In 2003, Rabbi Benay Lappe planted the first seeds of SVARA: A Traditionally Radical Yeshiva.

We invite you to join us on June 8th as we gather in joyful celebration to reflect on the past 20 years of revolutionary Talmud and community building, and raise funds to support the next 20 years of radical reimagining!

We are thrilled to announce our first cohort of Shaping Tradition Honorees, including Rabbi Elliot Kukla, Rabbi Deborah Newbrun, and Dr. Koach Baruch Frazier!

Rabbi Elliot Kukla (he/they) is a rabbi, author, artist, and activist. Elliot has been tending to grief, dying, and becoming (more) ill or disabled since 2007, and has been engaged in justice work since 1996. In 2006, Elliot was the first openly trans person to be ordained by a major Jewish denomination (Hebrew Union College). The following year, they co-founded transtorah.org, which "helps people of all genders to fully access and transform Jewish tradition."

Rabbi Deborah Newbrun (she/her) creates transformational spaces for Jewish communities rooted in the wisdom of our tradition. As the first openly lesbian Jewish summer camp director, she led Camp Tawonga for 25 years. A catalyzing force in the Jewish Outdoor Food and Environmental Education (JOFEE) movement, Deborah co-authored Spirit In Nature: Teaching Judaism and Ecology on the Trail, founded Get Set Go Community Adventures, and received the prestigious Covenant Award in 2018 for innovative Jewish education.

Dr. Koach Baruch Frazier (he/they) is many things: an audiologist, a musician, a dismantler of racism, a sonic and spiritual healer, a rabbinical student at Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, and more. Koach brings to SVARA a deep love for tradition and his people, and their learning is guided by a vision of our collective freedom. Koach is a co-founder of Tzedek Lab, and he was honored as an LGBTQ Jewish Hero by Keshet in 2020.

ASL and closed-captioning will be provided. Please reach out to Olivia@svara.org if you have any questions or would like to discuss any additional support we can provide to improve your Shaping Tradition experience.

Host Committee

Shaping Tradition's Host Committee is an awesome team of folks who are helping to spread the word (and the love!) in anticipation of our spectacular celebration this summer.

Host Committee Members (as of 5/23/23)

Adam and Celia Strauss
Rabbi Adina Allen and Jeff Kasowitz
Al Rosenberg and Mollie Anderson
Angel Alvarez-Mapp and Danielle Natelson
Ayana Morse
Rabbi Becky Silverstein and Naomi Sobel
Rabbi Betsy Forester, Beth Israel Ctr, Madison WI
Dr. Bianca Gonzalez-Lesser and Dr. Emma Gonzalez-Lesser
Cheryl Lester

Chicago Jewish Funerals
Dan Libenson and Beth Niestat
Danny and Wendy Kahn
Debbi Schnitzer Cooper
Rabbi Deborah Newbrun and Rabbi Sue Reinhold

Elaina Marshalek and Rabbi Frankie Sandmel

Eleyna Fugman, TischPDX
Rabbi Elliot Kukla and Abby Weintraub

Elizabeth Feldman
Rabbi Eric Weiss and Dan Alpert

Idit Klein and Jordan Namerow

Jaci and Craig Krandel
Joan E. Neal and David Weisbach
Joanna Ware
Rabbi Josh Whinston and Sarah Raful Whinston
Leykn Schmatz and Maryasha Katz
LilyFish Gomberg
Ma’ayan and Rabbi Ezra Seligsohn
Marques Hollie
Megan and Paige Goldmarche
Rabbi Melanie and Hope Levav
Dr. Mike Steklof
Sam Grosby and Darla Kashian
Sandy Sussman and Ron Schnur
Sharon and Shimon Cohen Anisfeld
Shelly F. Cohen and Julie Shapiro
Rabbi Zack Wiener

Interested in joining the Host Committee?

Reach out to Elli Krandel, Development Director, at 815-353-1220 or ellik@svara.org

20th Anniversary Planning Committee
We feel SO MUCH gratitude and love for SVARA's amazing 20th Anniversary Planning Committee for their brilliant guidance and support in putting together this exciting event:

Rabbi Bryan Mann

Leykn Schmatz

Maggie Kraus

Natalie Boskin

Robin Banerji

Sandy Sussman

Shelly F. Cohen