As dinner winds down, it’s time to give appreciation for the meal and the abundance of nature.  We give thanks for the earth and its sustenance, For this food and drink, and this Shabbat rest, May we one day see a coming of time when all is Shabbat.

While you enjoy your Shabbat meal, here are some questions to prompt reflection and discussion at your table.  What are some different approaches to rest and play we can try and indulge in this Shabbat? Bonus points for going beyond Netflix on the couch!  We might think of our queer communities as sacred spaces. What makes them sacred?  What feels alive for you this Shabbat? What possibilities for connection and creativity are unfolding for you and/or your community?  How can we...

Once everyone has assembled back at the table, it’s time to bless the challah. First, take a moment to close your eyes. Feel the line of your body against the chair and your feet on the floor. See if you can sense the earth beneath the floor beneath your feet, and remember that we are a part of nature. Spend a moment or two feeling the support of the earth beneath you, and then open your eyes.  בְּרוּךֶ אָתֶה ײַ, אֱלֹהִימוֹתֵינוּ...

Before we eat, we wash our hands. It is customary to sing a nigun, or wordless melody, in place of speech while you are waiting for everyone to finish washing. Pour water three times onto each hand, and recite the blessing. Is there anything from this week that you’d like to wash away in preparation for the Shabbat meal?  בְּרוּךֶ אָתֶה ײַ, אֱלֹהִימוֹתֵינוּ מַלְכֶּת הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשֶׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתֶיהֶ וְצִוֶנוּ עַל נְטִילַת יָדַיִם Bruche ateh Adonai Elohimoteinu Malket ha’Olam asher kidshenu b’mitzvoteihe,...

Having blessed each other or ourselves, we now bless the wine or grape juice, pausing to recognize the holiness of this moment and the beauty of sanctification. Feel free to whisper into the cup something that you’re yearning for before you say the blessing and take the first sip.    בְּרוּךֶ אָתֶה ײַ,  אֱלֹהִימוֹתֵינוּ מַלְכֶּת הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרָאת פְּרִי הַגָּֽפֶן Bruche ateh Adonai Elohimoteinu Malket ha’Olam, borat p’ri hagafen.

Our communities include people who are not in long-term partnered relationships, whether by choice or circumstance. If this is you, take a moment to celebrate yourself this Shabbat with this blessing for the solo person.  This Shabbat, amidst the growing twilight,  I affirm myself in my full dignity,  In my truth,  And in my lived experience   I celebrate my resilience And my wholeness,  My fortitude and my strength   And I name and bless myself  As a sovereign being Under a canopy...

As the traditional Shabbat children’s blessings are gendered, here is an alternative blessing to use with children of any gender.  We give thanks for the blessing that is you,  Your being,  Your becoming   Every day we witness your growth, Your curiosity,  Your persistence   And we give thanks For every new lesson  As you become,  More and more each day,  The person you are meant to be.

It is traditional for husbands to bless their wives after candle lighting, but this tradition doesn’t often resonate for queer couples, let alone straight couples who don’t necessarily fit standard gender roles.  The following blessing can be used by couples of any gender, regardless of their marital status.  Partner 1: As day turns to night,  And afternoon light fades into inky black,  May we recognize the love bringing us together Like the twin flames of the Shabbat candles, Soft and luminous   ...

Take a moment to think about what you most want to receive this Shabbat, and then consider that which you would most like to let go of. Inhale, inviting that which you want to receive, and exhale, releasing that which no longer serves.  Light a pair of candles, then draw the light towards you with your hands by circling the flames three times. Recite the blessing while covering your eyes, and then take in the beauty of the Shabbat lights.  בְּרוּךֶ...

These Shabbat dinner rituals, cultivated by our ancestors, invite you to go deeper and connect with Divinity, queer community, and your highest Shabbat intentions. Just as the Shabbat evening service brings together multiple aspects of Divinity, you are here invited to gather in community, with chosen family, beloveds, or even with different aspects of your own self.  On Shabbat, we let go of whatever has occurred in the past week, and open to all the possibilities of rest. It is said...

Enjoy these Purim cocktails created by Deborah Missel in honor of our favorite characters from The Megillah!  The Queen Vashti In a champagne flute combine: 1 TBSP plum jam A pinch of edible gold glitter 1 shot plum brandy Top off with prosecco  The Queen Esther In a cocktail shaker mix:  Ice 1 spring of mint 1 spring of lemon verbena 2 squeeze of lemon juice to taste 2 shots of gin 1 shot apricot brandy 1/4 cup apricot nectar Shake...

Moon of Dreaming (November/December)  As the nights grow longer, we read many Torah portions about dreams and dreaming. In these long nights, take the time to dream and re-ignite your creativity. Our spiritual focus is on our personal connection to Divine through creative expression. As the weather changes and the days grow shorter, we seek inspiration in  Yirah  (יראה), or the idea of Radical Amazement/Fear/Awe/Reverence. Kohenet Ketzirah  HaMa’agelet  (the Circle Maker) is a maker and teacher of the sacred arts. She...

The seven-year cycle of Shmita is a family-friendly opportunity to create a physical or virtual time capsule. There are lots of ways to create a time capsule, here are some ideas.  Find an object that represents something important to you from the past year. Or something you wish to release. Add in photos of your family or create a dedicated folder on your computer for a few images that capture this moment in time.  Have each family member write a letter...

One way to practice release during the Shmita year is to explore where we hold tension in our bodies. This calming embodied meditation can be done nearly anywhere and anytime you need to rest.  Close your eyes and breathe deeply. As you inhale, make a tight fist in your right hand and flex all the muscles in your right arm. As you exhale, release your fist and let all those muscles relax.  On your next inhale, make a fist with your...

Though we might not all be farmers or gardners, we are all connected to farmers who produce and grow our food. Bring more intentionality to what you eat in this Shmita year by buying more locally-grown foods and getting to know the farmers in your community.   Each new season of the Shmita year, take a moment to eat a special food. As you eat, give gratitude to the many hands involved in bringing that food to your table. You may also...

The root of the word shmita means to drop or let go. Besides letting the land go fallow, our tradition has also connected the Shmita year with debt forgiveness, especially for itinerant farmers. Every seven years, all debts are forgiven and obligations released, giving everyone a second chance.  As many people grapple with medical debt, student loans and rental or mortgage debt, we can learn a lot from this tradition.  Besides examining our financial debts and the money owed to us,...