April 2024/Nissan 5784 Newsletter
Friends,
Welcome back to my newsletter, in which I share upcoming and current offerings.
I want to begin by first wishing all who celebrate a very happy Passover. This month’s newsletter is full of Passover teachings. Though some apply to the Seder directly, they are applicable throughout the entirety of the holiday.
Passover is my favorite holiday. Moving from narrowness to expansiveness, reflecting upon the enduring themes of the Jewish people’s liberation story and removing the chametz—leavening from our homes and hearts—is a reminder of the enduring importance of pursuing freedom for ourselves and each other.
I have published a few Passover teachings this season.
First, as part of Exploring Judaism’s Not A Haggadah, I have two pieces. One is a Torah reading explainer (for the Diaspora eight-day observance of Passover) and the second is on the Seder as a living experience. Both can be accessed in their Passover reader for 5784.
My Jewish Learning recently published a compilation of the short essays written on Tractate Pesachim in the Babylonian Talmud in honor of Passover 5784. As part of their book launch, a few of us who contributed essays participated in a panel called What Does The Talmud Say About the Seder? This panel took place on April 15, 2024. I am the third and final presenter.
On April 19, I published a piece entitled Enough Space, Enough Room, in which I invite us to think about the evolution of our stories—the stories we tell about ourselves and the stories we’re told about ourselves. Passover is so foundationally about story. Knowing that Passover 2024 would be different for so many folks and that we are carrying often unbearable pain, I wanted to remind ourselves that we, too, have a place and that there is enough room, enough space and enough joy for us here. This teaching arose both from the beautiful teachings I received while recently sitting a silent meditation retreat as part of the Tiferet year of a Jewish meditation teacher training program I am participating in as well as more directly from a beautiful song written by one of the faculty of that program, Rabba Dorothy Richman. Here’s a link to her beautifully poignant song, Enough Room.
Continuing with the theme of tenderness and holding one another with care, just before the holiday, I wrote a short teaching for my Patreon membership community on approaching the Seder with open-heartedness and a willingness to listen.
Reflecting upon this year’s Sederim, this feels like a more alive teaching for me now, something I commit myself to moving with always.
Other offerings:
On March 29, I was a guest on the Judaism Unbound podcast hosted by Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg. You can access my episode here.
Earlier this month, I had the honor of working with the Germantown Jewish Center to create a truly powerful and moving virtual experience. I am grateful to all those communities who have invited me in to learn, to grow and to teach.
If you are interested in bringing me to your community, please reach out through my website. I offer in person Shabbatonim and virtual and in person workshops during the week. I am available throughout the year.
Announcing a new program: Disability Wisdom as Soul Care
I am positively delighted to announce that I am launching a program with Kirva, formerly the IOWA Project called Disability Wisdom As Soul Care (DWASC). This program will weave together rich Mussar practice and teachings with disability wisdom in a group or vaad-based format, as Mussar practice is classically done. The program begins the week of May 15, 2024 and is entirely online. More information and an interest form can be found here. Kirva Disability Wisdom As Soul Care Application Form. Applications will be accepted until May 8, 2024. We are offering two parallel vaads—one for folks with disabilities and one open to all. There is space remaining in the vaad open to all. The vaad for folks with disabilities is almost at capacity.
In addition to my deep and ongoing Mussar practice, I continue to practice and teach meditation in multiple communities. I next lead the Monday evening sit for the NeySHEV community on May 6 from 8:00-8:30PM EDT. You are welcome to join them on Monday evenings and Friday mornings (EDT). Please visit their website to subscribe to their newsletter and receive the Zoom link.
I am also a frequent teacher for the Or haLev Ground and Center sit that happens Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:15-1:45PM EDT. I lead next on May 16 and again on May 28. Please visit their website to subscribe to receive daily reminders of upcoming sits.
Looking for more content from me? You can join my Patreon community to receive more writings, articles, and updates about my work and life. Please consider joining today.
Please share this newsletter with others and invite them to subscribe.
Be well and thanks for reading, as always. I hope you have a happy Passover and a lovely spring and omer season.
Rabbi Tuchman
Want to know more about Rabbi Tuchman? Visit her website.