BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ritualwell - ECPv6.13.2.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Ritualwell 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:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240131T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240131T133000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233428 CREATED:20230805T140033Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240115T223421Z UID:20262-1706702400-1706707800@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Hidden Moments of Holiness: Finding Sacred Potential in the Everyday DESCRIPTION:Wednesday\, January 31\, 2024\n12-1:30 p.m. EST\nFree \nSecular ritual is a precious part of our social and communal fabric. Starting or ending work meetings\, welcoming a new neighbor\, that perfect cup of coffee in the quiet of morning before anyone else is awake: all are moments waiting for rituals of their own. Join Rabbi Cantor Hillary Chorny for an exploration of ritual that lifts up the otherwise-overlooked moments in our lives. Drawing on the work of the ritual lab at the Stanford Design School\, we’ll explore the core elements that define these rituals and identify other “missed moments” that beg for attention.\n \nIn this generative session you will have the opportunity to build and launch new personal or communal rituals and to share them with the Ritualwell community. Participants with any background or level of Jewish literacy and ritual crafting are welcome.\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 \nRabbi Cantor Hillary Chorny is the Cantor at Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles\, California. She completed her cantorial investiture\, rabbinical ordination\, and a Masterʼs degree in Sacred Music at the Jewish Theological Seminary before joining the staff of Temple Beth Am in August\, 2014. For several years\, Hillary has co-produced the Sacred Sounds Unbound concert series with burgeoning Jewish music artists and the Kol Tefilla conference on prayer experiences with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Hillary is an instructor for first year students at the Ziegler School of Rabbinical Studies. She is an avid writer and is currently enrolled in UCLA’s extension program for a certificate in creative nonfiction writing. A graduate of Harvard Divinity School’s Professional & Lifelong Learning Program\, Hillary is committed to the ongoing study and proliferation of ritual in Jewish community and beyond. She currently serves as one of the vice-presidents of the Cantors Assembly\, the largest professional body of cantors in the world. She and her husband\, Rabbi Daniel Chorny\, met in Israel and continue to enjoy learning together with their two children\, Ella and Yossi.\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/hidden-moments-of-holiness-finding-sacred-potential-in-the-everyday/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/person-reading-a-book-with-cup-of-coffee-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240208T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240208T133000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233428 CREATED:20231219T151357Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231219T151357Z UID:22617-1707393600-1707399000@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Jewish Coming-of-Age Stories: Writing the Younger You DESCRIPTION:Thursdays\, February 8\, 15\, 22\, 29\, 2024 \n12-1:30 p.m. EST\n$180 for four sessions \nAll of us have our coming-of-age stories: events we experienced as children\, teens\, and young adults. Your experiences may be humorous and pleasantly nostalgic. They may be profound or disturbing. This four-session immersion will give you a chance to tell the stories of the younger you in poetry and micro memoir.\n \nWe will begin each session by reading and discussing some representative poems and micro memoir pieces of one or several paragraphs\, written by various writers\, both Jewish and not. Then\, using prompts and thematic suggestions\, you will be invited to write the stories of the younger you–perhaps about school days\, starter jobs\, life-cycle events\, family times and holidays\, foods\, spiritual awakenings\, relationships\, and anything else. Some of your writing might center on being Jewish\, but that is not required. We will have time during each session to share and appreciate each other’s work. Writers of any level of experience are welcome.\nAll sessions will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience. \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. \n  \n \n \n \n \n   URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/jewish-coming-of-age-stories-writing-the-younger-you/2024-02-08/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/LynnLevin_JewishComingofAgeStories_Feb2024-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240214T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240214T133000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233428 CREATED:20230805T140036Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240109T181300Z UID:20195-1707912000-1707917400@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Mussar As a Generative Practice for Art and Poetry DESCRIPTION:Wednesday\, February 14\, 21\, 28 and March 6\, 2024 \n12-1:30 p.m. EST\n$180 for four sessions \nMussar is a spiritual practice based on centuries-old teachings and texts which we still find valuable today. Its wholehearted approach to leading an ethical life is inspiring and creative. As a Mussar learner\, Cathleen Cohen uses poetry and visual art to deepen an understanding of Torah\, mitzvot and spirituality through encounters with others. In this 4-week Immersion\, you are invited to use writing and visual artmaking to touch on Mussar themes like middot (character traits) and heshbon ha’nefesh\, (“accounting of the soul”)\, and open a conversation between yourselves and the characteristics you aspire to master. No prior experience writing poetry\, creating visual art or studying Mussar is needed! \nAll sessions will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience. \n  \nCathleen Cohen was the 2019 Poet Laureate of Montgomery County\, PA. A painter and teacher\, she founded the We the Poets program at ArtWell\, an arts education non-profit in Philadelphia. Her poems appear in journals such as Apiary\, Baltimore Review\, Cagibi\, East Coast Ink\, 6ix\, North of Oxford\, One Art\, Passager\, Philadelphia Stories\, Rockvale Review and Rogue Agent. Camera Obscura (chapbook\, Moonstone Press)\, appeared in 2017 and Etching the Ghost (Atmosphere Press) in 2021. She received the Interfaith Relations Award from the Montgomery County PA Human Rights Commission and the Public Service Award from National Association of Poetry Therapy. Her paintings are on view at Cerulean Arts Gallery (ceruleanarts.com). URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/mussar-as-a-generative-practice-for-art-and-poetry/2024-02-14/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/woman-painting-near-a-sign-that-says-i-dont-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240229T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240229T133000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233428 CREATED:20231219T151359Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240229T153539Z UID:22622-1709208000-1709213400@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Jewish Coming-of-Age Stories: Writing the Younger You DESCRIPTION:Thursdays\, February 8\, 15\, 22\, 29\, 2024 \n12-1:30 p.m. EST\n$180 for four sessions \nAll of us have our coming-of-age stories: events we experienced as children\, teens\, and young adults. Your experiences may be humorous and pleasantly nostalgic. They may be profound or disturbing. This four-session immersion will give you a chance to tell the stories of the younger you in poetry and micro memoir.\n \nWe will begin each session by reading and discussing some representative poems and micro memoir pieces of one or several paragraphs\, written by various writers\, both Jewish and not. Then\, using prompts and thematic suggestions\, you will be invited to write the stories of the younger you–perhaps about school days\, starter jobs\, life-cycle events\, family times and holidays\, foods\, spiritual awakenings\, relationships\, and anything else. Some of your writing might center on being Jewish\, but that is not required. We will have time during each session to share and appreciate each other’s work. Writers of any level of experience are welcome.\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 \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. \n  \n \n \n \n \n   URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/jewish-coming-of-age-stories-writing-the-younger-you-2024-02-29/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/LynnLevin_JewishComingofAgeStories_Feb2024-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240229T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240229T133000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233428 CREATED:20231221T151137Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231221T151137Z UID:22843-1709208000-1709213400@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Finding Our Place in the Stories of the Hebrew Matriarch: Sarah DESCRIPTION:Thursdays\, February 29 and March 7\, 14\, 21\, 2024\n12-1:30 p.m. EST\n$180\n \n\n“The Kabbalah teaches that all the characters of the Torah are within ourselves.” \n—Miki Raver\, ‘Listen to Her Voice: Women of the Hebrew Bible’\n \nIt might seem that to gain the full stories of the matriarchs of the Hebrew Bible we need to read between the lines. But there is much to discover and explore within the texts themselves where hints and information are hiding in plain sight. In this 4-week workshop author\, poet\, and Certified Dreamwork Professional Tzivia Gover will share what she learned about Sarah when she used poetry and imagination to move beyond seeing her merely as an adjunct to Abraham and Isaac\, and instead as a powerful woman\, prophet\, and priestess in her own right. In this Immersion we will  learn how reclaiming the stories of Sarah and the Hebrew matriarchs through poetic writing can empower us to know ourselves more fully—and access the gifts of wisdom\, healing\, and joy that are our universal birthright.\n \nTzivia will invite participants to reconsider key passages from Genesis\, beginning with the first Hebrew matriarch\, using interpretive tools including:\n\nPaRDeS\, the Kabbalistic method of interpretation that explores what is said explicitly\, as well as hints\, questions\, and secret meanings;\nDreamwork methods for unlocking the information transmitted through archetypes\, symbolism and story; and\nLiterary analysis.\n\nWe’ll also use guided visualization\, writing prompts\, and exercises based on those techniques\, and participants will be invited to write poems and stories of their own. This workshop is appropriate for everyone\, whether you consider yourself a writer or not\, and no matter what your level of Jewish education or experience.\n \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 \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  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/finding-our-place-in-the-stories-of-the-hebrew-matriarch-sarah/2024-02-29/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/TziviaGover_Sarah_FebMar2024-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240404T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240404T133000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233428 CREATED:20231220T144002Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240415T210130Z UID:22650-1712232000-1712237400@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:The Jewish Approach to Conflict Transformation DESCRIPTION:Thursdays\, April 4\, 11\, 18 and May 2\, 9\, 16\, 2024\n12-1:30 p.m. EDT\n$250 for six sessions \nThe lengths to which some of us will go to avoid conflict are extreme\, but what if we flipped the script on conflict? What if we understood conflict as an invitation to embrace difficult aspects of ourselves and others in order to grow? Conflict transformation theory says that conflict is actually not the problem\, rather it is how we respond to conflict that creates the most difficulty. The good news is that we always have a choice in how we respond. \nEven better news is that Jewish tradition is a storehouse of wisdom and practical application on how to navigate the world of conflict and how we respond to it\, from sources in the Torah and from how our rabbinic sages model of conflict transformation. In this Ritualwell Immersion\, we will explore what conflict transformation might look like for the Jewish community in our times. Using parts of the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies Center for Conflict Resolution “Constructive Conflict” curriculum\, we will navigate both ancient and modern approaches to conflict and rebuild our own conflict toolboxes applicable in contexts from the interpersonal\, intercommunal\, to the international realms. Together\, we will imagine a Jewish community that knows how to show up in disagreement\, even when it gets hard. \nAll sessions will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n \nRabbi Ezra Weinberg is a shaliach tzibur\, officiant and Jewish educator dedicated to creating connection and community. He is a native Philadelphian and holds an MA in Conflict Transformation. Reb Ezra officiates weddings and Bnai Mitzvot and teaches a University course called\, “One G-d\, Three Paths” alongside a priest and imam. He currently works with individuals and families within the Jewish community and founded ReVoice\, a network of resources for Jewish going through divorce.  He shares: “The work that I do is inspired by my own divorce as well as my experience as a child of high conflict divorce. A big part of my mission is to offer support in Jewish contexts when divorce radically changes a family’s path. However\, I also want to change the conversation around divorce within the Jewish community today so that it is no longer taboo to get divorced or talk about divorce.”\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \nThis Immersion is happening in partnership with the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. \n\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/the-jewish-approach-to-conflict-transformation/2024-04-04/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/EzraWeinberg_ConflictTransformatoin_AprilMay2024-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240411T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240411T133000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233428 CREATED:20231220T144002Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240415T210131Z UID:22654-1712836800-1712842200@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:The Jewish Approach to Conflict Transformation DESCRIPTION:Thursdays\, April 4\, 11\, 18 and May 2\, 9\, 16\, 2024\n12-1:30 p.m. EDT\n$250 for six sessions \nThe lengths to which some of us will go to avoid conflict are extreme\, but what if we flipped the script on conflict? What if we understood conflict as an invitation to embrace difficult aspects of ourselves and others in order to grow? Conflict transformation theory says that conflict is actually not the problem\, rather it is how we respond to conflict that creates the most difficulty. The good news is that we always have a choice in how we respond. \nEven better news is that Jewish tradition is a storehouse of wisdom and practical application on how to navigate the world of conflict and how we respond to it\, from sources in the Torah and from how our rabbinic sages model of conflict transformation. In this Ritualwell Immersion\, we will explore what conflict transformation might look like for the Jewish community in our times. Using parts of the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies Center for Conflict Resolution “Constructive Conflict” curriculum\, we will navigate both ancient and modern approaches to conflict and rebuild our own conflict toolboxes applicable in contexts from the interpersonal\, intercommunal\, to the international realms. Together\, we will imagine a Jewish community that knows how to show up in disagreement\, even when it gets hard. \nAll sessions will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n \nRabbi Ezra Weinberg is a shaliach tzibur\, officiant and Jewish educator dedicated to creating connection and community. He is a native Philadelphian and holds an MA in Conflict Transformation. Reb Ezra officiates weddings and Bnai Mitzvot and teaches a University course called\, “One G-d\, Three Paths” alongside a priest and imam. He currently works with individuals and families within the Jewish community and founded ReVoice\, a network of resources for Jewish going through divorce.  He shares: “The work that I do is inspired by my own divorce as well as my experience as a child of high conflict divorce. A big part of my mission is to offer support in Jewish contexts when divorce radically changes a family’s path. However\, I also want to change the conversation around divorce within the Jewish community today so that it is no longer taboo to get divorced or talk about divorce.”\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \nThis Immersion is happening in partnership with the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. \n\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/the-jewish-approach-to-conflict-transformation/2024-04-11/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/EzraWeinberg_ConflictTransformatoin_AprilMay2024-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240418T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240418T133000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233428 CREATED:20231220T144002Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240415T210132Z UID:22655-1713441600-1713447000@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:The Jewish Approach to Conflict Transformation DESCRIPTION:Thursdays\, April 4\, 11\, 18 and May 2\, 9\, 16\, 2024\n12-1:30 p.m. EDT\n$250 for six sessions \nThe lengths to which some of us will go to avoid conflict are extreme\, but what if we flipped the script on conflict? What if we understood conflict as an invitation to embrace difficult aspects of ourselves and others in order to grow? Conflict transformation theory says that conflict is actually not the problem\, rather it is how we respond to conflict that creates the most difficulty. The good news is that we always have a choice in how we respond. \nEven better news is that Jewish tradition is a storehouse of wisdom and practical application on how to navigate the world of conflict and how we respond to it\, from sources in the Torah and from how our rabbinic sages model of conflict transformation. In this Ritualwell Immersion\, we will explore what conflict transformation might look like for the Jewish community in our times. Using parts of the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies Center for Conflict Resolution “Constructive Conflict” curriculum\, we will navigate both ancient and modern approaches to conflict and rebuild our own conflict toolboxes applicable in contexts from the interpersonal\, intercommunal\, to the international realms. Together\, we will imagine a Jewish community that knows how to show up in disagreement\, even when it gets hard. \nAll sessions will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n \nRabbi Ezra Weinberg is a shaliach tzibur\, officiant and Jewish educator dedicated to creating connection and community. He is a native Philadelphian and holds an MA in Conflict Transformation. Reb Ezra officiates weddings and Bnai Mitzvot and teaches a University course called\, “One G-d\, Three Paths” alongside a priest and imam. He currently works with individuals and families within the Jewish community and founded ReVoice\, a network of resources for Jewish going through divorce.  He shares: “The work that I do is inspired by my own divorce as well as my experience as a child of high conflict divorce. A big part of my mission is to offer support in Jewish contexts when divorce radically changes a family’s path. However\, I also want to change the conversation around divorce within the Jewish community today so that it is no longer taboo to get divorced or talk about divorce.”\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \nThis Immersion is happening in partnership with the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. \n\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/the-jewish-approach-to-conflict-transformation/2024-04-18/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/EzraWeinberg_ConflictTransformatoin_AprilMay2024-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240501T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240501T143000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233428 CREATED:20240122T163547Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240226T142656Z UID:23075-1714568400-1714573800@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Judaism Through The Kaleidoscope: Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook DESCRIPTION:Wednesdays\, May 1\, 8\, 15\, 22\, 29 and June 5\, 2024 \n1-2:30 p.m. EDT\n$250 \nRabbi Abraham Isaac Kook (1865 – 1935) was the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of pre-state Israel\, a profound poet\, and a giant of both mysticism and Jewish law. He was a radical thinker\, writer and activist who provoked much opposition during his lifetime from conservative leaders of Ultra-Orthodox communities. \nRabbi Kook saw the Divine spark in everything and viewed all events as part of an evolutionary process towards a redeemed and unified world. His writings contain beautiful and insightful gems on subjects such as: freedom as the key foundation of Judaism; our relationship with our bodies; pluralism\, tolerance and polarization; the many layers of our multiple identities; particularism and universalism; the narratives of our own lives and of all of human history. Together\, we will explore his rich\, beautiful writings and use them as opportunities for spiritual practice\, including creative writing and guided embodied exercises. \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 \nDaniel Raphael Silverstein is a rabbi\, educator\, meditation teacher and MC/poet. He lives in Israel with his family\, where he directs Applied Jewish Spirituality (https://www.appliedjewishspirituality.org/)\, an online portal which makes the transformative spiritual wisdom of our tradition accessible to all who seek it. Daniel is an accredited teacher of Jewish Mindfulness Meditation and regularly teaches classes and retreats. He was born and raised in London and received a BA from the University of Cambridge and an MA from Warwick University. After receiving semikha from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School\, he served as Director of Jewish Life and Learning for Hillel of Stanford University in Palo Alto\, CA. Daniel has performed and facilitated all over the world as a spoken word artist\, MC\, and creative educator\, and the Jewish Week selected him as one of their “36 Under 36” young innovators reshaping the Jewish community. Daniel is a cofounder of Lines of Faith\, a Muslim-Jewish hip hop and poetry collective that uses performances and workshops to challenge prejudice and build meaningful bonds between communities.\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/judaism-through-the-kaleidoscope-rabbi-abraham-isaac-kook/2024-05-01/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/DanielRS_RavKook_MayJune2024-2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240502T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240502T133000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233428 CREATED:20231220T144002Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240415T210132Z UID:22657-1714651200-1714656600@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:The Jewish Approach to Conflict Transformation DESCRIPTION:Thursdays\, April 4\, 11\, 18 and May 2\, 9\, 16\, 2024\n12-1:30 p.m. EDT\n$250 for six sessions \nThe lengths to which some of us will go to avoid conflict are extreme\, but what if we flipped the script on conflict? What if we understood conflict as an invitation to embrace difficult aspects of ourselves and others in order to grow? Conflict transformation theory says that conflict is actually not the problem\, rather it is how we respond to conflict that creates the most difficulty. The good news is that we always have a choice in how we respond. \nEven better news is that Jewish tradition is a storehouse of wisdom and practical application on how to navigate the world of conflict and how we respond to it\, from sources in the Torah and from how our rabbinic sages model of conflict transformation. In this Ritualwell Immersion\, we will explore what conflict transformation might look like for the Jewish community in our times. Using parts of the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies Center for Conflict Resolution “Constructive Conflict” curriculum\, we will navigate both ancient and modern approaches to conflict and rebuild our own conflict toolboxes applicable in contexts from the interpersonal\, intercommunal\, to the international realms. Together\, we will imagine a Jewish community that knows how to show up in disagreement\, even when it gets hard. \nAll sessions will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n \nRabbi Ezra Weinberg is a shaliach tzibur\, officiant and Jewish educator dedicated to creating connection and community. He is a native Philadelphian and holds an MA in Conflict Transformation. Reb Ezra officiates weddings and Bnai Mitzvot and teaches a University course called\, “One G-d\, Three Paths” alongside a priest and imam. He currently works with individuals and families within the Jewish community and founded ReVoice\, a network of resources for Jewish going through divorce.  He shares: “The work that I do is inspired by my own divorce as well as my experience as a child of high conflict divorce. A big part of my mission is to offer support in Jewish contexts when divorce radically changes a family’s path. However\, I also want to change the conversation around divorce within the Jewish community today so that it is no longer taboo to get divorced or talk about divorce.”\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \nThis Immersion is happening in partnership with the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. \n\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/the-jewish-approach-to-conflict-transformation/2024-05-02/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/EzraWeinberg_ConflictTransformatoin_AprilMay2024-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240507T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240507T140000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233428 CREATED:20231222T215147Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240425T164511Z UID:22768-1715083200-1715090400@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Presence and Absence: Images of the Divine in Kabbalah DESCRIPTION:Tuesdays\, May 7\, 14\, 21\, 28 and June 4\, 2024\n12-2:00 p.m. EDT\n$250\n \n\nWe live in a time of deep division and loneliness. The Zohar\, the 13th- century Kabbalistic work\, offers rich and beautiful images to speak to this separation\, and equally powerful ways to imagine divine presence\, healing\, and connection. In this series we will delve into the multifaceted\, dynamic Divine through the radical imagination of the Zohar. We’ll bring what we discover into our own creativity through the Jewish Studio Process\, a facilitated\, intuitive use of art materials and reflective writing. We’ll pay particular attention to the experience of the Shekhinah\, the feminine\, immanent\, indwelling Sacred Presence.\n \nThis practice is appropriate for absolute beginners and experienced artists who would like to explore this imagery. The focus isn’t on creating a polished piece of artwork\, but rather on deepening your own intuition\, insight and voice.\n\nDuring this series\, we will harvest the insights and images that have come onto the page in word and color to write new midrash and liturgy.\n \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 \n\nMargie Jacobs is a Reconstructionist rabbi who has served as a congregational rabbi\, regional director of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality\, Hillel director\, and teacher of mindfulness meditation. In 2020\, She completed the first 2-year Jewish Studio Process facilitator training. She has brought JSP to synagogues\, Hillels\, retreats\, conferences\, special events\, and groups of clergy across the country. Margie works with individuals as a Spiritual Coach and designs websites for clergy and Jewish organizations.\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\nThis Immersion is happening in partnership with the Jewish Studio Project.\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/presence-and-absence-images-of-the-divine-in-kabbalah/2024-05-07/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/RabbiMargieJacobs_PresenceandAbsence_MayJune2024-1-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240508T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240508T143000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233428 CREATED:20240122T163547Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240122T163547Z UID:23529-1715173200-1715178600@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Judaism Through The Kaleidoscope: Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook DESCRIPTION:Wednesdays\, May 1\, 8\, 15\, 22\, 29 and June 5\, 2024 \n1-2:30 p.m. EDT\n$250 \nRabbi Abraham Isaac Kook (1865 – 1935) was the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of pre-state Israel\, a profound poet\, and a giant of both mysticism and Jewish law. He was a radical thinker\, writer and activist who provoked much opposition during his lifetime from conservative leaders of Ultra-Orthodox communities. \nRabbi Kook saw the Divine spark in everything and viewed all events as part of an evolutionary process towards a redeemed and unified world. His writings contain beautiful and insightful gems on subjects such as: freedom as the key foundation of Judaism; our relationship with our bodies; pluralism\, tolerance and polarization; the many layers of our multiple identities; particularism and universalism; the narratives of our own lives and of all of human history. Together\, we will explore his rich\, beautiful writings and use them as opportunities for spiritual practice\, including creative writing and guided embodied exercises. \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 \nDaniel Raphael Silverstein is a rabbi\, educator\, meditation teacher and MC/poet. He lives in Israel with his family\, where he directs Applied Jewish Spirituality (https://www.appliedjewishspirituality.org/)\, an online portal which makes the transformative spiritual wisdom of our tradition accessible to all who seek it. Daniel is an accredited teacher of Jewish Mindfulness Meditation and regularly teaches classes and retreats. He was born and raised in London and received a BA from the University of Cambridge and an MA from Warwick University. After receiving semikha from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School\, he served as Director of Jewish Life and Learning for Hillel of Stanford University in Palo Alto\, CA. Daniel has performed and facilitated all over the world as a spoken word artist\, MC\, and creative educator\, and the Jewish Week selected him as one of their “36 Under 36” young innovators reshaping the Jewish community. Daniel is a cofounder of Lines of Faith\, a Muslim-Jewish hip hop and poetry collective that uses performances and workshops to challenge prejudice and build meaningful bonds between communities.\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/judaism-through-the-kaleidoscope-rabbi-abraham-isaac-kook/2024-05-08/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/DanielRS_RavKook_MayJune2024-2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240509T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240509T133000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233428 CREATED:20231220T144002Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240415T210133Z UID:22658-1715256000-1715261400@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:The Jewish Approach to Conflict Transformation DESCRIPTION:Thursdays\, April 4\, 11\, 18 and May 2\, 9\, 16\, 2024\n12-1:30 p.m. EDT\n$250 for six sessions \nThe lengths to which some of us will go to avoid conflict are extreme\, but what if we flipped the script on conflict? What if we understood conflict as an invitation to embrace difficult aspects of ourselves and others in order to grow? Conflict transformation theory says that conflict is actually not the problem\, rather it is how we respond to conflict that creates the most difficulty. The good news is that we always have a choice in how we respond. \nEven better news is that Jewish tradition is a storehouse of wisdom and practical application on how to navigate the world of conflict and how we respond to it\, from sources in the Torah and from how our rabbinic sages model of conflict transformation. In this Ritualwell Immersion\, we will explore what conflict transformation might look like for the Jewish community in our times. Using parts of the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies Center for Conflict Resolution “Constructive Conflict” curriculum\, we will navigate both ancient and modern approaches to conflict and rebuild our own conflict toolboxes applicable in contexts from the interpersonal\, intercommunal\, to the international realms. Together\, we will imagine a Jewish community that knows how to show up in disagreement\, even when it gets hard. \nAll sessions will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n \nRabbi Ezra Weinberg is a shaliach tzibur\, officiant and Jewish educator dedicated to creating connection and community. He is a native Philadelphian and holds an MA in Conflict Transformation. Reb Ezra officiates weddings and Bnai Mitzvot and teaches a University course called\, “One G-d\, Three Paths” alongside a priest and imam. He currently works with individuals and families within the Jewish community and founded ReVoice\, a network of resources for Jewish going through divorce.  He shares: “The work that I do is inspired by my own divorce as well as my experience as a child of high conflict divorce. A big part of my mission is to offer support in Jewish contexts when divorce radically changes a family’s path. However\, I also want to change the conversation around divorce within the Jewish community today so that it is no longer taboo to get divorced or talk about divorce.”\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \nThis Immersion is happening in partnership with the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. \n\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/the-jewish-approach-to-conflict-transformation/2024-05-09/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/EzraWeinberg_ConflictTransformatoin_AprilMay2024-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240514T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240514T140000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233429 CREATED:20231222T215147Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240425T164512Z UID:22784-1715688000-1715695200@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Presence and Absence: Images of the Divine in Kabbalah DESCRIPTION:Tuesdays\, May 7\, 14\, 21\, 28 and June 4\, 2024\n12-2:00 p.m. EDT\n$250\n \n\nWe live in a time of deep division and loneliness. The Zohar\, the 13th- century Kabbalistic work\, offers rich and beautiful images to speak to this separation\, and equally powerful ways to imagine divine presence\, healing\, and connection. In this series we will delve into the multifaceted\, dynamic Divine through the radical imagination of the Zohar. We’ll bring what we discover into our own creativity through the Jewish Studio Process\, a facilitated\, intuitive use of art materials and reflective writing. We’ll pay particular attention to the experience of the Shekhinah\, the feminine\, immanent\, indwelling Sacred Presence.\n \nThis practice is appropriate for absolute beginners and experienced artists who would like to explore this imagery. The focus isn’t on creating a polished piece of artwork\, but rather on deepening your own intuition\, insight and voice.\n\nDuring this series\, we will harvest the insights and images that have come onto the page in word and color to write new midrash and liturgy.\n \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 \n\nMargie Jacobs is a Reconstructionist rabbi who has served as a congregational rabbi\, regional director of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality\, Hillel director\, and teacher of mindfulness meditation. In 2020\, She completed the first 2-year Jewish Studio Process facilitator training. She has brought JSP to synagogues\, Hillels\, retreats\, conferences\, special events\, and groups of clergy across the country. Margie works with individuals as a Spiritual Coach and designs websites for clergy and Jewish organizations.\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\nThis Immersion is happening in partnership with the Jewish Studio Project.\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/presence-and-absence-images-of-the-divine-in-kabbalah/2024-05-14/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/RabbiMargieJacobs_PresenceandAbsence_MayJune2024-1-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240515T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240515T143000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233429 CREATED:20240122T163547Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240226T142657Z UID:23079-1715778000-1715783400@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Judaism Through The Kaleidoscope: Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook DESCRIPTION:Wednesdays\, May 1\, 8\, 15\, 22\, 29 and June 5\, 2024 \n1-2:30 p.m. EDT\n$250 \nRabbi Abraham Isaac Kook (1865 – 1935) was the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of pre-state Israel\, a profound poet\, and a giant of both mysticism and Jewish law. He was a radical thinker\, writer and activist who provoked much opposition during his lifetime from conservative leaders of Ultra-Orthodox communities. \nRabbi Kook saw the Divine spark in everything and viewed all events as part of an evolutionary process towards a redeemed and unified world. His writings contain beautiful and insightful gems on subjects such as: freedom as the key foundation of Judaism; our relationship with our bodies; pluralism\, tolerance and polarization; the many layers of our multiple identities; particularism and universalism; the narratives of our own lives and of all of human history. Together\, we will explore his rich\, beautiful writings and use them as opportunities for spiritual practice\, including creative writing and guided embodied exercises. \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 \nDaniel Raphael Silverstein is a rabbi\, educator\, meditation teacher and MC/poet. He lives in Israel with his family\, where he directs Applied Jewish Spirituality (https://www.appliedjewishspirituality.org/)\, an online portal which makes the transformative spiritual wisdom of our tradition accessible to all who seek it. Daniel is an accredited teacher of Jewish Mindfulness Meditation and regularly teaches classes and retreats. He was born and raised in London and received a BA from the University of Cambridge and an MA from Warwick University. After receiving semikha from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School\, he served as Director of Jewish Life and Learning for Hillel of Stanford University in Palo Alto\, CA. Daniel has performed and facilitated all over the world as a spoken word artist\, MC\, and creative educator\, and the Jewish Week selected him as one of their “36 Under 36” young innovators reshaping the Jewish community. Daniel is a cofounder of Lines of Faith\, a Muslim-Jewish hip hop and poetry collective that uses performances and workshops to challenge prejudice and build meaningful bonds between communities.\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/judaism-through-the-kaleidoscope-rabbi-abraham-isaac-kook/2024-05-15/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/DanielRS_RavKook_MayJune2024-2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240516T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240516T133000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233429 CREATED:20231220T144002Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240415T210133Z UID:22659-1715860800-1715866200@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:The Jewish Approach to Conflict Transformation DESCRIPTION:Thursdays\, April 4\, 11\, 18 and May 2\, 9\, 16\, 2024\n12-1:30 p.m. EDT\n$250 for six sessions \nThe lengths to which some of us will go to avoid conflict are extreme\, but what if we flipped the script on conflict? What if we understood conflict as an invitation to embrace difficult aspects of ourselves and others in order to grow? Conflict transformation theory says that conflict is actually not the problem\, rather it is how we respond to conflict that creates the most difficulty. The good news is that we always have a choice in how we respond. \nEven better news is that Jewish tradition is a storehouse of wisdom and practical application on how to navigate the world of conflict and how we respond to it\, from sources in the Torah and from how our rabbinic sages model of conflict transformation. In this Ritualwell Immersion\, we will explore what conflict transformation might look like for the Jewish community in our times. Using parts of the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies Center for Conflict Resolution “Constructive Conflict” curriculum\, we will navigate both ancient and modern approaches to conflict and rebuild our own conflict toolboxes applicable in contexts from the interpersonal\, intercommunal\, to the international realms. Together\, we will imagine a Jewish community that knows how to show up in disagreement\, even when it gets hard. \nAll sessions will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.\n \nRabbi Ezra Weinberg is a shaliach tzibur\, officiant and Jewish educator dedicated to creating connection and community. He is a native Philadelphian and holds an MA in Conflict Transformation. Reb Ezra officiates weddings and Bnai Mitzvot and teaches a University course called\, “One G-d\, Three Paths” alongside a priest and imam. He currently works with individuals and families within the Jewish community and founded ReVoice\, a network of resources for Jewish going through divorce.  He shares: “The work that I do is inspired by my own divorce as well as my experience as a child of high conflict divorce. A big part of my mission is to offer support in Jewish contexts when divorce radically changes a family’s path. However\, I also want to change the conversation around divorce within the Jewish community today so that it is no longer taboo to get divorced or talk about divorce.”\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \nThis Immersion is happening in partnership with the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. \n\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/the-jewish-approach-to-conflict-transformation/2024-05-16/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/EzraWeinberg_ConflictTransformatoin_AprilMay2024-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240516T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240516T133000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233429 CREATED:20240104T163545Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240418T172904Z UID:23007-1715860800-1715866200@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Jewish Spiritual Autobiography DESCRIPTION:Thursdays\, May 16\, 23\, 30 and June 6\, 2024 \n12-1:30 p.m. EDT\n$180 for four sessions\n \n\nWhen we write out our spiritual paths\, it clarifies how ordinary moments of life can be holy moments. Writing a spiritual autobiography helps you to discover how teachers\, touchstones\, symbols and stories have led you to make meaning and understand the sacred in your personal story. In this immersion\, join Ritualwell’s Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer\, a writer and spiritual director\, to map out and narrate your most meaningful life experiences. We’ll read excerpts of powerful spiritual autobiographies to inspire us and expand our understanding of the formats that this kind of writing can take. There is also ample room to write about spiritual experiences that may be outside of a Jewish framework. This immersion is for everyone—whether you identify as a religious or spiritual person or are seeking a spiritual path. No prior creative writing experience needed.\n \n\nTopics we will explore include:\n\nUnderstanding your name/birth story\nExploring family lineage/Ancestral resilience\, trauma/connections\nMapping your spiritual journey/the sacred moments in your life\nAnd more…\n\n\nParticipants will have the opportunity to share feedback with the facilitator and present to the group through the immersion.\n \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 \n\nGabrielle Ariella Kaplan-Mayer is Ritualwell’s Director of Virtual Content and Programs. She is an author and educator whose work focuses on spirituality\, creativity and disability. Her personal essays have been featured in Tablet\, Shondaland\, NBCThink\, Wisdom Daily\, WHYY and many other publications and she has published several nonfiction books as well as plays for children. 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  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/jewish-spiritual-autobiography/2024-05-16/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/GabrielleKM_spiritualautobio_MayJune2024-2-e1713461326305.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240521T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240521T140000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233429 CREATED:20231222T215147Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240425T164513Z UID:22785-1716292800-1716300000@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Presence and Absence: Images of the Divine in Kabbalah DESCRIPTION:Tuesdays\, May 7\, 14\, 21\, 28 and June 4\, 2024\n12-2:00 p.m. EDT\n$250\n \n\nWe live in a time of deep division and loneliness. The Zohar\, the 13th- century Kabbalistic work\, offers rich and beautiful images to speak to this separation\, and equally powerful ways to imagine divine presence\, healing\, and connection. In this series we will delve into the multifaceted\, dynamic Divine through the radical imagination of the Zohar. We’ll bring what we discover into our own creativity through the Jewish Studio Process\, a facilitated\, intuitive use of art materials and reflective writing. We’ll pay particular attention to the experience of the Shekhinah\, the feminine\, immanent\, indwelling Sacred Presence.\n \nThis practice is appropriate for absolute beginners and experienced artists who would like to explore this imagery. The focus isn’t on creating a polished piece of artwork\, but rather on deepening your own intuition\, insight and voice.\n\nDuring this series\, we will harvest the insights and images that have come onto the page in word and color to write new midrash and liturgy.\n \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 \n\nMargie Jacobs is a Reconstructionist rabbi who has served as a congregational rabbi\, regional director of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality\, Hillel director\, and teacher of mindfulness meditation. In 2020\, She completed the first 2-year Jewish Studio Process facilitator training. She has brought JSP to synagogues\, Hillels\, retreats\, conferences\, special events\, and groups of clergy across the country. Margie works with individuals as a Spiritual Coach and designs websites for clergy and Jewish organizations.\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\nThis Immersion is happening in partnership with the Jewish Studio Project.\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/presence-and-absence-images-of-the-divine-in-kabbalah/2024-05-21/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/RabbiMargieJacobs_PresenceandAbsence_MayJune2024-1-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240522T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240522T143000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233429 CREATED:20240122T163547Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240226T142657Z UID:23080-1716382800-1716388200@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Judaism Through The Kaleidoscope: Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook DESCRIPTION:Wednesdays\, May 1\, 8\, 15\, 22\, 29 and June 5\, 2024 \n1-2:30 p.m. EDT\n$250 \nRabbi Abraham Isaac Kook (1865 – 1935) was the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of pre-state Israel\, a profound poet\, and a giant of both mysticism and Jewish law. He was a radical thinker\, writer and activist who provoked much opposition during his lifetime from conservative leaders of Ultra-Orthodox communities. \nRabbi Kook saw the Divine spark in everything and viewed all events as part of an evolutionary process towards a redeemed and unified world. His writings contain beautiful and insightful gems on subjects such as: freedom as the key foundation of Judaism; our relationship with our bodies; pluralism\, tolerance and polarization; the many layers of our multiple identities; particularism and universalism; the narratives of our own lives and of all of human history. Together\, we will explore his rich\, beautiful writings and use them as opportunities for spiritual practice\, including creative writing and guided embodied exercises. \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 \nDaniel Raphael Silverstein is a rabbi\, educator\, meditation teacher and MC/poet. He lives in Israel with his family\, where he directs Applied Jewish Spirituality (https://www.appliedjewishspirituality.org/)\, an online portal which makes the transformative spiritual wisdom of our tradition accessible to all who seek it. Daniel is an accredited teacher of Jewish Mindfulness Meditation and regularly teaches classes and retreats. He was born and raised in London and received a BA from the University of Cambridge and an MA from Warwick University. After receiving semikha from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School\, he served as Director of Jewish Life and Learning for Hillel of Stanford University in Palo Alto\, CA. Daniel has performed and facilitated all over the world as a spoken word artist\, MC\, and creative educator\, and the Jewish Week selected him as one of their “36 Under 36” young innovators reshaping the Jewish community. Daniel is a cofounder of Lines of Faith\, a Muslim-Jewish hip hop and poetry collective that uses performances and workshops to challenge prejudice and build meaningful bonds between communities.\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/judaism-through-the-kaleidoscope-rabbi-abraham-isaac-kook/2024-05-22/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/DanielRS_RavKook_MayJune2024-2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240523T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240523T133000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233429 CREATED:20240104T163545Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240418T172904Z UID:23010-1716465600-1716471000@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Jewish Spiritual Autobiography DESCRIPTION:Thursdays\, May 16\, 23\, 30 and June 6\, 2024 \n12-1:30 p.m. EDT\n$180 for four sessions\n \n\nWhen we write out our spiritual paths\, it clarifies how ordinary moments of life can be holy moments. Writing a spiritual autobiography helps you to discover how teachers\, touchstones\, symbols and stories have led you to make meaning and understand the sacred in your personal story. In this immersion\, join Ritualwell’s Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer\, a writer and spiritual director\, to map out and narrate your most meaningful life experiences. We’ll read excerpts of powerful spiritual autobiographies to inspire us and expand our understanding of the formats that this kind of writing can take. There is also ample room to write about spiritual experiences that may be outside of a Jewish framework. This immersion is for everyone—whether you identify as a religious or spiritual person or are seeking a spiritual path. No prior creative writing experience needed.\n \n\nTopics we will explore include:\n\nUnderstanding your name/birth story\nExploring family lineage/Ancestral resilience\, trauma/connections\nMapping your spiritual journey/the sacred moments in your life\nAnd more…\n\n\nParticipants will have the opportunity to share feedback with the facilitator and present to the group through the immersion.\n \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 \n\nGabrielle Ariella Kaplan-Mayer is Ritualwell’s Director of Virtual Content and Programs. She is an author and educator whose work focuses on spirituality\, creativity and disability. Her personal essays have been featured in Tablet\, Shondaland\, NBCThink\, Wisdom Daily\, WHYY and many other publications and she has published several nonfiction books as well as plays for children. 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  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/jewish-spiritual-autobiography/2024-05-23/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/GabrielleKM_spiritualautobio_MayJune2024-2-e1713461326305.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240528T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240528T140000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233429 CREATED:20231222T215147Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240425T164513Z UID:22786-1716897600-1716904800@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Presence and Absence: Images of the Divine in Kabbalah DESCRIPTION:Tuesdays\, May 7\, 14\, 21\, 28 and June 4\, 2024\n12-2:00 p.m. EDT\n$250\n \n\nWe live in a time of deep division and loneliness. The Zohar\, the 13th- century Kabbalistic work\, offers rich and beautiful images to speak to this separation\, and equally powerful ways to imagine divine presence\, healing\, and connection. In this series we will delve into the multifaceted\, dynamic Divine through the radical imagination of the Zohar. We’ll bring what we discover into our own creativity through the Jewish Studio Process\, a facilitated\, intuitive use of art materials and reflective writing. We’ll pay particular attention to the experience of the Shekhinah\, the feminine\, immanent\, indwelling Sacred Presence.\n \nThis practice is appropriate for absolute beginners and experienced artists who would like to explore this imagery. The focus isn’t on creating a polished piece of artwork\, but rather on deepening your own intuition\, insight and voice.\n\nDuring this series\, we will harvest the insights and images that have come onto the page in word and color to write new midrash and liturgy.\n \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 \n\nMargie Jacobs is a Reconstructionist rabbi who has served as a congregational rabbi\, regional director of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality\, Hillel director\, and teacher of mindfulness meditation. In 2020\, She completed the first 2-year Jewish Studio Process facilitator training. She has brought JSP to synagogues\, Hillels\, retreats\, conferences\, special events\, and groups of clergy across the country. Margie works with individuals as a Spiritual Coach and designs websites for clergy and Jewish organizations.\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\nThis Immersion is happening in partnership with the Jewish Studio Project.\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/presence-and-absence-images-of-the-divine-in-kabbalah/2024-05-28/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/RabbiMargieJacobs_PresenceandAbsence_MayJune2024-1-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240529T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240529T143000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233429 CREATED:20240122T163547Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240226T142658Z UID:23081-1716987600-1716993000@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Judaism Through The Kaleidoscope: Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook DESCRIPTION:Wednesdays\, May 1\, 8\, 15\, 22\, 29 and June 5\, 2024 \n1-2:30 p.m. EDT\n$250 \nRabbi Abraham Isaac Kook (1865 – 1935) was the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of pre-state Israel\, a profound poet\, and a giant of both mysticism and Jewish law. He was a radical thinker\, writer and activist who provoked much opposition during his lifetime from conservative leaders of Ultra-Orthodox communities. \nRabbi Kook saw the Divine spark in everything and viewed all events as part of an evolutionary process towards a redeemed and unified world. His writings contain beautiful and insightful gems on subjects such as: freedom as the key foundation of Judaism; our relationship with our bodies; pluralism\, tolerance and polarization; the many layers of our multiple identities; particularism and universalism; the narratives of our own lives and of all of human history. Together\, we will explore his rich\, beautiful writings and use them as opportunities for spiritual practice\, including creative writing and guided embodied exercises. \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 \nDaniel Raphael Silverstein is a rabbi\, educator\, meditation teacher and MC/poet. He lives in Israel with his family\, where he directs Applied Jewish Spirituality (https://www.appliedjewishspirituality.org/)\, an online portal which makes the transformative spiritual wisdom of our tradition accessible to all who seek it. Daniel is an accredited teacher of Jewish Mindfulness Meditation and regularly teaches classes and retreats. He was born and raised in London and received a BA from the University of Cambridge and an MA from Warwick University. After receiving semikha from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School\, he served as Director of Jewish Life and Learning for Hillel of Stanford University in Palo Alto\, CA. Daniel has performed and facilitated all over the world as a spoken word artist\, MC\, and creative educator\, and the Jewish Week selected him as one of their “36 Under 36” young innovators reshaping the Jewish community. Daniel is a cofounder of Lines of Faith\, a Muslim-Jewish hip hop and poetry collective that uses performances and workshops to challenge prejudice and build meaningful bonds between communities.\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/judaism-through-the-kaleidoscope-rabbi-abraham-isaac-kook/2024-05-29/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/DanielRS_RavKook_MayJune2024-2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240530T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240530T133000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233429 CREATED:20240104T163545Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240418T172905Z UID:23011-1717070400-1717075800@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Jewish Spiritual Autobiography DESCRIPTION:Thursdays\, May 16\, 23\, 30 and June 6\, 2024 \n12-1:30 p.m. EDT\n$180 for four sessions\n \n\nWhen we write out our spiritual paths\, it clarifies how ordinary moments of life can be holy moments. Writing a spiritual autobiography helps you to discover how teachers\, touchstones\, symbols and stories have led you to make meaning and understand the sacred in your personal story. In this immersion\, join Ritualwell’s Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer\, a writer and spiritual director\, to map out and narrate your most meaningful life experiences. We’ll read excerpts of powerful spiritual autobiographies to inspire us and expand our understanding of the formats that this kind of writing can take. There is also ample room to write about spiritual experiences that may be outside of a Jewish framework. This immersion is for everyone—whether you identify as a religious or spiritual person or are seeking a spiritual path. No prior creative writing experience needed.\n \n\nTopics we will explore include:\n\nUnderstanding your name/birth story\nExploring family lineage/Ancestral resilience\, trauma/connections\nMapping your spiritual journey/the sacred moments in your life\nAnd more…\n\n\nParticipants will have the opportunity to share feedback with the facilitator and present to the group through the immersion.\n \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 \n\nGabrielle Ariella Kaplan-Mayer is Ritualwell’s Director of Virtual Content and Programs. She is an author and educator whose work focuses on spirituality\, creativity and disability. Her personal essays have been featured in Tablet\, Shondaland\, NBCThink\, Wisdom Daily\, WHYY and many other publications and she has published several nonfiction books as well as plays for children. 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  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/jewish-spiritual-autobiography/2024-05-30/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/GabrielleKM_spiritualautobio_MayJune2024-2-e1713461326305.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240604T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240604T140000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233429 CREATED:20231222T215147Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240425T164514Z UID:22787-1717502400-1717509600@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Presence and Absence: Images of the Divine in Kabbalah DESCRIPTION:Tuesdays\, May 7\, 14\, 21\, 28 and June 4\, 2024\n12-2:00 p.m. EDT\n$250\n \n\nWe live in a time of deep division and loneliness. The Zohar\, the 13th- century Kabbalistic work\, offers rich and beautiful images to speak to this separation\, and equally powerful ways to imagine divine presence\, healing\, and connection. In this series we will delve into the multifaceted\, dynamic Divine through the radical imagination of the Zohar. We’ll bring what we discover into our own creativity through the Jewish Studio Process\, a facilitated\, intuitive use of art materials and reflective writing. We’ll pay particular attention to the experience of the Shekhinah\, the feminine\, immanent\, indwelling Sacred Presence.\n \nThis practice is appropriate for absolute beginners and experienced artists who would like to explore this imagery. The focus isn’t on creating a polished piece of artwork\, but rather on deepening your own intuition\, insight and voice.\n\nDuring this series\, we will harvest the insights and images that have come onto the page in word and color to write new midrash and liturgy.\n \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 \n\nMargie Jacobs is a Reconstructionist rabbi who has served as a congregational rabbi\, regional director of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality\, Hillel director\, and teacher of mindfulness meditation. In 2020\, She completed the first 2-year Jewish Studio Process facilitator training. She has brought JSP to synagogues\, Hillels\, retreats\, conferences\, special events\, and groups of clergy across the country. Margie works with individuals as a Spiritual Coach and designs websites for clergy and Jewish organizations.\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\nThis Immersion is happening in partnership with the Jewish Studio Project.\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/presence-and-absence-images-of-the-divine-in-kabbalah/2024-06-04/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/RabbiMargieJacobs_PresenceandAbsence_MayJune2024-1-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240605T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240605T143000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233429 CREATED:20240122T163547Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240226T142658Z UID:23082-1717592400-1717597800@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Judaism Through The Kaleidoscope: Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook DESCRIPTION:Wednesdays\, May 1\, 8\, 15\, 22\, 29 and June 5\, 2024 \n1-2:30 p.m. EDT\n$250 \nRabbi Abraham Isaac Kook (1865 – 1935) was the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of pre-state Israel\, a profound poet\, and a giant of both mysticism and Jewish law. He was a radical thinker\, writer and activist who provoked much opposition during his lifetime from conservative leaders of Ultra-Orthodox communities. \nRabbi Kook saw the Divine spark in everything and viewed all events as part of an evolutionary process towards a redeemed and unified world. His writings contain beautiful and insightful gems on subjects such as: freedom as the key foundation of Judaism; our relationship with our bodies; pluralism\, tolerance and polarization; the many layers of our multiple identities; particularism and universalism; the narratives of our own lives and of all of human history. Together\, we will explore his rich\, beautiful writings and use them as opportunities for spiritual practice\, including creative writing and guided embodied exercises. \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 \nDaniel Raphael Silverstein is a rabbi\, educator\, meditation teacher and MC/poet. He lives in Israel with his family\, where he directs Applied Jewish Spirituality (https://www.appliedjewishspirituality.org/)\, an online portal which makes the transformative spiritual wisdom of our tradition accessible to all who seek it. Daniel is an accredited teacher of Jewish Mindfulness Meditation and regularly teaches classes and retreats. He was born and raised in London and received a BA from the University of Cambridge and an MA from Warwick University. After receiving semikha from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School\, he served as Director of Jewish Life and Learning for Hillel of Stanford University in Palo Alto\, CA. Daniel has performed and facilitated all over the world as a spoken word artist\, MC\, and creative educator\, and the Jewish Week selected him as one of their “36 Under 36” young innovators reshaping the Jewish community. Daniel is a cofounder of Lines of Faith\, a Muslim-Jewish hip hop and poetry collective that uses performances and workshops to challenge prejudice and build meaningful bonds between communities.\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/judaism-through-the-kaleidoscope-rabbi-abraham-isaac-kook/2024-06-05/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/DanielRS_RavKook_MayJune2024-2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240606T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240606T133000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233429 CREATED:20240104T163545Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240418T172905Z UID:23012-1717675200-1717680600@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Jewish Spiritual Autobiography DESCRIPTION:Thursdays\, May 16\, 23\, 30 and June 6\, 2024 \n12-1:30 p.m. EDT\n$180 for four sessions\n \n\nWhen we write out our spiritual paths\, it clarifies how ordinary moments of life can be holy moments. Writing a spiritual autobiography helps you to discover how teachers\, touchstones\, symbols and stories have led you to make meaning and understand the sacred in your personal story. In this immersion\, join Ritualwell’s Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer\, a writer and spiritual director\, to map out and narrate your most meaningful life experiences. We’ll read excerpts of powerful spiritual autobiographies to inspire us and expand our understanding of the formats that this kind of writing can take. There is also ample room to write about spiritual experiences that may be outside of a Jewish framework. This immersion is for everyone—whether you identify as a religious or spiritual person or are seeking a spiritual path. No prior creative writing experience needed.\n \n\nTopics we will explore include:\n\nUnderstanding your name/birth story\nExploring family lineage/Ancestral resilience\, trauma/connections\nMapping your spiritual journey/the sacred moments in your life\nAnd more…\n\n\nParticipants will have the opportunity to share feedback with the facilitator and present to the group through the immersion.\n \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 \n\nGabrielle Ariella Kaplan-Mayer is Ritualwell’s Director of Virtual Content and Programs. She is an author and educator whose work focuses on spirituality\, creativity and disability. Her personal essays have been featured in Tablet\, Shondaland\, NBCThink\, Wisdom Daily\, WHYY and many other publications and she has published several nonfiction books as well as plays for children. 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  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/jewish-spiritual-autobiography/2024-06-06/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/GabrielleKM_spiritualautobio_MayJune2024-2-e1713461326305.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240702T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240702T153000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233429 CREATED:20240509T161639Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240529T180036Z UID:24439-1719928800-1719934200@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Threading Stones: An Elul Tradition DESCRIPTION:Tuesdays\, July 2\, 9\, 16\, 23\, 30 and August 6\, 2024\n2-3:30 p.m. EDT\n$250\n \n\n\n\n\nPrepare yourself for Elul and the High Holy Days by learning an ancient tradition\, rarely taught by those who have practice in this tradition. \n\n\nFor generations\, Jewish women in Eastern Europe utilized threads to measure cemeteries and graves. These threads were used to create special soul candles known as neshome likht\, or sometimes as protective bands worn on wrists\, ankles\, or necks. Typically overseen by skilled women called feldmesterins\, activities such as feldmestn (cemetery measuring) and kneytlekh leygn (laying wicks) were most prevalent during Elul to prepare soul candles for Yom Kippur. \n\n\nIn this Ritualwell Immersion program\, you will be guided on how to carry out these rituals based on translated Yiddish ethnographic studies and memoirs. The session will include teaching Yiddish songs\, reciting tkhines (Yiddish prayers)\, and reading poems\, some of which are focused on this ritual. Delving into the history of this tradition will shed light on how cemeteries were perceived in shtetl society\, serving as a means to communicate with the deceased and seek their assistance. At the end of this Immersion\, you will be able to host a cemetery measuring event in Elul or any other time of the year. \n\n\nThis Immersion is open for all! If you are intrigued by Yiddish\, Jewish\, or local history; eager to explore overlooked folklore and protective practices; or seeking new avenues to connect with your ancestors; if you are a Jewish educator\, spiritual leader\, or community members interested in leading this program during the month of Elul at their local cemeteries: You are welcome to join us! \nWant to learn more? Watch this short video! \n\n\n\n \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 \n\nAnnabel Cohen is a PhD Student in Modern Jewish History at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America\, focusing on the interwar Jewish anti-fascist left. She has a Masters with distinction in History from the University of London. Alongside her PhD research\, Annabel researches and translates materials relating to Jewish women’s religiosity in Eastern Europe\, publishing her work on the blog www.pullingatthreads.com. Her essay on feldmesterins – cemetery measuring women – was published in the recent anthology Strange Fire: Jewish Voices from the Pandemic\, published by Ben Yehuda Press in 2021. She is one of the Yiddish Book Center’s 2023-24 Translation Fellows\, for which she is translating the memoirs of Communist journalist\, Gina Medem. Annie teaches Yiddish with the Workers’ Circle and YIVO\, and this coming academic year will be teaching Yiddish language\, history and culture at the Sorbonne university\, Paris. Since 2018\, Annie has been studying feminine and earth-based Jewish practice with the Kohenet Hebrew institute. She will be ordained as a Kohenet on August 18.\n \n\n\n\n\nSarah Chandler 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\nÉléonore Weill is a French-American vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Éléonore Weill creates and performs soulful interpretations of Klezmer\, Yiddish\, French\, Occitane music as well as original compositions\, poems and improvisations. In addition to her social justice Yiddish music ensemble Tsibele\, she performs and records internationally in a variety of ensembles with Frank London\, Michael Winograd\, Walter Thompson\, Joey Weisenberg and the Hadar Ensemble\, Kenny Wallesen\, FADA\, the Baroque Music Center of Versailles (C.M.B.V.)\, Orchestre National de Toulouse\, Midwood\, Les Saqueboutiers\, Miqueu Montanaro\, and many others. She also composed and played for Theater companies such as Doppelskope\, Great Small Works and Bread and Puppets and performs at leading international festivals including Yiddish New York\, the Ashkenaz Festival (Toronto)\, Kleztival (São Paulo)\, and KlezKanada (Quebec)\, Fun Dor Tsu Dor (Chateau Ligoure\, France) on wooden flutes\, piano\, accordion\, hurdy-gurdy\, and as a lead singer.\n\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/threading-stones-an-elul-tradition/2024-07-02/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/three_entrance_3.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240709T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240709T153000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233429 CREATED:20240509T161639Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240529T180037Z UID:24446-1720533600-1720539000@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Threading Stones: An Elul Tradition DESCRIPTION:Tuesdays\, July 2\, 9\, 16\, 23\, 30 and August 6\, 2024\n2-3:30 p.m. EDT\n$250\n \n\n\n\n\nPrepare yourself for Elul and the High Holy Days by learning an ancient tradition\, rarely taught by those who have practice in this tradition. \n\n\nFor generations\, Jewish women in Eastern Europe utilized threads to measure cemeteries and graves. These threads were used to create special soul candles known as neshome likht\, or sometimes as protective bands worn on wrists\, ankles\, or necks. Typically overseen by skilled women called feldmesterins\, activities such as feldmestn (cemetery measuring) and kneytlekh leygn (laying wicks) were most prevalent during Elul to prepare soul candles for Yom Kippur. \n\n\nIn this Ritualwell Immersion program\, you will be guided on how to carry out these rituals based on translated Yiddish ethnographic studies and memoirs. The session will include teaching Yiddish songs\, reciting tkhines (Yiddish prayers)\, and reading poems\, some of which are focused on this ritual. Delving into the history of this tradition will shed light on how cemeteries were perceived in shtetl society\, serving as a means to communicate with the deceased and seek their assistance. At the end of this Immersion\, you will be able to host a cemetery measuring event in Elul or any other time of the year. \n\n\nThis Immersion is open for all! If you are intrigued by Yiddish\, Jewish\, or local history; eager to explore overlooked folklore and protective practices; or seeking new avenues to connect with your ancestors; if you are a Jewish educator\, spiritual leader\, or community members interested in leading this program during the month of Elul at their local cemeteries: You are welcome to join us! \nWant to learn more? Watch this short video! \n\n\n\n \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 \n\nAnnabel Cohen is a PhD Student in Modern Jewish History at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America\, focusing on the interwar Jewish anti-fascist left. She has a Masters with distinction in History from the University of London. Alongside her PhD research\, Annabel researches and translates materials relating to Jewish women’s religiosity in Eastern Europe\, publishing her work on the blog www.pullingatthreads.com. Her essay on feldmesterins – cemetery measuring women – was published in the recent anthology Strange Fire: Jewish Voices from the Pandemic\, published by Ben Yehuda Press in 2021. She is one of the Yiddish Book Center’s 2023-24 Translation Fellows\, for which she is translating the memoirs of Communist journalist\, Gina Medem. Annie teaches Yiddish with the Workers’ Circle and YIVO\, and this coming academic year will be teaching Yiddish language\, history and culture at the Sorbonne university\, Paris. Since 2018\, Annie has been studying feminine and earth-based Jewish practice with the Kohenet Hebrew institute. She will be ordained as a Kohenet on August 18.\n \n\n\n\n\nSarah Chandler 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\nÉléonore Weill is a French-American vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Éléonore Weill creates and performs soulful interpretations of Klezmer\, Yiddish\, French\, Occitane music as well as original compositions\, poems and improvisations. In addition to her social justice Yiddish music ensemble Tsibele\, she performs and records internationally in a variety of ensembles with Frank London\, Michael Winograd\, Walter Thompson\, Joey Weisenberg and the Hadar Ensemble\, Kenny Wallesen\, FADA\, the Baroque Music Center of Versailles (C.M.B.V.)\, Orchestre National de Toulouse\, Midwood\, Les Saqueboutiers\, Miqueu Montanaro\, and many others. She also composed and played for Theater companies such as Doppelskope\, Great Small Works and Bread and Puppets and performs at leading international festivals including Yiddish New York\, the Ashkenaz Festival (Toronto)\, Kleztival (São Paulo)\, and KlezKanada (Quebec)\, Fun Dor Tsu Dor (Chateau Ligoure\, France) on wooden flutes\, piano\, accordion\, hurdy-gurdy\, and as a lead singer.\n\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/threading-stones-an-elul-tradition/2024-07-09/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/three_entrance_3.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240710T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240710T131500 DTSTAMP:20260403T233429 CREATED:20240516T142937Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240604T161336Z UID:24662-1720612800-1720617300@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Spiritual Resilience in a Time of War: Inspired by Etty Hillesum DESCRIPTION:Wednesdays\, July 10\, 17\, 24\, 31 and August 7\, 2024 \n12- 1:15 p.m. EDT\n$225\n \n\nIn a time of conflict and war\, we need practices that connect us to our humanity\, allowing us to tap into our inner strength and source of hope and peace. The writings of Etty Hillesum are a treasure trove of the human spirit; she wrote her diaries and letters from 1941 to 1943\, before her life was tragically cut short in Auschwitz. Her writings reveal an astonishing spiritual resilience and a universal love for humanity and for God\, even during the darkest times. While living through the dire historical circumstances encroaching on European Jewry\, she developed a deep and unflinching faith in humanity that carried her through the most difficult of times.\n \n\n\n\nIn this series of online gatherings\, we will read and discuss Hillesum’s writings as a springboard for creating our own spiritual and writing practices. We’ll explore major themes in her work: creativity\, prayer\, meditation\, love\, suffering\, acceptance\, death\, and freedom. We’ll engage in journaling\, meditation\, and prayer practices inspired by her work. With the intention of connecting to our inner voices and crafting our own paths to resilience\, we’ll support each other in imagining and creating a better world.\n \n\nThis course is open to people of all backgrounds.\n\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 \n\nPhoto by Paul Goyette\nHila Ratzabi is the author of the award-winning poetry collection There Are Still Woods (June Road Press\, 2022). Her poetry has been published widely in literary journals and in The Bloomsbury Anthology of Contemporary Jewish American Poetry and Ghost Fishing: An Eco-Justice Poetry Anthology. Her articles have appeared in publications including The Wisdom Daily\, MyJewishLearning.com\, the Jewish Daily Forward\, Kveller\, Alma\, and Zeek. From 2015–2023\, she ran Ritualwell.org\, publishing innovative Jewish rituals\, poetry\, and liturgy and curating online learning experiences. She is currently director of communications at North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe\, Illinois\, and lives in Oak Park outside Chicago. \n\n  \n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/spiritual-resilience-in-a-time-of-war-inspired-by-etty-hillesum/2024-07-10/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/SpiritualResilienceinaTimeofWar_JulyAug2024-raw.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240711T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240711T133000 DTSTAMP:20260403T233429 CREATED:20240523T155143Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240523T155316Z UID:24704-1720699200-1720704600@ritualwell.org SUMMARY:Can We Talk? Navigating Challenging Conversations DESCRIPTION:Thursdays\, July 11\, 18\, and 25\, 2024\n12–1:30 p.m. EDT\n$118\n \n\nWe reside in a rapidly evolving social landscape\, where our previously held beliefs may have shifted or become more pronounced. Regardless of our stances on various topics\, we often encounter conflicts with those around us. Is it possible to have productive discussions about our differences? If so\, how can we go about it effectively?\n \nThis mini-Immersion series invites you to delve into mastering the skill of navigating challenging conversations constructively. Explore identifying your triggers\, enhancing your understanding of differing perspectives\, and honing your listening skills. Based on the Jewish concepts of making debate possible and fruitful\, taught by Adva Chattler (MA\, Conflict Resolution and Management) of Ritualwell and a Makhloket Matters fellow\, you will be able to look at moments of conflict and decide upon your approach to it – not just respond at a heat of the moment. At the end of this Immersion\, you will be able to leave with practical tools to face difficult conversation\, wherever they meet you.\n \nSpecial guest speakers: Rosalie Gerut (MA) and Martina Emme (PhD)\, co-writers of the book “Journeys of Transformation: Confronting the Legacies of Conflict\, War and Genocide” describing their journey as descendants of Holocaust survivors and Nazi supporters who participating in dialogue groups that encouraged healing and growth on both sides.\n \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 \nAdva Chattler (she/her) is an Israeli-Mizrahi Jew\, born and raised in Be’er-Sheva\, Israel. 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. She is a Makhloket Matters fellow for Jewish professionals from the Pardes Institute and believes that even though we can’t avoid conflicts\, we can take the steps to avoid conflict escalation through education and practice. With her experience in teaching and curriculum building\, she support facilitators and presenters for Ritualwell and Reconstructing Judaism and encourages them to bring not only their best self\, but best practices and tools for successful teaching online. Adva lives in Del Rio\, Tx.\, with her husband\, daughters and their dogs.\n  URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/can-we-talk-navigating-challenging-conversations/2024-07-11/ LOCATION:Zoom CATEGORIES:Immersions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/CanWeTalk_Adva_July2024-raw.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR