For the Sake of the Children

Rabbi Marcia has been a good friend to me and to my family.  She helped name my daughter Devorah, helped me in home schooling her, and helped form in her a rich Jewish soul.
 

I credit Marcia's trust and belief in me with  P'nai Or's first Children's Program, the one that I organized and coordinated, with a great deal of autonomy, throughout Devorah's childhood. This work was a way for me to draw on my personal abilities giving me a path to meaningful service.  It and brought me into one on one learning in Marcia's kitchen, for the sake of the children (of course), and provided me with a relationship of ongoing learning, in which I am also a grateful conduit of learning for others.
 

Brian and I found Marcia in 1990 when we were arranging our wedding.  We studied with her weekly for a year.  In that time we both became committed to Judaism.  I will always be grateful for the gentle, subtle and successful teachings that brought us to this choice.  The choice which has blessed our home, our marriage and our child. 

Over that past twenty two years of being the recipient of her unwavering kindness and ready wisdom she, and Jack too, have become firmly entrenched in my heart.

Maxine Sperling

Standing at Her Window

One of R. Marcia's "teachings" that touched me so much as a somewhat new "Renewalnik" was when she was a speaker at Temple Emanuel in Cherry Hill for their sisterhood in the mid '90's. She was talking about standing at her window, washing her hands and the gifts she got from that simple task: the gift of water just from turning the faucet; the feel of the water flowing over her hands; the awareness of the source of that water and the effort it took to bring that water to her home! In essence, the water symbolized the gifts of many and especially a gift from Hashem!

Janet Neufeld

Images, Memories, Moments

Reb Marcia

So many images, memories, moments of being in Reb Marcia’s presence; a few “snap shots”::

Seeing her at a gathering at Reb Zalman’s Wisdom School – radiant, pregnant with Aaron, her deep eyes shining inward and outward

Feeling her warm, glowing welcome when I reached out to her in my wrestling with my Jewish/feminist practice and identity

Experiencing her heartful/artful/mindful/soulful  teachings on “Blessing” in the early days of  Elat Chayyim 

Her “shepping nachas” at our Aleph smicha – after all the work, zeal, devotion, commitment, wisdom and love she poured into us, her students, for years! 

Sensing  the love and loss she expressed – in words, photos, deeds, presence – of her dear mother z’l 

Joy in knowing her love is Unconditional and Infinite, as she says, each Shabbat, each yontif, “Dear Friends…” and with every greeting of welcome she extends, over and over again

So many more remain in my mind and heart.

Reb Marcia, you embody this:

IT IS PERFECT

YOU ARE LOVED

ALL IS CLEAR

AND I AM HOLY

Todah rabbah,

Tsurah

Radiating Leadership

My first Pnai Or service was led by Marcia and Jack.  I was astounded.  I had never seen or heard anything like it in a shul.  

 

 After the service, Janet, who had never seen me before, wrapped her arms around me, and invited me to stay for lunch.  My first Yom Kippur, and all those that have followed have felt like a spiritual bath.  Our Shabbos Torah study sessions, wide-ranging discussions among congregants who manage to get there at on or about 9:15 am (most expertly and generously led by Reb Melvin and Rabbis Arthur and Phyllis), have given me an understanding of Jewish tradition and learning that I never had before.  

 

I have been part of this welcoming community nearly seven years.  Its joyful, loving and liberal quality begins with and radiates from Rabbi Marcia's leadership.  

 

I wish her many more fulfilling years with Pnai Or.

 

Barb Bloomfield

Joy In Her Path

The stand-out sense I have had for years of Reb Marcia, and each encounter with her has only strengthened this sense, is one of great joy and deep acceptance--joy in her path, joy in her connection with God, joy in each of us who have crossed her path on our own journey, acceptance of each of us where we are on that path, and ultimately, an encompassing vision of what we can achieve on this collective journey to God.

Thank you Reb Marcia for accepting me with such deep appreciation that teaches me to believe in myself. You are the most eloquent model of opening up, in every way, to experiencing God.

Blessings always,
Judith Lyons

May You Be Fortified

I Call You a Lightbearer

I do! 

From the very first time I walked into the doors of Pnai Or, Yom Kippur 5769, I recognized you as a bearer of Light and the kind of rabbi I wanted to be someday. I am so grateful for all I've learned with you since then and for our time together. You’ve taught me the meaning of the verse  עבדו את יי בשמחה – Serve God with Joy (Psalm 100:2). Not just because I’ve seen you sing it a lot :-), moreso because I’ve seen you actually live it. 

I’ve always been touched and inspired by how much of yourself you give to others, energetically and in words and deeds. How much of yourself you share. And you do this for others, no matter what’s happening for you. 

People don’t always get that.

My wish for you, Reb Marcia, is that this anniversary honors you truly - for your dedication, your achievements and the Light of your neshama. May it help fortify and focus you in your work ahead. And for the Light you’ve shared with all of us, may you receive much Light back! Just as you have been an unfailing support for all your communities, so too may you be supported. Especially now…

רב ברכות,

Blessings and thanks,

Leslie Hilgeman

Music and Prayers Carry Us Ever Upward

My most vivid memory of Reb Marcia is the first time I came to services that she and Jack led in Princeton.  There was (and still is) something so special about the way she is able to look at each person as she leads the service.  It creates such a warm, intimate bond, as the music and prayers carry us ever upward.

Gloria Hoffman

A Judaism Rich in Connection and Holiness

Dearest Reb Marcia,

For many years I found the services in the Conservative synagogues of which I was a member with my family dry and unappealing. I felt little if any connection to G-d, and couldn’t understand how the prayers had any meaning. They were rote and boring, uninteresting and dull.  It was you who opened up my eyes and heart to the beauty of prayer.

My first experience with Jewish Renewal was a Yom Kippur service led by you at P’nai Or. I didn’t know what to expect, but was ready to experience the meaningful service a friend had promised me. And boy, was I blown away! Never had I felt the depth and beauty of the Yom Kippur prayers as I did there; never had I felt my spirit uplifted as it was there; never had I experienced the love of G-d as I did there. As I sang and prayed through my tears, I came to the realization that this was the Judaism I was looking for: a Judaism rich in connection and holiness, a Judaism that touches the neshama, deeply and completely.

Thank you, Reb Marcia, for giving me, then, and every Shabbos, the opportunity to experience what it is like to have my spirit touched by G-d.  I have found my home, and this is truly where I belong.

Much love and blessings,

Tammy Forstater

Heart Sprung Open

Dearest Reb Marcia, 

One of the most beautiful Kol Nidre services I have ever attended was many moons ago, upstairs in the Parlor room of Summit Church where P’nai Or used to meet.  With standing room only, I remember standing along the wall and you began to sing….”All I ask of you is forever to remember me, as loving you.”  

All at once my heart sprung open and tears of joy, grief, relief & love poured through me.  I have called upon that moment many times over the years with your loving face coming to mind & heart.  

Thank you!  

Thank you for your commitment, depth of presence, & the true joy with which you walk and share this Jewish Spiritual Path.  May your journey from this moment on, be a Path of Many Blessings in All Ways and for Always.

In Love, Respect & Gratitude,

Leah Weisman

Arrived at the P’nai Or Doorstep October 1992 – Simchat Torah

Smiles Light &, Love & Learning Upon Me

Rabbi Marcia

I am so Blessed to have found you and to hold you dear to me as “My Rabbi”.   I remember the time I first met you at P’nai Or Princeton Friday night Shabbat services.  Before services you walked over to me and said, “Hello, I’m Marcia” with your always welcoming smile.  I immediately felt right at home, not even realizing for a few moments,,this was You.  Even when by Friday night after a long week of work, and being tired,  I would somehow get up the energy to get to your Princeton Shabbat services, only to feel so energized and uplifted by your presence, your smile, your light, your love and your teachings. 

Your teaching is so straightforward and clear that suddenly concepts of prayers, Torah and Kabbalah that I had long been struggling with would come to me in that moment of understanding as the “light” would glow for me as the “vessels shattered” with the joy and fulfillment of learning from you.

 I remember your teachings from”The Path of Blessings” at the Nourish the Soul, Repair the World weekend in 2000,and several great weekends at Elat Chayyim.  I try to come to Philadelphia P’nai Or for Shabbos as often as I can.  The High Holidays are so much more meaningful to me when I am at your services.  Your light emanates to me and then I feel our prayers guide me to the heights to truly reach Hashem.

The most significant experience of my life was my trip to Israel with you, Jack and a wonderful group. What stands out at this moment is the place we stopped at overlooking Jerusalem to say special prayers before entering the Holy City for the first time.   My heart was bursting with Joy. All the learning and tourist traveling in Israel was so special.  The highlight was Pesach and the Seder in a glass room over looking Jerusalem.  It was my dream come true....”Next Year in Jerusalem” was happening!  You were leading the Seder and all was wonderful.  I remember the Pesach morning service Parsha and the unique way you explained the symbolism of the sacrifices so that I learned a little acceptance and the deeper meaning of them.

I admire your way with words as they flow so easily in your teachings and your ability of tactfully expressing what is proper for behavior and graciously guiding situations.  I am fortunate to have such a worldly role model as you.  Your Light, your smile, your love and your teaching will be with me always. 

Blessings,

Dianne Denenberg

         

        

Continued Health and Happiness

Dear Reb Marcia,

I am so fortunate to have you in my life as an inspirational teacher, mentor, spiritual guide
and loving presence.  Many blessings to you for continued health, happiness and
vital work in the world.

Love,

Sandra Wortzel

Rav is Ravelation

Reb Marcia / Rabbi Prager, shlitt'a, may you enjoy double-chai and more of delicious teaching and blessings.  

There are some who have said that those who cannot do, teach.

Among the lessons you have taught:

Teaching is doing.  Doing is teaching.

The essence of the reb is rebererence.   

The message of the rav is ravelation.

With deep affection and gratitude from one of your mus'machim--

Rabbi Dr. Andrew Vogel Ettin

Instilling Feelings of Comfort and Renewal of Spirit

My time with Rabbi Marcia began 15 years ago when she and Jack used to lead services at P'nai Or Princeton.  I found that she has a great talent for creating holy environment, a truly sacred space.  After I'd experienced a difficult week, during Kabbalat Shabbat I felt she figuratively took us by the hand and led us on a spiritual journey that instilled intense feelings of comfort and renewal of spirit.

Because of her talents, I was able to cherish the warmth of our candle lighting, be soothed by our singing of Shalom Aleichem, and relish the joy of being surrounded by beaming "p'nai or".   While she guided us through maariv, I would gaze up at the heavens through our skylight and be awestruck by the beautiful dance of darkness and light unfolding in the night sky.  Following her lead, I greeted the beautiful Kallah with both reverence and anticipation, and easily stored enough warmth, joy and healing to sustain that peaceful, sacred space within, through all of Shabbat and beyond.

Thank you, Rabbi Marcia, for sharing your gifts with us.

Linda Coles

Speaking with Full Force and Vitality

I first met Marcia about 18 years ago.  She was leading Simchas Torah
at Pnai Or.  She was speaking about and with deep breaths.  She spoke
about the season of the birthing of the world.  Her style of speech
and the content of her speech were the same.  She spoke with full
force and vitality, and in metaphors I hadn't heard before.


I joined Pnai Or about a year later.  I am still amazed at the
freshness and vitality and the organic wholeness with which Marcia
views the world in which she actively lives, and her strong desire to
make that world visible and imminent to all.

She has a strong sense of who is in the room at any time.  She makes
sure all are included, backing up to fill in gaps for newcomers and at
the same time not losing those of us who have davenned with her and
have watched her exist over time.

One of her goals is to bring her sense of unity-in-all to the world.
I have participated in and listened to informal, sometimes spontaneous
teachings.  I have participated in Davenning Leading workshops, where
she takes us through a portion of the service.  We hear and feel where the
selected piece fits in to the service, what comes before and what comes after.
My teaching has improved from the awareness I have gained in these workshops.

I look forward to more.

Rich Heiberger

Shaken Out of Complacency

R. Marcia has affected my life in ways I may not even be aware of. There is one specific anecdote I will share that significantly changed my life. It was during Sukkot the first year I moved here. I was struggling with a traumatizing event in my life. I was trying to find forgiveness for the person who had wronged me, and trying to find a way to move on. 

Marcia helped me to see forgiveness in a different way that really helped me. Then Marcia told me a Bal Shem Tov story that gave me both comfort, and hope for the life that lay ahead for me. The gist of the story is still very clear in my mind. Events you do not expect, could not imagine, may shake up your life and shake you out of your complacency. 

Although painful at first, these changes may lead to a better life that never would have happened.

Thank you, Reb Marcia.

Deep and Abiding Faith in All

Dear Reb Marcia,

You have been such a tremendous influence in my development as a rabbi, a person, a student, a teacher.  I often find myself thinking about you and your many gifts.  Thank you for your generosity and spaciousness.  Thank you for your honesty.  Thank you for the times when you were hard on me and made me grow.  Most of all, thank you for your deep and abiding faith in each and every one of your talmidim.  May the Great One bless you and keep you, and continue to shine through you.

R" Elisheva Brenner

Glowing with Hod

Reflections on Reb Zalman's and Reb Marcia's Talks
at the Annual OHALAH Conference in Boulder, CO,

Jan 9th, 2007

Yesterday morning-that was Tuesday, Jan. 9th, 2007-was a radiant and historic time in Boulder, CO. I felt so truly blessed to have been there as a participant and as a witness. The only metaphor that comes to my mind right now is being amongst the generation that stood at the foot of Har Sinai saying "We will do and we will hear!"

Reb Zalman spoke to us about many things having to do with ahavat klal Yisrael, the observance of Shabbat, the need for a re-enchantment of Jewish life, the importance of a personal daily prayer-practice, the longing of so many Jews for joy in their davenning...and then, after a playful rendition of the conventional musical motif that precedes a scary dramatic moment in a cop- or suspense-thriller, he took a deep breath and told us he was about to speak about a very difficult and painful topic. And that was the topic of sexual mores and inappropriate relationships amongst our leaders and teachers, and in particular, to address the topic of his own past. He said he had much teshuvah to do, that he has tried to make whatever takkanot he could, but that if there is still anyone who feels they have been hurt by past encounters, let them come to him and he will beg their forgiveness. He also spoke of how things look different to us today in a post-AIDS world than they did in the 60's, when "free love" was part of the "sexual revolution."

There is no way I can depict how moving, cleansing, releasing and redemptive this moment was for so many of us there. Many of us cried our eyes out! After he was through with his own viddui, Reb Zalman spoke of Shlomo, and of what joy Reb Shlomo had brought into the Jewish world, and that, despite his failings-which were serious-how much love and good he had done... We can do more good in the world through gratitude and appreciation for Reb Shlomo, even while taking notice of the "shadows" that we, with a raised consciousness about these matters, want to avoid on our own watch. No, we should not ignore or minimize the pain of the victims of this genius' shadow side. But we would do well to have a little more humility toward this man who loved God and klal Yisrael, and perhaps because of his uniqueness and genius, may have been frequently in pain and very lonely.

As Reb Zalman stood up to step down from the dais, I was about to stand up, as it was my natural impulse to rise before a great teacher, and a great teaching such as this. And just before I stood up, Art Waskow spoke up saying, "You know I don't usually believe in rising for teachers, but even I think we should rise in appreciation for Reb Zalman this morning!" We all rose, weeping, tissues in hand, and beaming with gratitude for our beloved Reb Zalman and his courage to say these "hard things."

And then Reb Marcia, openly weeping as she first sat down before us, spoke about joy-joy and fear and pain, and of the pain of giving birth that can only happen at all because of a deeply grounded joy that is not all pleasure or "fun" or ease of life. She was radiant, mesmerizing, even while speaking softly. (She told us to "listen harder!") Her relief at the kappara that had just been done, and the miracle of our collective feeling of redemption was spell-binding for us. We might have thought it not possible, but we shed even more tears.

Earlier, in the midst of Reb Zalman's speaking, Reb Zalman had invited Reb Marcia to tell her own story of an incident that had occurred in Yerushalayim the previous Pesach. It was a beautiful, heartbreaking story of the longing that even the most staid Orthodox Jews have for a faith that can be joyful and "fun." Somehow, in that interlacing of Reb Zalman's momentous address to us, with his invitation to Reb Marcia to tell her own story in the middle of his talk, and then with Reb Marcia's speaking of darkness and difficulty and joy and birth right after Reb Zalman, with no break in between-I sensed that our "prophet" was spreading his mantel over her, his worthy successor. Of course we are not a monarchy, and the leadership that Reb Zalman has had as the visionary for Jewish Renewal will be spread out and shared by more than one of our many gifted and brilliant teachers in this generation, as Reb Zalman, despite our protestations, withdraws to do his "December" work. But to my eyes, Reb Marcia looked like a worthy successor indeed, receiving that "double portion" that Elisha had begged from Eliyahu, glowing with the hod that Moshe Rabbenu had imparted to Yehoshua before he was called up to Har Nevo to be taken away by the kiss of God.

Reb Marcia spoke of a beautiful silver flute that she had kept on her mantelpiece for years. A flute which she could not play, but loved to pick up and hold to admire its beauty. Finally, she gave it away to a flute-player, for she knew that that instrument needed to be played.

We all long to be used: to give voice to that which perhaps only we can give voice to-to be instruments for the Ruach haKodesh. And so I give this report: I went outside and walked around Boulder, up a little residential street with a majestic view of the mountains. It was a beautiful, mild, clear day. The snow was melting, the sky so blue-and I felt joy, joy, joy! So lucky to be alive. And to be right at that particular place at that particular time-a truly magnificent moment in our spiritual history. A moment of redemption, of love, of healing, of hope. A moment of yes, some pain, but mostly of joy.

Of course I can only really speak for myself. Yet I believe that it is important, and valuable. I was a witness in Boulder, at the foot of the Rockies, sitting at the feet of these amazing g'dolim, our amazing teachers and spiritual guides, Reb Zalman and Reb Marcia. I stood at the foot of Har Sinai, full of awe and gratitude-and joy.


Shoshana Brown

You Model Menchlekeit

Dearest Reb Marcia,

holy woman, holy teacher, holy mentor,

You model menchlekeit 

and love us to God.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for being

our awesome Reb Marcia!

May you be blessed with good health,

much happiness and great nachus.

Reb Marcia, may all good things come your way!

Always,

Jonathan Stoler

Sharing the Wonder of Life

Dear Reb Marcia:

Thank you for teaching me that there is wonder in every moment of life.

Thank you for sharing the wonder of life with me.

Thank you for being my teacher and my friend.

All blessings,  

 

Jeff Levine

Delighted

Dear Reb Marcia,

 

I am so delighted you are on the earth.

I never met a rabbi I wanted to be until I met you.

 

Love and more love,

Naomi Tzril Saks

Taking the Great Spiritual Jet Liner

One of my precious Reb Marcia moments was the third week of DLTI-V after the Wednesday morning service that Kenny Joseph, Yiskah Rosenfeld and I had led. We had succeeded in having a warm, joyous and energizing shacharit service. We felt pretty good about it at least. Beautiful melodies, stirring poetry selections, segues to kvell over, eliciting heartfelt kavana. We had taken that great spiritual jet liner, with the kahal aboard, skillfully down the runway, lifting off with a great thrust of power, soaring into the heavens until it was time to gently glide back to earth--just a little bit higher than we had started the morning. 

Marcia did not disagree. She provided only the most positive feedback in the ensuing lab. In fact, I wondered why she didn't find something to critique with a bit more rigor. I suppose the one thing we might have been lacking the most, was the one thing she held up for praise. It became a lesson I hold dear. In the most diplomatic way, she asked the three of us if any of us considered singing to be a strength of ours. This might have been a rhetorical question in some situations because the answer did not really need to be voiced. We looked at each other, smiled, turned to Marcia freely admitting that none of us saw ourselves as especially gifted singers. Marcia did not single out this trait to embarrass us. No, to the contrary, she used this fact to praise us as she instructed the class, "See, for those of you who feel it is necessary to be a great musician or a great singer to succeed in leading a service, let this be an example that one can lead a beautiful, inspiring service without that skill."

I don't have great pipes, but that doesn't stop me. I never have to doubt myself, having Reb Marcia's blessing with me forever.

Thank you, Reb Marcia, for your gentle wisdom. All blessings to you.

Yesh Ballon

Unfailing Generosity

I came to know Rabbi Marcia Prager through participating in DLTI-5, starting in 2008.  Her masterful command of service leading coupled with her unfailing generosity and gentle manner helped make that experience wonderful for me!  

Since then, as a rabbinical student at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia, I have had the pleasure of joining Pnai Or and thus becoming active in her home community.  I cherish Rabbi Marcia as a teacher, a mentor, a colleague, and most important, a dear friend.

Doris Dyen  

Unlocking the Secrets of the Liturgy

Find for yourself a teacher.  This I have done.  You have been a sensitive listener and guide. You have guided me along my path, unlocking the secrets of the liturgy, teaching me to be present inside the wisdom of our prayer text. You have given to me so that I can give to others.  For this, I will be forever grateful. 

Your friend and chaver,

Sharon Pearl

Sagacious Advice

As a new person learning the rudimentary tenets
of Judaism to include Hebrew greetings, songs and rituals of song, praise and prayer
I could not help but feel the genuine care, warmth
and acceptance you meted out to me without even knowing me
I appreciate and recognize your wisdom, knowledge, understanding, patience and humility
I know you have so much to teach and share
from exoteric to esoteric information disseminated creatively, pragmatically and
shrewdly yet consistently delivered enthusiastically in your worship services
to the amazing way that you deal with people from all walks of life
I just wanted to tell you Rabbi Marcia Prager
how impressed I have been with you and your leadership skills at Pnai' Or
I look forward to our talks and fellowship and your sagacious advice
you have had a remarkable effect on my life in short period of time

D-L-T-I!

D-L-T-I (Sung to the tune of YMCA)

A team effort of Mark Novak, Elyse Seidner-Joseph, Ethan Krame, Elisheva Brenner, and Abbe Lyons

(Verse)

Talmid - there’s a place you can go I said

Talmid - it’ll cost you some dough

You will learn there, and see your story unfold

It’s got  pshat, remez, drash, and sod 

Sing a niggun, study hassidic  text

with Reb Marcia, she is the Besht of the Besht

You will davven, and it won’t be a show all your

Prayers they will be soaring

(Chorus) 

Lift up your soul at the D-L-T-I (2x)

where she and Reb Shawn lift you higher and higher

step close to the flame and jump into the fire at the

D-L-T-I, lift up your soul at the D-L-T-I 

you will laugh  you’ll cry

and take a moment to sigh

(music stops and we all sigh with arms outstretched ala Marcia, then music continues)

It’s a 4 world celebration

(Verse)

Can people hear ya? You’re talking into the floor

Give a drasha, there's no reason to bore

Leyn Torah?  You never did it before?

Face it, you need some training

Young man, holy schneider you need

I said young man, deep cleansing breaths you must breathe

you must slow down, and enunciate

and your da-ven-ing will be great 

(Chorus)

(Verse)

No one teaches prayer like you do. 

Reb Marcia when she is looking at you, 

With those big eyes, she wants to help you be you

full of joy and awe and wonder

Marcia - she's a gal on the go

Reb Marcia - knows how to make shabbos glow

with her stories,  with words she’s caressing all her

paths are paths of blessing

(Chorus)

A Foundation for Spirituality

As a student in CPE, I searched for a 'God language' that was comfortable and authentic to me. In DLTI-5, fourth week, Reb Marcia spoke about how we each have a direct connection to the flow, the energy field that is the universe. She spoke as to how everything is in everything, and everything acts on everything, and as such, the soul work that we do in ourselves impacts not just us, but the entire chain of existence.  

 

This was a profound moment for me. 

 

These words really pulled everything together for me spiritually. From a Jewish perspective, Reb Marcia noted that through certain tools and practices we are able to do it well, in a positive (vs. negative) way: mitzvoth, Torah.  She clarified that mitzvah is the spiritual imperative, because it is a point of entry into the supernal grid, a terminal to get “online”, with each one materializing at some location in the God field, each one revitalizing “a limb in the divine body,” and strengthening the flow.  Here the imperfection of the universe is apparent and our partnership in creation is clear. We need revitalization and repair as we are fragile and get out of alignment.  This ‘divine energy flow’ is often blocked. Through mitzvot, and particularly the mitzvah of Shabbat, which extends over a longer period of time, we are able to ‘tap into’ the God field, “cosmic tree of life”, allowing us to relax, recalibrate, and re-align.  The Shekhinah can be liberated from enmeshment in all of our bad karma.  Thus, the flow of shefah can become unimpeded or less impeded during Shabbos. 

 

These perspectives give me great joy and comfort and has served as the foundation for my own spirituality and ‘take’ on the Divine. Reb Marcia offered up for me a critical watershed moment. It was from this moment that my relationship with God came into greater focus and my professional tools emerged. For all of this, I have heartfelt thanks to Reb Marcia."

Richard Backer

ALEPH Rabbinical Program

You Wrote the Book!

Reb Marcia,

In the Torah portion that was read on Shabbos afternoon for your 
Chai Anniversary (Lech L'cha), it says ". . . and he [Abram] pitched 
his tent with Beit Eil on the west and Ai on the east; and he built 
there an altar to YHVH and invoked the Name YHVH." (Gen. 12:8).

Like Abram (the Great Parent), you have "pitched your tent" in the 
area that lies between the House of God (Beit Eil) and Ai (the Ruin). 
It is so clear how you are constantly "invoking the Name YHVH" as you 
occupy this sacred, welcoming space in this contentious region. And as 
was predicted for the Great Parent, you have become a blessing. 

You even wrote the book on it!

It is always a pleasure to work and schmooze with you and Reb Yaacov. 

Abundant blessings on you and all your dear ones.

Rich Simon

Experiencing Joy and Peace

Dear Marcia, 

When I think of what you mean to me, Marcia, and the impact you  have had on my life, two stories come to mind. They both have to do with my husband, Howie, who died six years ago. So in a sense,  this appreciation of you is as much on his behalf as it is from me. 

We first met you and Jack at a Havurah Institute many years ago.  It was our first Institute. On Shabbos morning we had a choice  of 4 services, and chose yours. It was the first time I remember experiencing joy in a service, and it blew me away. I remember there was a basket of rhythm instruments; I picked up one of them and joined in with  the music and celebration. It was my introduction to Jewish Renewal, and I had  never seen anything like it. 

Afterward we came up and introduced ourselves, saying we knew you  lived in Philadelphia and asking you if you lead services somewhere we  could go. You told us about P’nai Or; all it took was one visit there  for us to be hooked. When we joined you for the High Holidays, remember Howie saying that this was the first time in his life that  he had ever looked forward to Yom Kippur.

The second story is a more somber one, from the end of Howie’s life. He chose you to lead his memorial service. He had very few requests  for the content of the service, but was clear about who was to lead it.  During the time when he and I both knew he was  dying, I asked him from time to time who he wanted to see. If someone called or sent an e-mail message, I would convey their greetings to Howie and ask him if he wanted to see or talk to them. I also tried to think of all the people who I knew were important in Howie’s life and ask him if he wanted to see or talk to them. In some cases he did,  and some he didn’t. There was  only one person whom he specifically requested  to see without any  prompting from me, and that was you. I remember your visit to himvividly, and think it helped him find peace. 

The memorial service you and Jack later led was amazing. One  friend (Gentile) said she could listen to you for hours. Another friend  (also Gentile) told me later that she had intended to leave right after the service because she had a lot of work to do, but there was so much  love and warmth in that room that she just wanted to stay and stay.

  

I am profoundly grateful that you are in my life.

Much love,

Sheela

The Quesadilla Lesson

Dear Reb Marcia,

You are an amazing rabbi and teacher.  I'm especially grateful to you (and to Jack) for working with Lucas during his Bar Mitzvah year. He studied weekly with you from the end of the holidays in the fall until the June date of his Bar Mitzvah.  You brought Jewish history and thinking to him straight from your heart in a very creative and personalized way.  He never complained about coming for a lesson.  

He did have one melt-down sometime during the middle of the year.  Maybe he began to realize what he was getting into or maybe he was just tired. While you were teaching he just stopped short and said "I'm hungry." You suggested that I get him some pizza from down the street.  He refused that and any further suggestions until you said, "Would you like me to make you a cheese quesadilla? 

You prepared it for him, and the lesson continued. 

In that moment I learned about your very special ability.

         

You know exactly how to take people from where they are to a higher spiritual place.  The day of his Bar Mitzvah, he felt that inner convidence and God spark.  Thank you again for opening that channel for him, for me and for all those you teach.

Blessing for Chai and many more,

Gayle

       

Malchut Unraveled

Dream Time

One lovely Seudah Shelishit, the last meal before the end of Shabbas, R. Marcia was teaching about  the power of Shabbas.  In that dreamy time of day it was easy to become captivated by the loving attention to imagery and divine creative forces that R. Marcia unearths every time she teaches. I was inspired on the spot to write a poem called Psalm for Wednesday. Shir Hadash

Psalm for Wednesday: Shir Hadash ( A new song)

The Whole world waits to sing a song of Shabbas

Let me introduce myself:
I am Wednesday

I am waiting for you Messiach
Listen to my plea
I, like my 5 brothers and sisters,
worked by the multitudes
yearn for you to grant us the same precious exaltation

I am waiting for you Messiach
On the day you arrive,
will the locks of the supurnal palace
be forever broken
opening wide the doors
for all time

On the day you arrive,
will  my name be part of the
Name of the Holy One
One side of the prism
of perfection

On the day you arrive,
will we all be equal
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
along with our beloved Shabbas

We, the days of the cycle of nourishment
We, the creatures who inhabit your days
We, the molecules that form, transform
in witness of your
perfect unity

We are waiting for you Messiach
for the promise you have come to fulfill:
"It is a sign between me and you
Forever".

Haiku

Teacher    Blessing    Peace
Mesmerizing Voice  Tzaddik

Artist  Enlightened