Shaping Tradition is SVARA's annual celebration and fundraiser! Whether you've been learning with us for years or this is your first SVARA gathering, we hope you'll join us for an opportunity to clap up our beautiful community and honor amazing folks supporting our work towards a just and liberatory future.

We are delighted to celebrate the life-giving, world-building work of this year's honorees: Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum and the Teshuva-Writing Collective!

Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum (she/her) has dedicated her life to promoting social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and progressive values within Judaism. Rabbi Kleinbaum served for 32 years as Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in New York City, the largest LGBTQ+ synagogue in the world - for people of all sexual identities and genders - where she is now Senior Rabbi Emerita. She played a pivotal role in creating an inclusive space where LGBTQ+ Jews could express their faith without fear of discrimination.

The Trans Halakha Project's Teshuva-Writing Collective (TWC) is a cohort of 20 trans writers and researchers who use the language of halakha - Jewish practice and its surrounding discourse - to respond to questions about Jewish life and practice that emerge directly from trans people. Guided by the co-directors of the project, their fellow authors, and their own lived experience, the TWC has published a rich body of teshuvot (halakhic essays) which place trans Jews as both the authors and subjects of discussion of Jewish law and empowers them to act in accordance with their inherent dignity.

Looking for an opportunity to share a special note with our honorees? Participate in our Shaping Tradition Community Clap-Ups!

Our fabulous musical guest for the evening is Yoni Battat.

Yoni Avi Battat brings Arab music into the soundscape of American Jewish life through composition, education, prayer, and performance on viola, violin, oud, and vocals. We're grateful to be bringing Yoni to Shaping Tradition in partnership with our amazing friends at Let My People Sing!, a cultural project expanding the ancient and transformative practice of Jewish communal singing.

Shaping Tradition Host Committee

Shaping Tradition's Host Committee is an awesome team of dedicated folks who are helping to spread the word (and the love!) in anticipation of our spectacular celebration this summer. We are so grateful for their partnership to help make this program happen!

2025 Host Committee Members

Ayana Morse

Becky Silverstein and Naomi Sobel

Dan Libenson and Beth Niestat

Rabbi Guy Austrian and Rabbi Jill Jacobs

Jaci and Craig Krandel

Jenna Pollock

Joanna Ware

Julie F. Simpson

Leykn Schmatz and Maryasha Katz

LilyFish Gomberg

Sandy Sussman and Ron Schnur

Marques Hollie

Mati and Anne Boulakia-Bortnick

Sam Grosby and Darla Kashian

Shelly F. Cohen

Shira Kline

Interested in joining the Host Committee?

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

Please note that when making a donation via credit card, you are not required to enter your name as listed on your credit card when entering your donation information. At SVARA, we always want to honor your name and identity as they feel best for you.