May 2024 / Iyyar 5784
Welcome back to my newsletter.
In the midst of this incredibly heavy year, I hope your Omer season, if you observe, has been what you need in this time.
This month, I am delighted to share a variety of teachings and some announcements.
Kirva: Disability Wisdom As Soul Care
Kirva: Disability Wisdom As Soul Care launched two weeks ago. It has been an immense privilege to do this work in partnership with my teacher, colleague and friend, Rabbi David Jaffe, and the amazing team at Kirva. We have 27 participants in two vaads—Mussar practice groups. Though we don’t yet know when applications will open for our next round, we hope to run the program again after the fall holidays. You will receive further information as it becomes available through this newsletter. You are also welcome to join the Kirva email list to receive additional information as well as teachings from Rabbi David and others.
Exciting Changes to Patreon
I am incredibly grateful and blessed to have a dedicated membership community on Patreon whose support sustains this work and means so much. Those who join the community will have access to members-only teachings and opportunities to gather on Zoom. This monthly newsletter will remain free and will focus on my publicly available teachings. If you wish to become a member of my Patreon community, please follow the link above. Thank you for your support.
Join Me in Practice
I continue to regularly hold sits for several Jewish meditation communities.
I will be holding the Or haLev Ground and Center sit on Tuesday, June 11 and Tuesday, June 25, from 1:15-1:45PM EDT. These sits happen Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at this time on Zoom. Please visit their website to subscribe to receive daily reminders of upcoming sits.
I am also a teacher for the NeySHEV community lead by my dear friend and colleague, Aviva Chernick. I will next lead their Monday night sit on June 24, 2024 from 8:00-8:30PM EDT, also on Zoom. Please visit their website to subscribe to their weekly newsletter in which they share their Zoom link.
This Month’s Teachings
Please enjoy a variety of teachings I offered this month.
On May 3, 2024, I taught My Jewish Learning’s Weekly Torah Study for parashat Acharei Mot. A recording of that class can be found here.
For Parashat Kedoshim, I am making publicly available a short teaching from my Patreon community. If you wish to receive more content like this, you are warmly encouraged to join us.
I was honored to join the Institute for Jewish Spirituality for their daily sit on May 14, 2024. You can find a recording of this practice here.
And, finally, I am honored to share this piece, just published as part of SVARA’s Hot Off The Shtender blog entitled Moving Through This Crash. I pray this Torah is a balm for our tired and weary souls.
I pray the remaining days of the Omer season are easeful and growthful and that you are able to receive revelation this Shavuot, if you observe, with an open heart.
Wishing you a beautiful month ahead.
With blessings,
Rabbi Tuchman
Want to know more about Rabbi Tuchman? Visit her website.