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BITTER WATERS: radical healing & liberatory legacies of Miriam the Prophetess

April 10, 2022 @ 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm EDT

$18 – $108
painting in earth tones of 6 golden brown people in tunics and headdresses holding vessels and drums on the banks of a river with 1 naked person immersed in the water holding a baby 

 

Every year for Passover, we retell the story of the journey from the narrows to the expanse, from enslavement to freedom, and find new meaning and inspiration for our own lives. Some of us (thanks to Jewish lesbian feminists in the 1970s) might lift a cup to Miriam, who danced, drummed and sang us to the other side of the sea, but why stop there? Miriam’s bitter and healing waters run deep – her legacy can be a source of inspiration for revealing the “undertold stories” and centering the wisdom of the body that guides us towards joyful resistance, liberation and healing. In the Torah, Miriam is called haNeviah: the prophetess; she is both lifted up as a community ritual leader and healer, and also punished for her power.

It is said that every Saturday night the water from Miriam’s well flows through all the waterways in the world, bringing healing. Join us as we dive into the depths of Miriam’s well and in the grand tradition of radical queer and feminist midrashic play, splash around in text, tales, rituals and our own collective wisdom. We will immerse in the sea of possibilities of Miriam as Prophetess, Miriam as Joyous Embodied Liberation Worker, and Miriam as Sick and Bitter Elder Femme of Color Healer. We will learn about her associations with drum, dance, hand, circle, water, keys, and plants. Joined by a few special guests, we will dip into diasporic Jewish folk healing traditions that invoke Miriam, be guided in delightful and deep practices and ritual, and explore how we might draw from her waters for liberation and healing.

Image: fresco from Dura Europos Synagogue, Syria, around 12th century 
image description: painting in earth tones of 6 golden brown people in tunics and headdresses holding vessels and drums on the banks of a river with 1 naked person immersed in the water holding a baby 

Cost

Workshop is $36-$54
Low income tickets available for $18
If you have access to more resources please pay a higher rate of: $72-$108

*for more about how to determine what to pay on sliding scale see about my rates

A portion of proceeds will be split between Alliance for Water Justice in Palestine and a mutual aid fund to support Jade’s kidney transplant 

Access Info

Everyone welcome*! No knowledge of Judaism, Hebrew, or Miriam necessary!
Live captioning & ASL available (please share access needs in registration form)
*Class space is dedicated to liberatory learning and counter-oppressive magic.

  • Live captioning & ASL available
  • There will be no flashing lights.
  • There will be music, optional movement and ritual practices, sumptuous slides, and a handout with text and resources.
  • All text will be transliterated/translated into English.
  • There will be a 5 minute break in the middle of the class.
  • Event will be recorded, recording will be sent out within the week and available for 60 days. 

Questions?

Email loveandquestionsfordori@gmail.com

Registration

Sorry, registration is closed.

Details

Date:
April 10, 2022
Time:
5:00 pm - 7:30 pm EDT
Cost:
$18 – $108