-author of Celebrating Brit Shalom (Notim Press\, 2015)\, the first-ever book of ceremonies and music for Jewish families seeking alternatives to the traditional bris. Born in Berkeley\, California\, Lisa still lives in the area with her husband\, with whom she has two grown sons and two young grandsons.\n\n \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/brit-beyond-milah-exploring-baby-welcoming-rituals/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Free,Standalone session ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/black-and-white-photo-of-newborn-baby-feet-standing-in-open-adult-hands-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231102T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231102T133000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20230805T160135Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230823T151028Z UID:19393-1698926400-1698931800@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Writing Our Aging Selves DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, November 2\, 2023 \n12-1:30 p.m. EDT \nThere are so many new things to pray about as we age! Our memory\, skin\, mobility\, and hair color have all changed\, developed\, and evolved slowly and noticeably. We accumulate wisdom and peel away shame\, caring less about what the world thinks of us and more about what we think about ourselves and the changing world around us. Join instructor Trish Arlin to design your own prayers and rituals of gratitude\, worry\, anger and hope for the life that is unfolding before you. Write\, reflect and share your creative self with the Ritualwell community in this free\, open for all session. No prior writing experience is required. \nAll sessions will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience. \nTrisha Arlin is a liturgist\, writer\, performer\, and student of prayer in Brooklyn\, NY. She has served as a liturgist\, scholar\, and artist in residence and taught for venues including the National Havurah Committee’s Summer Institute\, Ritualwell.org\, Haggadot.com\, and for synagogues around the country. She is a builder of Bayit’s Liturgical Arts project. Trisha received a BA in Theater from Antioch College in 1975 and an MFA in Film (Screenwriting) in 1997 from Columbia University. In 2009/2010\, Trisha was an Arts Fellow at the Drisha Institute. In 2011\, she graduated from the sixth cohort of the Davennen Leadership Training Institute (DLTI). Trisha’s liturgy has been used in services\, for ritual occasions\, and at venues of many denominations nationwide. She is the author of Place Yourself: Words of Poetry and Intention (a collection of liturgy and kavannot). Her work has appeared in a variety of journals\, siddurim\, and collections of liturgy and can be found online at TrishaArlin.com\, Ritualwell.org\, and opensiddur.org. URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/writing-our-aging-selves/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free,Standalone session ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/TrishaArlin_WritingOurAgingSelves_Nov2023_raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231207T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231207T133000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20230805T140058Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231117T143145Z UID:19399-1701950400-1701955800@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Light the World: Dancing in Community for Hanukkah DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, December 7\, 2023 \n12 – 1:30 p.m. EST \n \nEvery person must know and understand\nThat a candle burns deep within them\,\nAnd their candle is unlike their friend’s\nAnd no person without a candle exists.\nAnd every person must know and understand\nThat they must strive to uncover\nThe light of the candle publicly\nAnd light it into a great torch\nAnd light the whole world\n–Rav Abraham Isaac Kook \nIn this FREE session\, we’ll welcome Hanukkah through the Nia movement practice. We’ll bring the light of community into the world to music by Matisyahu\, Erran Baron Cohen\, Divahn\, Noa\, and Balkan Beat Box\, followed by prompts for reflection and writing. \nNia is based on the philosophy that everyone can enhance their potential for a healthy\, meaningful life by engaging their senses and listening compassionately to their bodies. It is adaptable to individual needs and abilities. Its core principle is finding your body’s joy of movement\, whether that’s swaying gently in a chair or stomping up a sweat. \nWhat you’ll need \n\nClear a space so you have room to move. However\, Nia can also be done seated.\nNia is low-impact and designed to be done barefoot. But it’s fine to wear tennis or jazz-dance shoes if that’s best for you.\nHave writing materials at hand. You may want art materials\, as well.\n\nAll sessions will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience. \n  \nJanice Steinberg (she/her) holds a Black Belt in the Nia dance-fitness practice and has been teaching for 15 years. Last spring\, she offered an Omer Nia program through Ritualwell. She is the author of the novel The Tin Horse (Random House) and a five-book mystery series published by Berkley. \n  \n  \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/light-the-world-a-nia-dance-party-for-hanukkah/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Free,Standalone session ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/hand-holding-string-lights-on-beach-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240108T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240108T133000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20231128T161129Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231229T140200Z UID:22378-1704715200-1704720600@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Writing Poetry in the Shadow of War DESCRIPTION:At all times but especially in a time of war and grief\, we need literature to remind us of what it means to be human\, what justice demands\, where our struggles and conflicts\, our strengths and hopes reside.In this Ritualwell event\, we will see how other poets have responded to disasters and conflicts Jews have faced and are facing. We will see how poets including Marcela Sulak and Bob Hicok are responding to the Israel-Hamas War and the resurgence in antisemitism and also look at poetry from the Holocaust. In between these readings and discussions of the poems\, you will write your own poems based on prompts that will help you shape your thoughts. This experience is all about finding a way through poetry to express ourselves in this critical time. \nThis session will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience. \n  \n \nLynn Levin is a poet and writer. She is the author of nine books\, most recently\, her debut collection of short stories House Parties (2023). Widely published as a poet\, Levin’s five poetry collections include The Minor Virtues (2020); Miss Plastique (2013)\, a Next Generation Indie Book Awards finalist in poetry; Fair Creatures of an Hour (2009)\, a Next Generation Indie Book Awards finalist in poetry; Imaginarium (2005)\, a finalist for Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award; and A Few Questions about Paradise (2000). She is co-author\, with Valerie Fox\, of Poems for the Writing: Prompts for Poets (2019\, 2013)\, a Next Generation Indie Book Awards finalist in writing/publishing. She is the translator\, from the Spanish\, of Birds on the Kiswar Tree (2014)\, poems by the Peruvian Andean poet Odi Gonzales. Levin is also the producer/director of the 2017 video documentary Life on the Napo River: A Glimpse of the Ecuadoran Amazon\, Its People\, and Their Traditions. \nShe lives in Bucks County\, Pennsylvania and teaches English and creative writing at Drexel University\, where she received the Adjunct Award for Teaching Excellence. For many years\, she taught creative writing at the University of Pennsylvania. URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/writing-poetry-in-the-shadow-of-war/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Free,Standalone session ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Lynn-Levin-by-Melina-Meshako-edit-11Nov22.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240111T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240328T123000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20231025T201303Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240321T230909Z UID:21844-1704974400-1711629000@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Holding Each Other DESCRIPTION:Two is better than one…for should they fall one can lift the other.\n–Ecclesiastes 9-10\nWe are here. We’re in this challenging time together. \nRitualwell invites you for a weekly meeting time where we will lift each other up with prayer\, song and creative prompts. Join us every Thursday from 12-12:30pm EST \nBring pen and paper– each week a different poet/liturgist will lead us in an expressive prompt. Pour out your feelings in words\, images\, doodles or whatever works best for you. We look forward to seeing you. Invite a friend or loved one who might appreciate this comforting space. \nUpcoming Date: March 28th \nGuest speaker: Tiferet Welch \n \n  \nTiferet Welch is a poet whose work is inspired by kabbalah. She writes: “My poetry is\, I hope\, steeped in modern Jewish mysticism and draws on the arc of Torah and deeply felt personal experience to create a sensuous and sensual swirl of living in and through the four worlds\, especially in the time of the pandemic\, the death of my mother\, and sadly\, post October 7th. Exploring the parshiot by way of the sages\, drawing out the kaballistic essence\, mining the subterranean allusions of the Hebrew letters and binding them all within the personal\, the poems form a chronicle of this liminal time.” \n  \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/holding-each-other-israel-on-our-heart/2024-01-11/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240201T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240201T133000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20231221T151320Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231221T151320Z UID:22828-1706788800-1706794200@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:The Golden Shovel: Digging in Text for New Meaning DESCRIPTION:Thursday February 1\, 2024\n12-1:30 p.m. EST\n \nTo receive the spiritual impact of our traditional texts\, sometimes we need to turn the words upside down and inside out. In this workshop\, we will use poetic forms and techniques to bypass the logical brain and discover new levels of meaning and insight in verses from the Torah. Join Tzivia Gover in this generative workshop and learn to create a Golden Shovel poem—with a twist. The poems that results\, like a shirt that’s been turned inside out\, will reveal new patterns beneath the familiar ones.\nNo previous experience writing poetry is necessary! You will receive step-by-step guidance and support as you learn inventive ways to approach and adapt this poetic form. You can bring 1-3 verses to work with\, or use the ones that will be provided. Everyone is welcome\, whether you consider yourself a poet or not\, and no matter your familiarity with traditional texts.\n \nThe session will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n \nTzivia Gover is the author of ‘Dreaming on the Page: Tap into Your Midnight Mind to Supercharge Your Writing’\, and other books about dreams\, writing\, and everyday joy. She is the creator of ‘The Life of H: Sarah\, Reimagined’ an online poetry project. The founder of 350 Dreamers\, an online international community dreaming for global healing in this time of climate crisis\, Tzivia is a board member of the International Association for the Study of Dreams and a past Director at the Institute for Dream Studies. Tzivia is a Certified Dreamwork Professional and a Certified Proprioceptive Writing Instructor. She has her MFA in writing from Columbia University\, and has taught in college and community settings domestically and abroad. Learn more at www.thirdhousemoon.com and https://tziviagover.substack.com.\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/the-golden-shovel-digging-in-text-for-new-meaning/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/TziviaGover_TheGoldenShovel_Feb2024-Raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240213T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240213T133000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20231219T224810Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231221T205605Z UID:22630-1707825600-1707831000@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Disability Wisdom and Knowing Ourselves Whole DESCRIPTION:Tuesday\, February 13\, 2024 \n12-1:30 p.m. EST \nIn recognition of Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month and our ongoing commitment to disability inclusion and advocacy\, we are delighted to bring the Ritualwell community the opportunity for learning and reflection with scholar and activist Rabbi Julia Watts Belser. In this session\, Rabbi Belser will lead us in interactive text study with a spiritual focus. We’ll begin by grappling with questions about reimagining the nexus of disability\, beauty\, and belonging—and then explore micro practices for loving our own bones. What tiny gestures and small reorientations might we use to nourish and sustain ourselves and each other\, as we navigate an ableist world? \nThe session will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience. \nRabbi Julia Watts Belser (she/her) is a scholar\, spiritual teacher\, and longtime activist for disability\, LGBTQ\, and gender justice. She is a professor of Jewish Studies in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Georgetown University and core faculty in Georgetown’s Disability Studies Program. She’s also an avid wheelchair hiker\, a devoted gardener\, and a lover of wild places.  Her latest book is Loving Our Own Bones: Disability Wisdom and the Spiritual Subversiveness of Knowing Ourselves Whole. \n  \n  \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/disability-wisdom-and-knowing-ourselves-whole/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/RabbiJuliaWattsBelser_DisabilityWisdon_Feb2-24-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240410T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240410T133000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20240130T204244Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240328T201438Z UID:23220-1712750400-1712755800@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:This is My Jewish Heart DESCRIPTION:Wednesday\, April 10\, 2024\n12-1:30 p.m. EDT\n \n\n“But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart\, that I may multiply My signs and marvels in the land of Egypt” –Exodus 7:3\n \nIt is now known that trauma is stored in the body and that the heart\, in particular holds onto grief\, sadness\, shame and ancestral loss. No other biblical story focuses more on the heart than the provocative story of Va’eira when Pharoah’s heart is hardened against the plight of the Jewish people as we suffer and fight for freedom from slavery. Poet\, performer\, and holistic health coach Corie Feiner will lead a discussion on this parsha\, our relationship to our own hearts\, and introduce a guided poetry writing exercise where we will write the stories of our hearts and make our way from a narrow place of anxiety and pain towards inner and outer liberation. Included in this workshop will be breathwork\, movement\, and supplemental text from the poet\, Dorriane Laux. Seasoned writers and those new to writing are welcome to join.\n \nThe session will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n \n\n\n \nCorie Feiner is the Poet Laureate Emeritus of Bucks County\, PA and an award-winning poet\, performer and educator called “wonderful” by The New York Times and “absorbing” by Backstage Magazine. She is the author of the poetry book\, Radishes into Roses and the children’s book Who Was Born at Home. Dedicated to embodied Judaism\, she has been commissioned to perform her inspiring\nJewish poetry and psalms for synagogues and peace organizations across the world. For the past ten years she has been a dedicated homebirthing\, homeschooling\, cook from scratch tiger mama\, whose latest project\, A Poem for Every Pose arose out of her at-home yoga practice and her belief that inner strength and inner peace are essential for creating a more peaceful world. You can learn more about Corie and and her current projects by subscribing to her Substack at: https://coriefeiner.substack.com\n \n\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/this-is-my-jewish-heart/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Free END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240417T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240417T140000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20240404T191423Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240408T172028Z UID:24108-1713358800-1713362400@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Moses\, A Stranger Among Us: A Conversation with Rabbi Maurice Harris DESCRIPTION:Wednesday\, April 17\, 2024 \n1-2:00 p.m. EDT\n \nIn his book\, Moses: A Stranger among Us\, Rabbi Maurice Harris leads us to look beyond familiar and popular portrayals of Moses so that we can discover the Moses whose lesser-known attributes and experiences provide us with surprisingly fresh ethical and spiritual guidance. You may have seen Rabbi Harris sharing his perspective about Moses on Netflix’s new docudrama series\, Testament: The Story of Moses.\n\n \nNow\, you have an opportunity to ask your questions about this complex prophet with Rabbi Harris himself! Join us for a conversation between Ritualwell’s Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer and Rabbi Harris\, focused on understanding Moses through traditional religious interpretations\, academic Bible scholarship\, psychological and sociological analysis\, feminist readings\, and more. Participants will have the chance to ask questions\, join the conversation and write your own creative midrash about Moses’ legacy.\n \nWe’ll draw names of everyone who joins us and raffle off two autographed copies of Moses: A Stranger among Us! \n \nThe session will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n \n \n\nOrdained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2003\, Rabbi Maurice Harris is Associate Director for Thriving Communities and Israel Affairs Specialist at Reconstructing Judaism. Previously\, Maurice served as Associate Rabbi and Head of School at Temple Beth Israel in Eugene\, OR. Maurice is the author of three books: Moses: A Stranger Among Us (2012)\, Leviticus: You Have No Idea (2013)\, and The Forgotten Sage: Rabbi Joshua ben Hananiah and the Birth of Judaism as We Know It (2019)\, all from Cascade Books. He blogs at theaccidentalrabbi.substack.com.\n \n \n \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/moses-a-stranger-among-us-a-conversation-with-rabbi-maurice-harris/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Moses-A-Stranger-Among-Us.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240625T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240625T203000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20240405T203338Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240523T181202Z UID:24003-1719342000-1719347400@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Climate Emotions and the Wisdom Our Bodies Carry DESCRIPTION:Tuesday\, June 25\, 2024\n7-8:30 p.m. EDT \nOur emotional reactions to the climate crisis are highly individual\, and shaped by our personalities\, resources\, circles of care\, the news and media we absorb—and by inherited ways of thinking about the future. In this trauma-informed workshop\, led by climate change chaplain Rabbi Ora Nitkin-Kaner\, we will cast a gentle light on our climate emotions\, and deepen our awareness of how they show up in our hearts and bodies. Learn how our reactions to climate change may be shaped by our ancestors’ experiences\, and how we can expand our capacity for ease\, connection\, and action in this moment. \nThis session will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience. \n \nRabbi Ora Nitkin-Kaner is a meditation teacher\, climate change chaplain\, and educator who leads with warmth\, curiosity\, gentle humor\, and compassion. Over the past 15 years\, she has worked in prisons\, hospitals\, and congregations to steady folks through hard times. \nExploring Apocalypse is an extension of her rabbinic and pastoral care work (Reconstructionist Rabbinical College\, 2016)\, and is shaped by additional professional trainings in Climate Psychology (California Institute of Integral Studies\, 2022)\, Clinical Pastoral Education (East Jefferson General Hospital\, 2017 and Bellevue Hospital\, 2013)\, and certified yoga and meditation teacher training (Yoga Sanctuary Academy\, 2011)\, as well as graduate work in intergenerational trauma narratives (University of Toronto\, 2008). \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/climate-emotions-and-the-wisdom-our-bodies-carry/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/OraNitkinKaner_ClimateEmotions_June2024-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240627T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240627T203000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20240520T212012Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240520T212200Z UID:24647-1719514800-1719520200@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Advot End-of-Year Celebration and Poetry Reading DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, June 27\, 2024\n7-8:30 p.m. EDT\n \n\n\n\nJoin us for an evening dedicated to celebrating the contributions of our Advot@Ritualwell members and the unveiling of our third anthology showcasing their creations. Advot@Ritualwell serves as an online community for Jewish writers to learn\, connect\, and collaborate\, providing a platform for mutual support in what can often be a solitary journey. Members bring their diverse backgrounds and expertise to share\, co-create\, and inspire one another. This event is their opportunity to showcase their work to you. Show your support by attending! Registrants will receive a 15% discount on their purchase of the anthology. \n\n\n\nThe members of our ADVOT community include: Elliott batTzedek\, Elizabeth Caplun\, Alex Carter\, Cathleen Cohen\, Audrey Cohn-Ganz\, Muriel Dance\, Batya Diamond\, Tzivia Gover\, Joanne Greene\, Judith Kerman\, Rabbi Janet Madden\, Mandie McGlynn\, Yael Navid\, Rabbi Taylor Poslosky\, Melissa Rosen\, Anne Schulman\, Janice Steinberg\, Cantor Karen Webber and McKenzie Wren\,\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/advot-end-of-year-celebration-and-poetry-reading/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:ADVOT,Event,Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Advot-EOY-Celebratation-2024-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240812T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240812T130000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20240726T181620Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240726T181620Z UID:26433-1723464000-1723467600@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:ADVOT@Ritualwell Open House DESCRIPTION:Monday\, August 12\, 2024\n12-1 p.m. EDT\n \n\n \nNow more than ever\, Jewish writers and other creatives need a nurturing home to encourage each other and uplift each other’s creative work.\n \n\n\nJoin us for an open house to learn about ADVOT@Ritualwell\, a creative home for poets\, liturgists\, ritual creators\, songwriters\, and other Jewish artists. Meet fellow writers\, learn more about ADVOT & engage in a creative writing prompt! learn more about ADVOT here.\n\n \n \n \n \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/advotritualwell-open-house/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:ADVOT,Event,Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Lets-Get-to-Know-ADVOT@Ritualwell-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240909T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240909T133000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20240729T172024Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240815T191844Z UID:26348-1725883200-1725888600@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Reading and Writing the Mourner's Kaddish DESCRIPTION:Monday\, September 9\, 2024\n12-1:30 p.m. EDT\n \nIt has been noted that the Mourner’s Kaddish is not explicitly about death or loss; rather\, on the surface\, it appears to be a prayer of praise and exaltation. But what is the relationship between grief and praise? Who is the Mourner’s Kaddish for? What have been our own experiences of this prayer? Join us for a special Elul program where we get inside the structure of one of Judaism’s most powerful and enigmatic prayers\, examining some of the context and history of this liturgy and then mapping and writing our own versions.\n \nThis event will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n \nRabbi Joshua Boettiger is Jewish Chaplain and Visiting Assistant Professor of Humanities at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson\, New York. He is the current Rosh Yeshiva for the Center for Contemporary Mussar and for the last decade\, directed the Mussar program at Temple Emek Shalom in Ashland\, Oregon. Joshua also teaches Jewish Meditation and co-leads silent retreats. He holds an MFA in creative writing from Pacific University and his poetry has appeared in the Missouri Review\, the Southern Review\, B O D Y\, and elsewhere.\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/reading-and-writing-the-mourners-kaddish/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240916T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240916T133000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20240729T172110Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240829T200134Z UID:26344-1726488000-1726493400@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Reading and Writing Mi Shebeirach Le'Holim\, the Jewish Prayer for Healing DESCRIPTION:Monday\, September 16\, 2024\n12-1:30 p.m. EDT\n \nIn another special Elul event\, we will study the origins of Judaism’s central healing prayer; reading between the lines in an effort to discover its theological underpinnings\, and how/when/why it has been utilized historically. What does the Mi Shebeirach teach us about how Judaism understands healing? Are there risks in saying it or not saying it? We will also and craft and share our own original versions of this healing prayer.\n \nThis event will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n \nRabbi Joshua Boettiger is Jewish Chaplain and Visiting Assistant Professor of Humanities at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson\, New York. He is the current Rosh Yeshiva for the Center for Contemporary Mussar and for the last decade\, directed the Mussar program at Temple Emek Shalom in Ashland\, Oregon. Joshua also teaches Jewish Meditation and co-leads silent retreats. He holds an MFA in creative writing from Pacific University and his poetry has appeared in the Missouri Review\, the Southern Review\, B O D Y\, and elsewhere.\n \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/reading-and-writing-mi-shebeirach-lecholim/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Reading-and-Writing-the-Mourners-Kaddish-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241007T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241007T130000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20240725T154729Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240829T201020Z UID:26116-1728302400-1728306000@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:A Day of Memory: Holding Each Other on October 7th\, 2024 DESCRIPTION:Monday\, October 7th\n12-1:00 p.m. EDT\n \nNow more than ever\, we need each other. Our community meets every Monday for “Holding Each Other\,” a 15-minute online minyan\, but on October 7th\, we’ll gather for an hour of grieving\, praying and sharing.\n \nOur guest facilitators are two beloved Ritualwell facilitators who live in Israel: Rabbi Haviva Ner-David and Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein. They will each share about their experiences and perspectives from the last year and lead us in opportunities for creative expression.\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/holding-each-other-2024-10-07/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Holding-Each-Other-24-25-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241021T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241021T121500 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20240725T154729Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240924T142727Z UID:26118-1729512000-1729512900@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Holding Each Other DESCRIPTION:Every Monday\, 12-12:15 p.m. EDT\n \nNow more than ever\, we need each other.\n \n\nEvery Monday\, join “Holding Each Other\,” a 15-minute online minyan\, facilitated by a leading Ritualwell contributor.  Together\, we’ll recite Mourners’ Kaddish and Mi Shebeirach\, the prayer for healing. To foster our spiritual resilience\, we’ll engage with a brief creative meditation.\n\n \n\nOn October 21st\, a few days before the holiday of Shemini Atzeret\, our special guest leader will be Rabbi Deborah Waxman. Rabbi Waxman will lead us in grieving\, praying and sharing as we mark the anniversary of the Hebrew date of the tragic Hamas attacks.\n \nGather your strength and provide support to others.\n\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/holding-each-other-2024-10-21/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Holding-Each-Other-24-25-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241107T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241107T133000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20240726T155116Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241014T135943Z UID:25970-1730980800-1730986200@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Compassionate Ink: Promoting Caregivers' Well-being through Writing DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, November 7\, 2024\n12-1:30 p.m. EST\n \n\nRitualwell is proud to partner again with Sharsheret during Caregivers’ Awareness Month for poetry\, prose\, and writing surrounding the caregiving experience. Focused on healing and support from the stress of this difficult role\, we will find refuge in expressing our emotions through writing. During our time together there will be an opportunity for everyone to begin writing something personally meaningful and healing through our writing prompts. This session will focus on writing and ritual as a means of healing\, which has been studied as an effective way to heal from both physical and emotional trauma. There will be time for sharing your own new writing from the session\, something that you have already written before\, or come to listen to others.\n \nNo previous writing experience necessary–our focus is on the power of expressing personal stories. This session is open to all\, no matter who you are supporting\, or why they may need support. Please feel free to invite friends\, loved ones\, and anyone you think will need this kind of support.\n\n \nThis event will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n\n \n\nMelissa K. Rosen\, two-time cancer survivor\, current caregiver\, and a member of the ADVOT writing community. She is the Director of Training and Education at Sharsheret: The Jewish Breast and Ovarian Cancer Community.\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/compassionate-ink-promoting-caregivers-wellbeing-through-writing/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/CompassionateInk_MelissaRosen_Nov2024-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241114T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241114T150000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20241031T190003Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241101T150341Z UID:28509-1731592800-1731596400@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Braided Together: 'Take Challah' Ritual in Community DESCRIPTION:Wednesdays\, November 14 and December 12\, 2024\n2:00-3:00 p.m. EST  \n\nWhen was the last time you came together with friends or family to prepare a meal? Perhaps to bake bread? Picture everyone gathered around a table\, crafting beautifully braided dough with delightful aromas\, sharing stories filled with laughter and even a few tears. The warmth of connection and belonging\, not just from the oven\, has been lacking in our lives as we’ve drifted away from our Jewish communities and intimate family circles due to various life circumstances. However\, it doesn’t have to remain this way\, especially with technology supporting us.\n\n\n\nJoin Adva Chattler for a monthly gathering to explore the ritual of “Taking Challah”: the tradition of blessing the dough of our challah before baking it. Aside from the ritual\, we will learn a new braiding and decorating technique each month.  Our time together will be sprinkled with song\, chant\, storytelling  and more\, as we braid our challahs together. Recipe\, step-by-step guide and more resources will be shared in advance. \n\n\n\n\n\nAdva 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\, and a Makhloket Matters Fellow for Jewish Professionals by the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies. 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 and a foodie who lives in Del Rio\, Tx.\, with her husband\, three daughters and two dogs. \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/braided-together-take-challah-ritual-in-community/2024-11-14/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free,Monthly program ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Braided-together-.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241204T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241204T140000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20241118T212834Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241127T010726Z UID:28688-1733317200-1733320800@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Capturing Your (Grand)Child's Stories DESCRIPTION:December 4\, 2024\n1:00-2:00 p.m. EST\n\n \nSo often\, we experience meaningful moments with our children or grandchildren that we’d like to capture–or have special stories from our own childhood that we hope to share with the next generation. Dr. Barry Mann has crafted a delightful children’s book\, Miri and her Drum Set\, inspired by a real-life adventure with his young grandchild. Miri and her Drum Set explores both the miracle of Hanukkah and also ways to unite people across religions and cultures.\n \nJoin us for an engaging conversation about Dr. Mann’s journey of transforming a personal story into a published book. Whether your goal is to publish or simply to create a family keepsake story\, discover an effective process to outline and breathe life into your narratives. This event is perfectly timed for those looking to create and share a story that could make a memorable Hanukkah gift for the family.\n \n\nThis session will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n \nBarry Mann is a retired surgeon and currently System Medical Director for Health Equity in the Main Line Health System of suburban Philadelphia where he served as Chief Academic Officer and director of the surgical residency training program. Dr. Mann has received numerous prestigious awards for his work in medical education including the Distinguished Teacher of Medicine Award from the American Association for Medical Colleges and the Distinguished Educator Award from the Association for Surgical Education. While professor of surgery at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia\, he co-authored five medical textbooks including SURGERY—A Competency Based Companion. His interest in Hebrew and Arabic led him to write Dreams of Peace\, A Dual Language Primer for Learning Hebrew and Arabic in 2015. Miri and her Drum Set is his first children’s book and is based on a true story of kindness he experienced with his grandson Ezra at the Lime Ridge Mall in Ontario\, Canada.\n \n \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/capturing-your-grandchilds-stories/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/Capturing-Your-GrandChilds-Stories-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241212T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241212T150000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20241031T190003Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241101T150341Z UID:28512-1734012000-1734015600@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Braided Together: 'Take Challah' Ritual in Community DESCRIPTION:Wednesdays\, November 14 and December 12\, 2024\n2:00-3:00 p.m. EST  \n\nWhen was the last time you came together with friends or family to prepare a meal? Perhaps to bake bread? Picture everyone gathered around a table\, crafting beautifully braided dough with delightful aromas\, sharing stories filled with laughter and even a few tears. The warmth of connection and belonging\, not just from the oven\, has been lacking in our lives as we’ve drifted away from our Jewish communities and intimate family circles due to various life circumstances. However\, it doesn’t have to remain this way\, especially with technology supporting us.\n\n\n\nJoin Adva Chattler for a monthly gathering to explore the ritual of “Taking Challah”: the tradition of blessing the dough of our challah before baking it. Aside from the ritual\, we will learn a new braiding and decorating technique each month.  Our time together will be sprinkled with song\, chant\, storytelling  and more\, as we braid our challahs together. Recipe\, step-by-step guide and more resources will be shared in advance. \n\n\n\n\n\nAdva 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\, and a Makhloket Matters Fellow for Jewish Professionals by the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies. 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 and a foodie who lives in Del Rio\, Tx.\, with her husband\, three daughters and two dogs. \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/braided-together-take-challah-ritual-in-community/2024-12-12/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free,Monthly program ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Braided-together-.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250102T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250102T140000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20241203T162335Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241203T162335Z UID:28838-1735822800-1735826400@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Nia into the NEW Year DESCRIPTION:January 2\, 2025\n1:00-2:00 p.m. EST\n \nStart 2025 in active movement and flow of you body and creativity through the practice of Nia!\n \nJoin the Ritualwell community and Nia instructor Janice Steinberg (who is also one of our Advot members) to engage your body\, spirit and creativity through Nia movement followed by prompts for reflection and writing. No experience needed.\n \nNia is based on the philosophy that everyone can enhance their potential for a healthy\, meaningful life by engaging their senses and listening compassionately to their bodies. While it is adaptable to individual needs and abilities\, its core principle is finding your body’s joy of movement\, whether that’s swaying gently in a chair or dancing. Nia is low-impact and designed to be done barefoot. But it’s fine to wear tennis or jazz-dance shoes if that’s best for you. What you’ll need is a clear space so you have room to move\, or\, if you choose to stay seated that will work\, too.\n \nHave writing materials at hand. You may want art materials\, as well.\n \n\nThis session will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n\n \nJanice Steinberg (she/her) holds a Black Belt in the Nia dance-fitness practice and has been teaching for 15 years\, including events for Ritualwell. She is the author of the novel The Tin Horse (Random House) and a five-book mystery series published by Berkley.\n \n \n \n \n \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/nia-into-the-new-year/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Nia_Janice_Jan2025-RAW.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250212T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250212T133000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20241216T200357Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250205T125121Z UID:28976-1739361600-1739367000@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Creating Your Own Meaningful Tu B’Shvat Rituals DESCRIPTION:February 12\, 2025\, \n12-1:30 p.m. EST\n \nRituals serve not only as a source of comfort but also as a means to honor our history and cultivate our own legacies. Inspired by the birth of her son on the birthday of the trees\, Wendy A. Horwitz\, author of Milkweed and Honey Cake: A Memoir in Ritual Moments\, was inspired to imagine Tu B’shvat as a time to deepen her personal ties to the earth\, trees\, and Jewish wisdom through creative rituals. In this Ritualwell event\, Wendy will guide us in exploring narratives and engaging in discussion aimed at helping us revitalize our personal Tu B’Shvat rituals. Reflect on your connections to this Jewish celebration of nature and discover new ideas to create your own meaningful Tu B’Shvat rituals.\n \n\nThis session will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n\n \nWendy A. Horwitz is the author of Milkweed and Honey Cake: A Memoir in Ritual Moments. Her essays have been published in The Philadelphia Inquirer\, Afterimage\, Neurology (Humanities Section)\, Jewish Literary Journal\, Intrepid Times\, and McClatchy-Tribune News Service\, among others. Originally trained as a pediatric psychologist\, she lives in Philadelphia\, where she teaches writing and health humanities.\n \n\n \n \n \n \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/creating-your-own-meaningful-tu-bshvat-rituals/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Tu-Bishvat-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250325T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250325T130000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20250217T185624Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250219T175325Z UID:29763-1742904000-1742907600@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:To Laugh: Using Humor to Survive Jewish History DESCRIPTION:Tuesday\, March 25\, 2025 \n12:00-1:00 p.m. EDT\n \n\nJoin Emmy-winning TV comedy writer and bestselling author (Marvel’s Look Out for the Little Guy) Rob Kutner as he shares his new book\, The Jews: 5\,000 Years and Counting —a comedic survey of all of Jewish history\, plus jokes! Kutner will read from his book and then lead participants in writing exercises designed to harness humor to disarm a menacing world.\n \nThis session will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n\n \n\nRob Kutner has won 5 Emmys\, a Peabody\, a TCA\, and a Grammy writing for such shows as TBS’ “CONAN” and “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart\, and co-created the fact-based comedy TV show “Gander.” Rob’s other TV writing includes “Teen Titans Go!” “Ben10” “Angry Birds: Summer Madness” and HBO’s “Dennis Miller Live.” He has also written material for the Oscars\, Emmys\, Writers’ Guild Awards\, MTV Movie Awards\, Guys’ Choice Awards\, and two White House Correspondents’ Dinners. He has developed kids’ and adult animated series for Warner Brothers and SyFy.\n\nRob is the author of the satirical end-of-times bestseller Apocalypse How: Turn the End Times into the Best of Times! and the Amazon Kindle e-bestseller/Audible audiobook The Future According to Me. He is also the creator of the graphic novel “Shrinkage” for Farrago Comics. He has published humor and feature pieces for the New Yorker\, New York Times\, Esquire\, Huffington Post\, McSweeney’s\, and the Weekly Forward. Learn more about Rob here. \n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/to-laugh-using-humor-to-survive-jewish-history/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/Holding-Each-Other-Oct-21.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250411 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250412 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20250305T171708Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250407T145016Z UID:29895-1744329600-1744415999@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Why is This Year's Seder Different? DESCRIPTION: \nRitualwell has created a  new collection of curated Passover resources: Why is this Seder Different? Questions\, Readings & Conversation Starters for a Challenging Year. This printable PDF will be delivered electronically and is accessible online.\n \n\nWhen you purchase the supplement\, you will also have access to our event recording: \n\nEngage with Rabbi Mira Wasserman in a conversation with Ritualwell’s Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer\, focusing on text study\, an interactive discussion\, and reflective writing about how the Passover seder can offer a sense of order amidst chaos.\n\n \nRabbi Mira Beth Wasserman\, Ph.D. is RRC’s interim vice president for academic affairs.work as a rabbi and scholar bridges Talmud study\, community building and the pursuit of social justice. In the classroom\, she explores the history and cultures of diverse ancient Jewish communities while fusing immersion in classical text with new critical methods and theory. Wasserman’s background in the congregational rabbinate helps her bring a practical orientation to her teaching and scholarship. She is Rabbi Emerita of Congregation Beth Shalom in Bloomington\, Ind.\, where she served for over a decade.\n \n \n\nGabrielle Ariella Kaplan-Mayer is Ritualwell’s Director of Virtual Content and Programs. She is an author\, educator and spiritual director whose work focuses on spirituality\, creativity and disability. Gabrielle is currently working on a memoir about the power of intuition and ongoing conversations with her ancestors. She writes a Substack newsletter called “Journey With The Seasons\,” a weekly practice of meditative reading with creative self-expression prompts. \nGabrielle holds a BFA in theater and creative writing from Emerson College and an MA in Jewish Studies from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/why-is-this-years-seder-different/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Why-is-This-Years-Seder-Different-RAW-e1742245105337.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250428T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250428T141500 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20250404T202859Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T134254Z UID:30271-1745845200-1745849700@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:MALACHIM\, Renewed: A Community Art Project DESCRIPTION:Create art. Create ritual. Create community.  \nSubmit your visual art. Be part of the creation of the new MALACHIM (Jewish Angel Cards) Set\, MALACHIM Messages of Blessing Cards: Ritualwell Community Edition.  \nThe tradition of MALACHIM (literally: messages or angels) began in a circle of friends in Jerusalem in 1989. They sang the beloved song Shalom Aleichem to honor the beginning of Shabbat\, noting that the words of the song welcome the “messengers/angels of peace\,” which are said to frequent the homes of those who bring in Shabbat (Talmud\, Tractate Shabbat\, 119a). Deborah Eisenbach-Budner created a set of MALACHIM to accompany the singing. These cards came to be known as Jewish Angel Cards; her hand-made sets found homes throughout the world. Several thousand printed sets\, now called MALACHIM Messages of Blessing\, have made their way into personal and communal rituals as well as Shabbat\, Rosh Hodesh\, and holiday tables as this folk tradition grows.   \nNow\, MALACHIM will evolve again as a collective process\, including you!     \nWe are creating a MALACHIM set that incorporates original art made by Ritualwell community members. Each of the MALACHIM will be made from a original photo/work of art. On the margins of the art will be a word in Hebrew\, transliteration\, and English.   \nOur timeline: \n\nOn Monday April 28 at 1pm EST\, Ritualwell will host a virtual launch event to invite artists to learn more about this community art project and its logistics. There will be a word bank provided; artists will be invited to submit up to 5 pieces for consideration by June 4.   \nOn Monday June 30 at 5pm EST\, Ritualwell will host a virtual unveiling gallery event for the artists and community members to share the artwork selected for the card deck. Artists will have a chance to share about their reflections from the process of art making for this project.  \nThe cards will become available for sale August 1\, in time for Elul and the Jewish New Year.  \n\n\nRegistrants commit to: \nJoin the April 28th virtual event and submit 3-5 pieces of artwork. 36 or 54 pieces will be chosen\, depending on submissions. Registrants will receive a free set of the new MALACHIM and will be credited on the physical insert and online description.   \nWe are lucky to have such a creative and inspiring network of artists at Ritualwell\, and we hope you will join us at the April 28 launch event and submit your art for consideration!  \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/malachim-renewed-a-community-art-project/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250617T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250617T133000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20250424T155546Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250609T155138Z UID:30414-1750161600-1750167000@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Writing Postcards From the Heart DESCRIPTION:Tuesday\, June 17\, 2025 \n12-1:30 p.m. EDT\n \n\n\nWrite your own postcards to a loved one\, to your younger self\, to an artist you love\, or to even to G-d in this interactive writing workshop with Poet and Professor Lisa Grunberger. Jewish thought has much to teach us about anger and compassion. For example\, Rebbe Nachman taught that the best antidote for one’s anger is a compassionate heart. In Hebrew\, the word for “compassion” (rachamim)\, shares the same root as the words for “womb” (rechem) and for “tomorrow” (machar).\n \nWriting is cathartic\, a ritual that helps us process complex emotions like grief and anger. You are encouraged to bring photos of people\, alive or not\, you might want to write postcards to so their energy is close. We will have time to share our spontaneous postcard writing with each other; you will be surprised at the creative writing that emerges with these short postcard-writing exercises. A postcard can spark the first lines of a novel\, a song\, or even heal a relationship. Discover how writing from the emotional “place” of pain\, love\, curiosity\, anger\, or grief can create a bridge to heal.\n\n\n\n \nThis session will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n \n\n\nPushcart nominee and Temple University English Professor Lisa Grunberger is a first-generation American writer. Her award-winning poetry book\, I am dirty (Moonstone Press)\, and Born Knowing (Finishing Line Press)\, are lyrical reflections on life as a woman\, a mother\, and a daughter of Holocaust survivors.  Her book\, Yiddish Yoga: Ruthie’s Adventures in Love\, Loss and the Lotus Position (Harper Collins)\, about a widowed grandmother who does yoga to help her grieve\, is currently being adapted as a musical. Almost Pregnant\, her play about infertility and assisted reproductive technologies\, is published by Next Stage Press. \nHer poetry book\, Mercy Wombs\, was the finalist in Settlement House American Poetry Prize for first-generation poets. She is a widely published poet whose work has appeared in The New York Times\, The Paterson Literary Review\, Mudfish\, The Drunken Boat\, Bridges: A Jewish Feminist Journal\, Philadelphia Poets\, Paroles des Jour\, Dialogi\, Crab Orchard Review\, Mom Egg Review\, The Baffler\, and Fine Linen Press. Her poems have been translated into Hebrew\, Slovenian\, Russian\, Spanish and Yiddish. \n\n  \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/writing-postcards-from-the-heart/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/Writing-Postcards-From-the-Heart.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250624T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250624T133000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20250506T135444Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T122158Z UID:30562-1750766400-1750771800@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:The Creative Fire of Folklore DESCRIPTION: \nTuesday\, June 24\, 2025\n12-1:30 p.m. EDT\n \nIn this generative poetry event\, we’ll chart ways to use your family or community’s sayings in poems that explore how the past informs the present. Come prepared to have fun\, while trying your hand at techniques for folding both folklore and imagery into poetry that’s at once individual and universal. Together\, we’ll play with writing exercises and discuss published work. By the end of class\, you’ll have a draft that you can shape for further development.\n \nNo previous poetry experience is required–this event is inclusive of everyone’s background and lived experiences.\n \nThis session will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n \nSusan Comninos is a widely published writer and author of a recent book of poems\, “Out of Nowhere” (Stephen F. Austin Univ. Press/Texas A&M\, 2022). Her individual poems\, often on Jewish themes\, have appeared in the Harvard Review Online\, Rattle\, The Common\, Prairie Schooner and North American Review\, among others. She’s taught writing to undergraduates at Siena College\, The College of St. Rose and SUNY Albany\, as well as to adults in the community. She is currently at work on a second collection of poems\, called “Wild Joy of Receiving.” She lives in upstate New York. \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/the-creative-fire-of-folklore/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/The-Creative-Fire-of-Folklore-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250626T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250626T203000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20250513T160346Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T144650Z UID:30666-1750964400-1750969800@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Advot End-of-Year Celebration and Poetry Reading DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, June 26\, 2025\n7-8:30 p.m. EDT\n \n\n\n\nJoin us to celebrate the contributions of our Advot@Ritualwell members and the unveiling of our fourth anthology showcasing their creations. Advot@Ritualwell serves as an online community for Jewish writers to learn\, connect\, and collaborate\, providing a platform for mutual support in what can often be a solitary journey. Members bring their diverse backgrounds and expertise to share\, co-create\, and inspire one another. This event is their opportunity to showcase their work to you. Show your support by attending! Registrants will receive a 15% discount on their purchase of the anthology. \n\n\n\nThe members of our ADVOT community include: Elliott batTzedek\, Elizabeth Caplun\, Rabbi Nachshon Carmi\, Alex Carter\, Cathleen Cohen\, Muriel Dance\, Batya Diamond\, Elisa Friedlander\, Rabbi Dayle Friedman\, Ona Gritz\, Ziva Harmatz\, Marc Jacobs\, Ann Kanter\, Judith Kerman\, Chelsea Levinson\, Rabbi Janet Madden\, Beverly Pincus\, SJ Schlossman\, Gail Simmons\, Janice Steinberg\, Julie Stone\, Cantor Keren Webber\, Tiferet Welch and McKenzie Wren.\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/advot-end-of-year-celebration-and-poetry-reading-2/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:ADVOT,Event,Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Advot-EOY-Celebratation-2025-Raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250908T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250908T140000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20250819T163253Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250826T154047Z UID:31859-1757336400-1757340000@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Expanding the Field: A DIY Rosh Hashanah Journey DESCRIPTION:September 8\, 2025\n1:00-2:00 p.m. EDT\n \n\n\nJoin Rabbi Aya Baron and Sarah Chandler (Kohenet Shamirah Bechirah) for a creative journey into Expanding the Field: A DIY Rosh Hashanah Companion\, Ayin Press’s zine-style guide to the New Year. Together\, we’ll explore interactive journaling\, earth-based ritual\, poetic reflection\, and imaginative prompts inspired by the mystical Four Worlds. From hitbodedut (personal prayer) to tashlich\, simanim\, and shofar practice\, Aya and Sarah invite you to co-create Rosh Hashanah rituals that feel both rooted and personal. \nThis session will share sample activities and open conversation about Aya and Sarah’s creative process. Whether you’re seeking spiritual nourishment\, fresh ritual\, or new ways into the season\, you’ll find a welcoming space to reflect\, reimagine\, and connect with the Days of Awe. \n\n\nNote: This program includes sample exercises from the new zine; to purchase a printed copy or download\, visit Ayin’s website.\n\n \nThis session will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n \nRabbi Aya Baron (she/her) creates and offers earth-based Jewish programs\, educational consultation\, and life cycle ritual support. Ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College\, she also holds a B.A. in Contemplative Education from Brown University\, an M.A. in Jewish studies focusing on feminist and folkloric interpretations of rabbinic literature from the Graduate Theological Union and a certifcate from the California School of Herbal Studies. Aya lives on Lenni-Lenape land in Philadelphia and collaborates with Shamir Collective to create earth based Jewish practice guides.\n \n \n \n \n \nSarah Chandler (she/her) aka Kohenet Shamirah is a Brooklyn-based Jewish educator\, artist\, activist\, healer\, and poet. She teaches\, writes and consults on issues related to Judaism\, earth-based spiritual practice\, respectful workplaces\, mindfulness\, and farming. An ordained Kohenet with the Hebrew Priestess Institute and a trainer for “Taamod: Stand Up!”\, she is also is an advanced student of Kabbalistic dream work at The School of Images. Previously\, Sarah served as the Director of Romemu Yeshiva\, Chief Compassion Officer of Jewish Initiative for Animals\, and Director of Earth Based Spiritual Practices at Hazon’s Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center. Currently\, she is the CEO of Shamir Collective\, as a coach and consultant to high profile artists and authors to launch new music and books\, as well as lead trainer for Soft as a Rock: Public Speaking for Sensitive Souls.\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/expanding-the-field-a-diy-rosh-hashanah-journey/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/Expanding-the-field-2025.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250917T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250917T130000 DTSTAMP:20260418T114444 CREATED:20250708T183139Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250826T133841Z UID:31237-1758110400-1758114000@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:On Being Jewish Now: A Reading & Writing Experience DESCRIPTION: \nSeptember 17\, 2025\n12-1 p.m. ET \n \nSince October 7\, our world has shifted in ways that touch every part of our lives. Many of us are asking: How do we navigate—and even flourish—in this moment? Where can we turn for wisdom\, connection\, and hope?\n \n\nIn her new anthology\, On Being Jewish Now\, writer\, podcaster\, and publisher Zibby Owens brings together leading Jewish voices in a heartfelt\, humorous\, and deeply moving collection of essays.\n \nJoin Zibby in conversation with Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer of Ritualwell as they explore what it means to be Jewish right now—how our questions\, traditions\, worries\, and hopes shape our lives and connect us to one another. You’ll be invited into a guided generative writing session to reflect on your own relationship to Jewishness in this moment.\n \nThis event will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n\n  \nZibby Owens is the founder of Zibby Media which includes the award-winning daily podcast Totally Booked with Zibby\, Zibby Publishing in New York\, and Zibby’s Bookshop in Santa Monica CA. She is the author of six books including the USA Today bestsellers Blank: A Novel and On Being Jewish Now: Reflections from Authors and Advocates. Follow her on Substack and Instagram @zibbyowens where she tells it like it is. \n  \n\n \n \n \n \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/on-being-jewish-now-a-reading-writing-experience/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Event,Free ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/On-Being-Jewish-Now-Gabby-with-Zibby-Owens-RAW.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR