Embodied Judaism
What is “Embodied Judaism?”
As a musician, Jewish prayer leader, and teacher of the Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education, I have spent the last decade and more developing a unique blend of these pursuits, combining deep mind-body awareness with the musical, spiritual and intellectual traditions of Jewish prayer, to create an experience I call “Embodied Judaism.”
Embodied Judaism programs draw on the principles of the Feldenkrais Method and its unique process of Awareness Through Movement to develop in participants a deep sense of mind-body connection, which we put in context by — and in turn, shed light on — close readings of jewish text drawn from biblical, liturgical, Rabbinic, and Hasidic sources.
Texts are taught at a level appropriate to the attending participants — from non-Jews to rabbis.
Programs are open to anyone with a body — no prior movement experience or ability is necessary.
I am available to teach these materials in many formats: as a single Adult Ed evening or weekend workshop, a series of classes, an element during services, or as a shabbaton retreat. I am always developing new programs, and am more than happy to try something new and customized to your community’s needs!
Read articles about Embodied Judaism
Available programs (click for more info):
- All My Bones Declare: Praying with Your Body
- Beyond Bowing: A Deep Dive into Embodied Jewish Prayer
- In the Image of God: Embodiment in — and of — the Rabbinic Texts
- Action Awareness and the Fullness of Life: Embodiment & The ‘Four Worlds’ of Kabbalah
- Hegyon libi: Opening your Heart
- Coming soon: Bechol levavcha uvchol me’odecha: whole-body prayer and whole-hearted living
- Coming soon: The Nighttime Shema for insomniacs
Holiday-specific workshops:
- Embodied Teshuvah: A Course of Change for the High Holidays
- Light In the Darkness: a program for Hanukkah
- Tu BiShvat Seder embodying the ‘Four Worlds’
- Coming soon: From Slavery to Freedom — a program for Passover
Praise for Embodied Judaism programs:
“I have nothing but effusive praise for what you pulled off in two hours at the synagogue. You definitely should do more sessions like that. You really achieved (at least for me) the effects you described; I felt each level. And I took it home and to work with me; it is having a halo effect on my behavior.”
— Congregant, in response to a Four Worlds workshop“I’ve learned and have been teaching about Torah as “black fire on white fire” for many years, but this was the first time I felt I could actually see what that might mean”
— Rabbi Joshua Breindel, Congregation Beth El, Sudbury, MAin response to Light In the Darkness worksop“I felt so comfortable in your class. I’m usually very hesitant to interact and give my thoughts. You provided an open welcoming space and asked thought provoking questions. Thank you for launching me on this new path.”– Participant in Beyond Bowing: a Deep Dive into Embodied Jewish Prayer