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!



Possibilities Open Up


A truly outstanding moment of my life was pulled forth from me by Reb Marcia. It was DLTI Thursday morning practice  - prayer service leading.  I was my usual diffident, not very visible self, leading the prayer Yistabach. Reb Marcia stopped me, coached me.

"Imagine", she said, "that you are out to dinner with your love.  It's a beautiful night, dinner is exquisite, the wine is lovely, suddenly comes, 'Will you marry me?'  Say Yistabach from there", Reb Marcia said.

I led the prayer "Yishtabach" from every cell of my body.   

From this experience I saw possibilities open for me of living my life, and my prayer leading life, from a deeply felt, deeply connected place in myself - at least sometimes.  I think that's what J.D. Salinger meant when he said, "all of your stars are out". 

Reb Marcia's kind, deeply felt wisdom has guided me many times during my time in the Aleph Rabbinic and Rabbinic Pastor program.   I send her my deepest respect and gratitude and joyous best wishes.

Judith Goleman

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