Shaping Tradition is SVARA's annual fundraiser and community celebration - a moment to pause, reflect, and recommit to the liberated Jewish future we are building together.

Each year, we gather to celebrate our learning and honor the leaders who are working diligently and creatively towards a just and healed world.

Shaping Tradition 2026 Honorees

Rabbi Lisa Edwards, Ph.D. (she/her) is a Jewish lesbian activist via pulpit, page, online, classroom, streets. From 1994 until 2019, Lisa served as Rabbi (now Rabbi Emerita) of Beth Chayim Chadashim (BCC), "House of New Life," the world's original queer synagogue (founded 1972 in Los Angeles), an LGBTQIS inclusive, progressive, diverse community. With five degrees (including ordination), and having attended five institutions of higher learning, Lisa is no longer enrolled anywhere, but she's still learning. Her wife, activist and archivist Lezbtzn Tracy Moore, and Lisa have been together since 1985. They are both widely published on queer and Jewish topics.

Shira Kline (she/her) is an internationally acclaimed performance and ritual artist, recognized as a revolutionary educator and named one of the new re-engineers of Jewish life today. Known on the kiddie-rock stage as ShirLaLa and in the sanctuary as a spiritual adventurist, she practices in the field of sacred play where she weaves radical imagination, expansive heart and collective soul. With her unique combination of spiritual leadership, immersive artistry and education, she has toured extensively for almost three decades. In 2024, she received the Covenant Foundation Award for her profound impact on the field of Jewish Education. Her award winning music has been featured on NPR, XM Radio, JKids Radio, Disney and Hulu. Visit her in her primary playground, artist driven, experimental and God-optional Lab/Shul NYC, where she is a Co-Founder and serves as Spiritual Leader.

Shaping Tradition Host Committee

The success of Shaping Tradition depends on the work of our incredible Host Committee. These folks are passionate about supporting SVARA and the learners who propel our yeshiva forward.

2026 Shaping Tradition Host Committee

Adam Strauss

Aliza Kline and Rabbi Bradley Solmsen

Rabbi Benay Lappe

Brett Trueman, Past President (Congregation Beth Chayim Chadashim)

Carol Alpern

Dan Libenson

Rabbi David L. Kline and Barbara Kline

Rabbi Dev Noily and Sara Felder

Rabbi Ellen Lippmann, Rabbi Emerita (Kolot Chayeinu/Voices of Our Lives, Brooklyn, NY)

Irene Sandalow

Jenna Pollock

Joanna Ware

Dr. Les Zendle and Jerry Hanson

LilyFish Gomberg

Liz Alpern

Rabbi Laurence Edwards

Mati Boulakia-Bortnick

Mitch Ross

Nancy Polikoff

Sam Cone

Sam Grosby

Sandy Sussman and Ron Schnur

Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum

Ray Eelsing

Shelly F. Cohen

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.