The World Celebrates Rabbi Marcia Prager

Rabbi Marcia Prager, an inspirational Jewish Renewal spiritual leader, teacher, guide, and colleague, has become a model for a new generation of lay and professional leadership. Through her, many of us have forged an intimate, passionate relationship with Judaism, with the divine in all of us, and thus, with each other.

The P'nai Or Philadelphia Jewish Renewal community is grateful that in 5772 (2011) R. Marcia celebrated 18 years of serving as our Rabbi-Chaver. In her honor, friends from around the world shared these many stories, poems, and loving tributes, to show our gratitude and naches at this wonderful milestone!



Reconnecting My Spiritual Life as a Jewish Woman

The first time I attended a Pnai Or service led by Reb Marcia, I cried tears of joy and relief. I had never known I could feel connected to a Jewish spiritual practice before that moment. It was obvious that Reb Marcia took great delight in the ritual she was leading and participating in, and that she was leading us from a place of deep awareness of each person in the room. Her openness as a leader allowed me to open in a way I never had before in a Jewish space.

Four years later, Reb Marcia married Ken and I, in a ceremony that was fully Jewish and fully us. We asked Reb Marcia to marry us because of her commitment to making Jewish practice meaningful, open, and accessible to all.  Her words and guidance during that process allowed me to feel part of a larger tradition, and part of the whole world, as I renewed myself in commitment to my partner.

Knowing Reb Marcia has been an integral part of reconnecting my spiritual life with my identity as a Jewish woman, and for this I will be forever grateful.
- Zoe Cohen.

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