Elul Workshops & Programs
Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary: Body as Vessel
Sunday August 23rd | 11:00am-1:00pm @ Hidden Temple
with Simon Wolff
In this session we will reflect on what ritual, routines, and rhythms we wish to attune to leading up to the Days of Awe. How might we align our embodied habits such that our bodies, minds, and spirits are ready to move through the High Holidays with courage, growing self-love, embodied presence, resilience, and a willingness and availability to be transformed?
In this frenetic and turbulent time, how can we be a vessel to listen for Hashem’s radical love, care, and guidance – toward personal and collective teshuvah and liberation? Join Simon to drop in around these themes as we collaborate with the energies of Elul, in service of a potent and alchemical Chag.
Soul Candle Workshop & Ritual
Sunday August 23rd | 2:30pm-4:30pm @ Hidden Temple
with Ollie Schwartz
Come participate in the ancient work of soul candle creation. Together we will revive ancient grief practices long forgotten. Let us pick up the braided wick once carried by our transcestors and those on the fringes and continue the sacred work of tending the edges, and being with the immensity of loss.
Together we will learn about soul candles and tkhines, two Jewish traditions which have been lost to time under assimilation/white supremacy and patriarchy. We will practice “measuring the wick,” a collective grief practice to prepare the wick for dipping in wax. We will then dip soul candles, ritual candles, which are lit on Yom Kippur to honor the dead when the veil between the worlds is thin. Additionally, we will learn a tkhines, Yiddish prayers written by women that have been lost to history until recently when they were uncovered through the archival work of Jewish trans folks and women.
Rosh Hashanah Mikveh
Thursday September 10th | 6:00pm-7:15pm @ Mill River
with Nina Gordon-Kirsch
Join us for a community mikveh, a Jewish ritual cleanse that is traditionally done before Rosh Hashanah to prepare our bodies and souls for the high holiday portal. We will sing, set intentions, let go of whatever we need to leave behind, and welcome in the 5787 and visions of Olam Haba. Bathing suit optional. All ages welcome!
Accessibility: There is parking right next to the river. The approach to get to the water is on dirt, not pavement, and roughly 40 yards from the parked cars - but one could park roughly 10 yards from the river if there is a need to park closer. This event will take place outdoors and masks are not required. There will be no sound amplification nor ASL interpretation.
Trans Mikveh: Fortifying Our Bodily Sovereignty & Spiritual Resilience
Friday September 11th | 4:00pm-5:00pm @ Mill River
with Simon Wolff
Join Simon Wolff (they/he) for a trans mikveh where we will immerse for the sake of being re-born anew, as we have done many times before. We will circle together with song and quiet time for reflection and optional sharing before proceeding to the water. The three immersions will represent the past (release/integrate), present (center/attune), and future (orient/call in). Within that flow, your personal kavanot may include:
- ~ Marking a threshold around gender transition, coming out, and/or sacred bodily milestones;
- ~ Honoring and celebrating bodily autonomy as holy mitzvot and transness as holiness;
- ~ Releasing old narratives and/or past versions of ourselves into the living waters;
- ~ Affirming or orienting to a new chapter/new vision for what you are inviting into your life in 5787;
- ~ Participating in supportive communal with-nessing of one another as we prepare our body/mind/neshamas for the Days of Awe.
No previous experience with mikveh required – come as you are. We will immerse in the Mill River, which includes several steps down uneven terrain to get to the river’s edge. Bathing suites / clothing optional. There will be a crew of trans allied volunteers helping to anchor a safe and secure sacred container / around the perimeter of where we will be immersing.
Accessibility: This trail is not wheelchair accessible. There is a ~4 min walk from the parking lot on a trail to get to the river. The approach to get to the water is on dirt, not pavement. This event will take place outdoors and masks are not required. There will be no sound amplification nor ASL interpretation.