What does it mean to write Jewishly? How can writing enrich our experience of being Jewish people, particularly at a time of unprecedented isolation and, also, of virtual connection?

Grounded in Reconstructionist principles and drawing on contemporary writing and rhetorical theory, this course is a guided exploration of being Jewish in and through writing in an intimate, communal setting.  We will consider who we are now as Jews (or as the partners and allies of Jewish spouses, parents, friends, communities, etc.) and how writing can both draw on and deepen that identity.

Our four virtual meetings will include conversation and small writing experiments. Each week, between classes, we will try to write something new. Though we will take time to celebrate some of the material we compose, it is the experience of Jewish writing and its potential to enrich our own and others’ lives that defines this program.

Depending  on the interests of our group, our experiments may range from: 

• Jewish journaling to the Jewish narrative;
• prayer-writing to writing as a Jew for non-Jewish audiences;
• technologically-assisted writing-in-transliteration to Reconstructionist Midrash or modern Aggadah work;
• Siddur writing to letter-campaigning;
• Divrei Torah to Jewish (auto)biographies.

Whatever your background and whether hobbyist poet, avid letter-writer, professional journalist, soulful liturgical writer, or even occasional diarist or epiphany-scribbler – you are welcome!

Registration below, is requested. Zoom access address will be provided.

B’nai Havurah member, Daniel Singer, M.Ed., Ph.D., is a teaching assistant professor in the University Writing Program at the University of Denver, where he teaches and researches writing-to-do-good, rhetorics of advocacy and volunteerism, and community-engaged writing. He directs the Clinic for Writing and the Public Good, serves on the advisory board of the National Coalition on Community Writing, and has taught and consulted with a range of communities and organizations across Colorado and internationally. Originally from a Reform congregation in northern New England, Dan has been a member of B’nai Havurah since 2018 and lives in Aurora, Colorado, with his wife and two young children.

If you have any questions about this course, please feel free to contact Daniel at dsinger85@gmail.com.

Zoom Information:

https://udenver.zoom.us/j/95135900202

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Or Telephone:
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    Meeting ID: 951 3590 0202
    International numbers available: https://udenver.zoom.us/u/aex2SUZJ7r