Juliet the Rabbi & Mashpi’ah
My Journey
I grew up in New York City in a family where Yiddishkeit (Eastern European Jewish culture) was appreciated as my family’s roots, but religion and spirituality, rejected. In short, I claimed atheism as my identity. Passion for social justice trumped all. Though I always yearned for the mystery of it, Judaism, I was told, was at odds with these values, so I put it aside.
Thus I chose a “practical” profession that could help others; I became a teacher of Spanish and English as a Second Language. I did this mostly in underprivileged communities of New York City public schools and community college. My work included young adults who had traumatic experiences crossing the U.S. border on foot. This caused me to reach a whole new level of empathy.
As I was beginning this teaching career, I met my husband, a South American immigrant who was raised Catholic and came to the U.S. in his early teens. When we talked about having children, I told him I wanted to raise them Jewishly. He immediately agreed (“You’re the mother”). His heritage was important to us as well, so we had to figure out how to transmit both. We’ve been married for over 35 years. Together, we raised two beautiful children, giving them a Jewish identity with an appreciation for and pride in their Latino roots.
Still, it took many years before I came to understand that “spirituality,” a word I could barely define, was something I needed in my life.
It took many more years before I realized that Judaism could bring satisfaction on that spiritual path.
After many years of searching, in one day that trajectory of my life changed dramatically.
I had bumped into the Jewish Renewal movement, where I was exposed to Hebrew chant, mysticism, meditation, niggun (wordless melodies), and contemplative practices.
I was surprised to learn that these practices were historically a part of Judaism. I fell in love with being Jewish in a whole new way.
Perhaps best of all, when I read Rabbi Michael Lerner’s Jewish Renewal, I learned that my passion for social justice was not at odds with Judaism, but actually completely in sync with it.
And suddenly it was as if my whole life as I had lived it up until that point had been preparing me for this new journey.
Upon entering rabbinical school, I immediately sought out the training I needed in order to lead, inspire, and accompany others as I had been via Hashpa’ah, or Spiritual Direction, and Hebrew Chant.
Coming to Judaism as an atheist, I have had the challenge of finding my own understanding of the Divine.
I am so grateful for what Judaism and Jewish Renewal has given me. I can’t wait to share it all with you.
I live in New York City and am available for life cycle events in the tristate area, and Haspha’ah (Spiritual Direction) on Zoom or in person. Click here to link to my website and learn more about Hashpa’ah, about me, and my work. Link here to my Facebook account.
Education, Training, and Professional Service
Ordained Rabbi, Aleph Ordination Program, the Seminary for Jewish Renewal Clergy, 2023
Ordained Mashpi’ah/Jewish Spiritual Companion, Aleph Ordination Program, 2020 (Link here for SDI profile & Explanation of Spiritual Companionship/Hashpa’ah)
Jewish Chant Leader, 2018, trained by Rabbi Shefa Gold, leader and composer of Hebrew chant
Bilingual/ESL Teacher Leadership Training, Bank Street College, 2008
M.A. TESOL, Hunter College, 1987
B.A. Spanish, SUNY Stony Brook, 1984