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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250604T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250604T133000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
CREATED:20250317T213244Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250521T175132Z
UID:30131-1749038400-1749043800@ritualwell.org
SUMMARY:Counting the Omer: A Neshamah Recharge
DESCRIPTION:The Counting of the Omer is a time for spiritual introspection and growth. During a time when many of us are feeling deflated and anxious about the state of the world\, this ritual can help us to recharge our Neshamah\, our soul. \nRitualwell is here for you! Through the 7-week period of the Omer\, we’ll provide you with support\, accountability\, community and creative inspiration to do this spiritual work.  \n\n\nEvery week\, we will send you an Omer guide for the upcoming week\, aligned with that week’s spiritual theme. This guide will include Jewish wisdom texts\, readings\, sensory explorations\, and creativity prompts for the week. The printable PDF will be sent electronically and can be accessed online. When you sign up for Counting the Omer: A Neshamah Recharge\, you are also invited to join us for three special community events throughout the Omer period: \n\n\n\nApril 16\, 2025\, 12 -1:00 p.m. EDT (Recording access now available): Ignite Your Omer Counting with a gathering led by Kohenet Sarah Chandler. Whether you’re new to counting or have participated in this ritual for many years\, Sarah will provide us with a fresh perspective on the sefirah of hesed. How do you embody deeds of lovingkindness\, g’milut hasadim? We will explore ancient and modern sources for love in action\, through the sefirah of hesed. Whether you are looking to call upon divine love\, to nourish self love or discover strategies for caring for others (without burnout)\, this workshop is for anyone who is ready to tap into the flow of hesed in the first week of the omer. \nMay 15\, 2025\, 12 -1:00 p.m. EDT: Nurture Your Omer Counting midway through the Omer with artist and Kohenet Bekah Starr.  We’ll begin with a creativity warm-up exercise\, followed by an exploration of a Lag B’Omer artwork by a Jewish artist\, uncovering new insights and art techniques. Explore how art can be studied and interpreted like Torah\, revealing layers of meaning and inspiration. Then\, create your own artistic response—whether through visual art\, poetry\, prayer\, or short story—fostering creativity\, artistic growth\, and a deeper connection to Jewish artistic expression.Bekah will lead us in a generative workshop exploring what we’ve discovered through the Omer so far.\n\n‘Counting the Omer: A Neshama Recharge’ is part of Ritualwell’s annual campaign to sustain our work. Ritualwell’s mission to create a welcoming space for individuals from diverse backgrounds who wish to embrace Jewish practice has become more vital than ever. \nWe know that you appreciate us being here for you. And we need you. Ritualwell’s free offerings are made possible by gifts from people like you. \nRegister now and support our mission as we support you through the Omer–and beyond.
URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/counting-the-omer-a-neshamah-recharge/2025-06-04/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Neshamah-Recharge-Omer-campaign-.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250515T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250515T133000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
CREATED:20250317T213244Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250521T175131Z
UID:30050-1747310400-1747315800@ritualwell.org
SUMMARY:Counting the Omer: A Neshamah Recharge
DESCRIPTION:The Counting of the Omer is a time for spiritual introspection and growth. During a time when many of us are feeling deflated and anxious about the state of the world\, this ritual can help us to recharge our Neshamah\, our soul. \nRitualwell is here for you! Through the 7-week period of the Omer\, we’ll provide you with support\, accountability\, community and creative inspiration to do this spiritual work.  \n\n\nEvery week\, we will send you an Omer guide for the upcoming week\, aligned with that week’s spiritual theme. This guide will include Jewish wisdom texts\, readings\, sensory explorations\, and creativity prompts for the week. The printable PDF will be sent electronically and can be accessed online. When you sign up for Counting the Omer: A Neshamah Recharge\, you are also invited to join us for three special community events throughout the Omer period: \n\n\n\nApril 16\, 2025\, 12 -1:00 p.m. EDT (Recording access now available): Ignite Your Omer Counting with a gathering led by Kohenet Sarah Chandler. Whether you’re new to counting or have participated in this ritual for many years\, Sarah will provide us with a fresh perspective on the sefirah of hesed. How do you embody deeds of lovingkindness\, g’milut hasadim? We will explore ancient and modern sources for love in action\, through the sefirah of hesed. Whether you are looking to call upon divine love\, to nourish self love or discover strategies for caring for others (without burnout)\, this workshop is for anyone who is ready to tap into the flow of hesed in the first week of the omer. \nMay 15\, 2025\, 12 -1:00 p.m. EDT: Nurture Your Omer Counting midway through the Omer with artist and Kohenet Bekah Starr.  We’ll begin with a creativity warm-up exercise\, followed by an exploration of a Lag B’Omer artwork by a Jewish artist\, uncovering new insights and art techniques. Explore how art can be studied and interpreted like Torah\, revealing layers of meaning and inspiration. Then\, create your own artistic response—whether through visual art\, poetry\, prayer\, or short story—fostering creativity\, artistic growth\, and a deeper connection to Jewish artistic expression.Bekah will lead us in a generative workshop exploring what we’ve discovered through the Omer so far.\n\n‘Counting the Omer: A Neshama Recharge’ is part of Ritualwell’s annual campaign to sustain our work. Ritualwell’s mission to create a welcoming space for individuals from diverse backgrounds who wish to embrace Jewish practice has become more vital than ever. \nWe know that you appreciate us being here for you. And we need you. Ritualwell’s free offerings are made possible by gifts from people like you. \nRegister now and support our mission as we support you through the Omer–and beyond.
URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/counting-the-omer-a-neshamah-recharge/2025-05-15/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Neshamah-Recharge-Omer-campaign-.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250428T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250428T141500
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
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:20250416T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250416T133000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
CREATED:20250317T213244Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250521T175130Z
UID:30048-1744804800-1744810200@ritualwell.org
SUMMARY:Counting the Omer: A Neshamah Recharge
DESCRIPTION:The Counting of the Omer is a time for spiritual introspection and growth. During a time when many of us are feeling deflated and anxious about the state of the world\, this ritual can help us to recharge our Neshamah\, our soul. \nRitualwell is here for you! Through the 7-week period of the Omer\, we’ll provide you with support\, accountability\, community and creative inspiration to do this spiritual work.  \n\n\nEvery week\, we will send you an Omer guide for the upcoming week\, aligned with that week’s spiritual theme. This guide will include Jewish wisdom texts\, readings\, sensory explorations\, and creativity prompts for the week. The printable PDF will be sent electronically and can be accessed online. When you sign up for Counting the Omer: A Neshamah Recharge\, you are also invited to join us for three special community events throughout the Omer period: \n\n\n\nApril 16\, 2025\, 12 -1:00 p.m. EDT (Recording access now available): Ignite Your Omer Counting with a gathering led by Kohenet Sarah Chandler. Whether you’re new to counting or have participated in this ritual for many years\, Sarah will provide us with a fresh perspective on the sefirah of hesed. How do you embody deeds of lovingkindness\, g’milut hasadim? We will explore ancient and modern sources for love in action\, through the sefirah of hesed. Whether you are looking to call upon divine love\, to nourish self love or discover strategies for caring for others (without burnout)\, this workshop is for anyone who is ready to tap into the flow of hesed in the first week of the omer. \nMay 15\, 2025\, 12 -1:00 p.m. EDT: Nurture Your Omer Counting midway through the Omer with artist and Kohenet Bekah Starr.  We’ll begin with a creativity warm-up exercise\, followed by an exploration of a Lag B’Omer artwork by a Jewish artist\, uncovering new insights and art techniques. Explore how art can be studied and interpreted like Torah\, revealing layers of meaning and inspiration. Then\, create your own artistic response—whether through visual art\, poetry\, prayer\, or short story—fostering creativity\, artistic growth\, and a deeper connection to Jewish artistic expression.Bekah will lead us in a generative workshop exploring what we’ve discovered through the Omer so far.\n\n‘Counting the Omer: A Neshama Recharge’ is part of Ritualwell’s annual campaign to sustain our work. Ritualwell’s mission to create a welcoming space for individuals from diverse backgrounds who wish to embrace Jewish practice has become more vital than ever. \nWe know that you appreciate us being here for you. And we need you. Ritualwell’s free offerings are made possible by gifts from people like you. \nRegister now and support our mission as we support you through the Omer–and beyond.
URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/counting-the-omer-a-neshamah-recharge/2025-04-16/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Neshamah-Recharge-Omer-campaign-.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240627T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240627T203000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
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:20231026T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231026T133000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
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:20231026T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231026T123000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
CREATED:20231019T162357Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231020T193838Z
UID:21751-1698321600-1698323400@ritualwell.org
SUMMARY:Ritualwell Community Event: Holding Each Other with Rabbi Annie Lewis
DESCRIPTION:Take time to pause and pen with the Ritualwell community on Thursday\, October 26 at 12-12:30 p.m. \nWe’re all holding many emotions and concerns that change day by day\, hour by hour. Poetry\, prayer and creative expression can bring comfort and provide us with support. \nTogether we will say the Mi Sheberach for healing and Kaddish for the fallen\, and pray for the captives.\nBring pen and paper–Rabbi Annie Lewis will lead us in an expressive prompt.\nPour out your feelings in words\, images\, doodles or whatever works best for you. \nWe look forward to seeing you. Invite a friend or loved one who might appreciate this comforting space. \nRegistration through Zoom. \nRabbi Annie Lewis was ordained from The Jewish Theological Seminary in 2012\, received a master’s degree in Jewish women’s and gender studies and was awarded a Wexner Graduate Fellowship. She served as Assistant Rabbi of Germantown Jewish Centre from 2012-2016.  Rabbi Lewis has served as a visiting rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel in Gulfport\, Mississippi and has led community organizing trainings with JOIN for Justice. Annie studied linguistic anthropology at Brown University and at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. She fell in love with Judaism at Camp Ramah in the Poconos\, delved into Torah at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem and spent a year as a madricha (counselor) for the Conservative Movement’s Nativ College Leadership program in Israel.  Rabbi Lewis has been in training as a couples and family therapist and brings this relationship toolkit to supporting people through life transitions and to officiating at life cycle events. She is a singer\, poet and performance artist with roots in the Storahtelling ritual theater company. Her writing has been published by Ritualwell\, Lilith and Kveller. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband\, Rabbi Yosef Goldman\, and their children\, Zohar Lieba and Shir Emet.
URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/ritualwell-community-event-holding-each-other-israel-on-our-hearts-2/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Event,Free,Standalone session
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:20231019T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231019T123000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
CREATED:20231016T223126Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231016T223731Z
UID:21679-1697716800-1697718600@ritualwell.org
SUMMARY:Ritualwell Community Event: Holding Each Other: Israel on our Hearts
DESCRIPTION:Take time to pause and pen with the Ritualwell community this Thursday\, October 19 at 12-12:30 p.m. \nWe’re all holding many emotions and concerns that change day by day\, hour by hour. Poetry\, prayer and creative expression can bring comfort and provide us with support. \nTogether we will say the Mi Sheberach for healing and Kaddish for the fallen\, and pray for the captives.\nBring pen and paper–poet Cathleen Cohen will lead us in an expressive prompt.\nPour out your feelings in words\, images\, doodles or whatever works best for you. \nWe look forward to seeing you. Invite a friend or loved one who might appreciate this comforting space. \nRegistration through Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsdeGtrjwrGNQMObJ6Y8-MJfI3Sakj_2qW
URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/ritualwell-community-event-holding-each-other-israel-on-our-hearts/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Event,Free,Standalone session
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:20230629T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230629T200000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
CREATED:20230509T165745Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230602T140236Z
UID:18203-1688065200-1688068800@ritualwell.org
SUMMARY:ADVOT End-of-year Celebration
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate the end of our second year of ADVOT@Ritualwell\, our cohort of ritual innovators\, poets and liturgists. Members of our community will read work created this year and we’ll celebrate the publication of our second annual anthology Like a Tree By Water. \nPurchase the ADVOT anthology\, Like a Tree By Water. \nADVOT@Ritualwell is an online creative community of ritual innovators\, poets\, and liturgists who meet regularly to share work and support and empower each other to create and innovate Jewish ritual\, poetry\, and liturgy. Launched in 2021\, ADVOT means “ripples” in Hebrew. RIPL (pronounced “ripple”) is the acronym of “Ritual Innovators\, Poets\, Liturgists.” \nThank you to Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah for supporting ADVOT. \nThis event will be recorded and sent to registrants. \nWe are happy to offer this event for free. A suggested $18 donation has been added to the ticket. If you are unable to donate\, you may remove that suggested amount from the ticket. Please consider donating if you’re able\, to help us continue to offer free programs like this one. \nBy registering for a Ritualwell program you will be automatically added to our e-newsletter. You may unsubscribe at any time.
URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/advot-celebration/
CATEGORIES:ADVOT,Event,Free
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Advot-EOY-Celebratation-June-2023-RAW.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230419T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230419T150000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
CREATED:20220824T180141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220824T180141Z
UID:14151-1681912800-1681916400@ritualwell.org
SUMMARY:ADVOT@Ritualwell Studio sessions - Spring semester
DESCRIPTION:Join in for a time to create and connect!
URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/advotritualwell-studio-sessions-spring-semester/2023-04-19/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:ADVOT,Monthly program
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230313T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230313T120000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
CREATED:20230106T184212Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230126T235807Z
UID:16647-1678705200-1678708800@ritualwell.org
SUMMARY:Poetic Midrash: A Conversation between Hila Ratzabi and Alden Solovy
DESCRIPTION:Join Ritualwell’s Hila Ratzabi in conversation with liturgist Alden Solovy in discussion of his new book\, These Words: Poetic Midrash on the Language of Torah. Hila and Alden will explore creative midrash and the process he used to write 70 poetic midrashim on individual words of Torah. Alden will also read selections from the book and discuss the Torah learning behind several of the poems. \n \nAlden Solovy spreads joy and excitement for prayer. An American Israeli liturgist\, lyricist\, poet\, author\, and educator\, Alden is the Liturgist-in-Residence for the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. Alden teaches prayer and spirituality throughout the world. Based in Jerusalem\, his six solo books include These Words: Poetic Midrash on the Language of Torah\, This Grateful Heart: Psalms and Prayers for a New Day\, This Joyous Soul: A New Voice for Ancient Yearnings\, and This Precious Life: Encountering the Divine with Poetry and Prayer\, all published by CCAR Press. A regular contributor to Ritualwell and a member of the Ritualwell Immersion faculty\, his work is anthologized in more than 20 other volumes across the religious spectrum. Alden also contributes regularly to RavBlog\, ReformJudaism.org\, and the Times of Israel. He’s a three-time winner of the Peter Lisagor Award for Exemplary Journalism. Alden made aliyah to Jerusalem in 2012. See his work at www.tobendlight.com. Alden can be reached at alden@tobendlight.com. \nThe session will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience. \nWe are happy to offer this event for free. A suggested $18 donation has been added to the ticket. If you are unable to donate\, you may remove that suggested amount from the ticket. Please consider donating if you’re able\, to help us continue to offer free programs like this one.
URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/poetic-midrash-a-conversation-between-hila-ratzabi-and-alden-solovy/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Event,Free
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/Poetic-Midrash-A-Conversation-between-Hila-Ratzabi-and-Alden-Solovy-Raw-for-Web.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230222T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230222T133000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
CREATED:20220907T174747Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230207T193232Z
UID:15026-1677067200-1677072600@ritualwell.org
SUMMARY:The Thinking Heart: Facing our Fears with the Wisdom of Etty Hillesum
DESCRIPTION:“Let me be the thinking heart of these barracks.” – Etty Hillesum \nThese powerful words were written from within Camp Westerbork\, a transit camp in the Netherlands\, by one of the most extraordinary writers during the Holocaust. Etty Hillesum was murdered in Auschwitz in 1943 at the age of 29. The diaries that she wrote in the last two years of her life are a document full of love\, spirituality\, compassion\, and trust in life. With Hillesum as our inspiration\, we will challenge ourselves to tap into our own “thinking hearts”: to face our feelings with awareness\, to see the “other” without animosity\, hatred\, or bitterness. We will explore how Hillesum’s teachings can support the healing of individuals and nations. We will ask: What does it mean to be the thinking heart in times ruled by violence and fear? How can we connect with the power of our hearts? What is the guidance of my thinking heart? The session will include meditation\, writing exercises\, and group sharing. \nDina Awwad-Srour and Emma Sham-ba Ayalon are passionate women and peace workers who work for social change and global healing. Dina (Palestinian) is a lecturer and a writer on issues of women’s empowerment and sexuality. Emma Sham-Ba (Israeli) is a rabbi\, poet\, and artist. They created the Etty Hillesum Cards in three languages (English\, Hebrew\, and Arabic) in order to share the inspiration of Hillesum’s writings with others. \nThe session will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience. \nWe are happy to offer this session for free. A suggested $18 donation has been added to the ticket. If you are unable to donate\, you may remove that suggested amount from the ticket. Please consider donating if you’re able\, to help us continue to offer free programs like this one.
URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/the-thinking-heart-facing-our-fears-with-the-wisdom-of-etty-hillesum/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Free,Standalone session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/The-Thinking-Heart-Square-Social-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230109T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230109T130000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
CREATED:20220824T175458Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220824T175936Z
UID:14089-1673265600-1673269200@ritualwell.org
SUMMARY:ADVOT@Ritualwell Studio sessions - Winter semester
DESCRIPTION:Join in for a time to create and connect!
URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/advotritualwell-studio-sessions-winter-semester/2023-01-09/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:ADVOT,Monthly program
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20221025T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20221025T150000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
CREATED:20220824T174612Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220824T180214Z
UID:13989-1666706400-1666710000@ritualwell.org
SUMMARY:ADVOT@Ritualwell Studio sessions - Fall semester
DESCRIPTION:Join in for a time to create and connect!
URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/advotritualwell-studio-sessions-fall-semester/2022-10-25/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:ADVOT,Monthly program
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220921T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220921T140000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
CREATED:20220822T171809Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220915T044511Z
UID:13401-1663758000-1663768800@ritualwell.org
SUMMARY:Ritualwell Open House – September 21st
DESCRIPTION:Hosted by Hila Ratzabi & Adva Chattler \nExplore Ritualwell’s online learning offerings at our open house days! Enjoy a taste of our faculty’s inspiring teachings with short\, 30-minute sessions. Free and open to all. \nOpen House sessions schedule: \n11:00 a.m. EDT\, Ellen Blum Barish: “Leaving a Legacy by Letter”\nThe letter has deep roots in Judaism. After his exile from Spain\, medieval Jewish rabbi Nachmanides (the Ramban) sent a letter to his son offering his blueprint for an ethical life. We will read Ramban’s letter as well as other literary letters to get a feel for how values and beliefs have been expressed and passed along to others. You will leave with writing prompts to help you explore your core values that may find articulation via letter. \n  \n \n11:30 a.m. EDT – ADVOT Info session\nCurious about ADVOT@Ritualwell\, our year-long cohort for ritual innovators\, poets\, and liturgists? Hop into an info session to ask your questions and learn more about this dynamic\, online\, Jewish creative community! \n  \n12:00 p.m. EDT\, Rachel Neve-Midbar: “Restoring the Soul: Entering the World of the Psalms”\nThe Torah offers us a vision of the world as it is and the world as we hope it might be. This is nowhere better exemplified than in the 150 poems written by a most imperfect man: David\, King of Israel. Enter the world of this gorgeous poetry that marries our flawed world with our hopes and dreams of a world beyond our own. \n  \n1:00 p.m. EDT\, Alden Solovy: “Song at the Sea: A Liturgy for the Ages”\nExplore the liturgical layers of Shirat Ha-Yam\, the Song at the Sea\, sung in triumph by the Israelites after crossing the Red Sea. Using both text study and guided visualization\, poet and liturgist Alden Solovy will guide us on our own journey to find meaning in this ancient song and to find writing prompts woven throughout the text. \n  \n2:00 p.m. EDT\, Sivan Rotholz: “Why Feminist Torah Matters”\nWhat is feminist Torah? Who writes it? Who reads it? And how does our Jewish experience open up when we re-encounter our sacred texts through a feminist lens? Join gynocentric Torah scholar and student rabbi Sivan Rotholz as we take a dip into the world of feminist Torah and discover\, together\, some of its treasures. \n 
URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/ritualwell-open-house-september-21st/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Free,Standalone session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/Open-House-Sept-7-ForWeb.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220914T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220914T140000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
CREATED:20220822T170146Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220909T214125Z
UID:13376-1663153200-1663164000@ritualwell.org
SUMMARY:Ritualwell Open House – September 14th
DESCRIPTION:Hosted by Hila Ratzabi & Adva Chattler \nExplore Ritualwell’s online learning offerings at our open house days! Enjoy a taste of our faculty’s inspiring teachings with short\, 30-minute sessions. Free and open to all. \nOpen House sessions schedule: \n11:00 a.m. EDT\, Leslie Contreras Schwartz: “Poetry as Prayer: Writing the Personal through Invocation”\nPoetry can be a conduit to exploring how our own lives connect to a sense of the Divine. We will explore how poets can examine the personal using aspects of prayer in their work. We will study poems that act as prayer or relate to prayer by Jewish writers\, and take home a prompt to start our own personal prayer-poem. \n  \n11:30 a.m. EDT\, Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein: “Returning to our Deepest Selves: Lessons on Teshuvah from Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook”\nTeshuvah is sometimes understood as “repentance\,” but a more accurate translation would be “return.” Join us to explore perhaps its most important aspect: the journey of returning to our most authentic selves. Together\, we will learn and reflect upon our responses to heart-opening teachings about teshuvah from the great twentieth-century poet and mystic\, Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook. \n  \n12:00 p.m. EDT\, Trisha Arlin: “Truth and the Talking Donkey” \nWhat is truth telling? In parashat Balak\, it’s a talking donkey (and his passenger)\, and these days\, in shul\, sometimes it can be the liturgist and the poet. We will examine the relationship between truth and prayer\, and ask: What does a good talking donkey need to be their best self? \n  \n  \n \n12:30 p.m. EDT\, ADVOT Info session\nCurious about ADVOT@Ritualwell\, our year-long cohort for ritual innovators\, poets\, and liturgists? Hop into an info session to ask your questions and learn more about this dynamic\, online\, Jewish creative community! \n  \n1:00 p.m. EDT\, Amy Gottlieb: “A Taste of Story Magic: Short Story / Life Story”\nHow can a very short story contain the magnitude of a life story? We’ll dip into a brief short story by Grace Paley\, dissect its magic tricks\, and talk about how time is an invisible thread running through all good fiction. At the end of the session\, I’ll offer an inspiring prompt for sketching a short story / life story of your own.\n \n  \n2:00 p.m. EDT\, Ayeola Omolara Kaplan: “Dreaming up Olam Shalem: Creating a World that is Whole”\nExplore the creative relationship between Jewish spirituality and the practice of using art to build a holy society with Ayeola Omolara Kaplan\, a Black\, Queer\, and Jewish artist. Our conversation will inspire a collaborative artwork that Ayeola will begin sketching during the session and share with participants the following week. This experience will model a playful way to engage in Jewish spirituality that you can practice whenever you need to recharge your sense of hope and possibility. The collaborative art piece will serve as a reminder of the divine world we aspire to create together. \nThese sessions will not be recorded.
URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/ritualwell-open-house-september-14th/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Event,Free,Other Events,Standalone session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/Open-House-Sept-7-ForWeb.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220908T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220908T200000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
CREATED:20220817T220143Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220823T184825Z
UID:11557-1662663600-1662667200@ritualwell.org
SUMMARY:Voices of the Divine Feminine: A Poetry Reading with Joy Ladin & Hila Ratzabi
DESCRIPTION:Hosted by Rabbi Deborah Waxman\nJoin us in celebrating the launch of two visionary new books of poetry. Shekhinah Speaks\, by Joy Ladin\, gives voices to the Divine Feminine by remixing language from the Book of Isaiah and Cosmopolitan magazine. There Are Still Woods\, by Hila Ratzabi\, is an urgent\, prayerful book of poems responding to the climate crisis\, and includes the voices of spirits\, gods\, and goddesses from a variety of sources. The poets will each read from their books and engage in a discussion with Rabbi Deborah Waxman on the creative process of tapping into the Divine Feminine to express the inexpressible. Audience Q&A will follow. \nJoy Ladin has published ten books of poetry\, including her new collection\, Shekhinah Speaks (Selva Oscura Press); The Book of Anna\, winner of the National Jewish Book Award; and Transmigration\, a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award. She is also the author of a memoir of gender transition\, Through the Door of Life\, which was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award\, and The Soul of the Stranger: Reading God and Torah from a Transgender Perspective\, a finalist for the Lambda Literary Awards and the Triangle Award. Ladin has received fellowships and scholarships from the National Endowment for the Arts\, the Fulbright Foundation\, and the American Council of Learned Societies Research\, among other honors. A nationally recognized speaker on transgender issues\, she convenes an online conversation series\, “Containing Multitudes\,” which is available at JewishLive.org/multitudes. Her writing is available at joyladin.wordpress.com. \nHila Ratzabi is the author of the poetry collection There Are Still Woods\, forthcoming in September 2022 from June Road Press. She holds a BA in English/Creative Writing from Barnard College\, a BA in Jewish Philosophy from the Jewish Theological Seminary (Double Degree Program\, 2003)\, and an MFA in Poetry from Sarah Lawrence College (2007). Her poetry is published in a variety of 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. Ratzabi is Director of Virtual Content & Programs at Ritualwell.org and lives in Oak Park\, Il.\, outside Chicago\, with her spouse and two children. \nRabbi Deborah Waxman\, Ph.D.\, president and CEO of Reconstructing Judaism\, is the first woman rabbi to head a Jewish congregational union and seminary. She has drawn on her training as a rabbi and historian to be the Reconstructionist movement’s leading voice in the public square. Her writing has appeared in the Forward\, The Times of Israel\, The Philadelphia Inquirer\, HuffPost\, Jewish Telegraphic Agency\, and other news and academic outlets. Rabbi Waxman was named an LGBT History Icon in 2020. She projects a vision of Judaism that embraces all people and inspires Jews to be strong allies to the most vulnerable 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.
URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/voices-of-the-divine-feminine-a-poetry-reading-with-joy-ladin-hila-ratzabi/
CATEGORIES:Event,Free
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/Divine-Feminine-Sept822-ForWeb.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220907T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220907T140000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
CREATED:20220822T164623Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220824T164803Z
UID:13352-1662548400-1662559200@ritualwell.org
SUMMARY:Ritualwell Open House – September 7th
DESCRIPTION:Hosted by Hila Ratzabi & Adva Chattler \nExplore Ritualwell’s online learning offerings at our open house days! Enjoy a taste of our faculty’s inspiring teachings with short\, 30-minute sessions. Free and open to all. \nOpen House sessions schedule: \n11:00 a.m. EDT\, Hila Ratzabi: “Writing the Earth’s Torah”\nNow more than ever we need to give voice to the Earth’s cry for protection and reverence. Join poet Hila Ratzabi in exploring a few texts from the Psalms and Kabbalah that will serve as our inspiration for writing our own environmental prayers and poems. No writing experience necessary! \n  \n11:30 a.m. EDT\, Sonia Gordon-Walinsky: “An Artistic Interpretation of the Name Pasuk”\nDiscover the tradition of the “name pasuk” (name verse)—a medieval minhag (custom) that Rashi refers to as an “ancient remedy”—and how artist Sonia Gordon-Walinsky is transforming it into an expression of personal connection to Torah/Tanakh. \n  \n12:00 p.m. EDT\, Cathy Cohen: “Ekphrasis: The Poet” \nMarc Chagall painted Half-Past Three (The Poet) in 1911 after leaving Russia and settling in Paris among the community of artists and poets. This painting of his friend\, the poet Alexander Mazin\, conveys energy and emotion as well as a variety of intriguing symbols. It’s a perfect springboard for us to explore the relationship between painter and poet\, between visual art and written text. We will write our own ekphrastic poems based on the painting. \n12:30 p.m. EDT\, Rabbi Haviva Ner-David: “Finding Hope in Israel/Palestine”\nJoin rabbi and author Haviva Ner-David to hear about some of what is happening in Israel/Palestine that offers glimmers of hope: stories you don’t tend to hear in the mainstream media. She will share about her ongoing activity as part of a growing Arab-Jewish movement working together to build a shared equal and just society through deep listening\, acknowledging one another’s narratives\, healing collective trauma\, and joint grassroots activism to build a better future for all in Israel/Palestine. \n1:00 p.m. EDT\, Mike Brown: “Planning Your Jewish Garden”\nWhat makes a “Jewish garden”? Some plants will help transport you to different times and places; others will entice your senses with aromas\, tastes\, and beauty\, while providing fruits and vegetables for Jewish holidays. This session will prepare you to “hit the ground running” in the spring with tips on preparing your Jewish garden. In honor of the upcoming Jewish New Year\, we will also discuss ways to help bees by patronizing local beekeepers and planting flowers\, shrubs\, and trees that nourish bees. \n \n1:30 p.m. EDT – ADVOT Info session\nCurious about ADVOT@Ritualwell\, our year-long cohort for ritual innovators\, poets\, and liturgists? Hop into an info session to ask your questions and learn more about this dynamic\, online\, Jewish creative community! \n 
URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/ritualwell-open-house-september-7th/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Event,Free,Other Events,Standalone session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/Open-House-Sept-7-ForWeb.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220827T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220827T210000
DTSTAMP:20260428T110937
CREATED:20220817T220143Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220822T181714Z
UID:11556-1661630400-1661634000@ritualwell.org
SUMMARY:Making Ripples: Celebrating ADVOT@Ritualwell
DESCRIPTION:Hosted by Hila Ratzabi & Adva Chattler\nJoin us to celebrate the first year of ADVOT@Ritualwell\, an online creative community of ritual innovators\, poets and liturgists. All year long our members have been writing new poems\, prayers and rituals\, nourished by monthly salons on topics related to Jewish creativity\, and supporting each other at our weekly online writing studio. We now come together to celebrate the fruits of our creative labor and hear the voices of our inspiring community. This event is free and open to all. \nFeaturing: Terry Boyle\, Jane Blumenthal\, Alex Carter\, Jessica de Koninck\, Batya Diamond\, Janet Madden\, Heather Paul\, Danielle Selber\, Janice Steinberg\, Amy Steingart\, Karen Webber \nDonations are welcome and will support the ADVOT program. \nADVOT@Ritualwell is an online creative community of ritual innovators\, poets and liturgists who meet regularly to share work and support and empower each other to create and innovate Jewish ritual\, poetry and liturgy. Launched in 2021\, ADVOT means “ripples” in Hebrew. RIPL (pronounced “ripple”) is the acronym of “Ritual Innovators\, Poets\, Liturgists.” \nThank you to Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah for supporting ADVOT. \n 
URL:https://ritualwell.org/event/making-ripples-celebrating-advotritualwell/
CATEGORIES:Event,Free
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ritualwell.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/TT-Ritualwell-Making-Ripples-Aug2022-ForWeb-e1661192150439.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR