Jews of Color

As Jews in diaspora, we can struggle to find a connection to our homeland. But just like a tortoise in the desert, we take our home with us.

INSPIRATION

The inspiration for this practice comes from my intersectional roots as both Japanese and Jewish. My Japanese mother had a practice where we weren’t allowed to wear new shoes outside of the house without putting ashes on the soles. The ashes were from incense burned to honor our ancestors. As we walked out into the world, we brought our ancestors with us, and were indelibly connected to them.

INTENTION

This is a ritual for CONNECTION and RETURN to one’s roots, as well as a reminder that as much as it is there to protect us, we also have an obligation to be STEWARDS to our homeland - including and especially while in diaspora.

TIME FRAME

This ritual BEGINS at the start of Rosh Hashanah and ENDS at the conclusion of Yom Kippur.

THE RITUAL

TEXT IN RED should be said by the lead practitioner who is sharing this ritual with others, or if sole practitioner, said to themselves.

TEXT IN BLUE should be said by all, in unison.

BEGINNINGS

1)

• If this is the first time you are engaging in this practice, you will need to collect soil/sand/earth from WHERE YOU ARE. It should be from the place you currently call HOME.
• If you have performed this ritual in years past, you will start by taking your container of earth from previous years.

*** This is your soil, brought forth by you, representing where you are today as your practice begins, and where your practice has led you. I

f you are returning, bring forth your soil which you have safeguarded on your journeys.***

2) 

In the entranceway to your home, spill out your soil to create approximately one square foot of space, in any shape or form.

• Let the soil spill through your fingers. Inhale the essential scents of earthiness, minerality, or fragility as you connect with the land. 
• You may engage with this practice alone or with others. All who connect with the land of ISRAEL may help build this square foot of soil.

*** This is your soil in your home. It is yours to celebrate and connect with.***

3)

Write ISRAEL in the soil in your native language.

*** This square foot of earth IS your piece of Israel. It is your homeland. Your connection to it is ABSOLUTE through the fact of being Jewish. Your physical presence in diaspora, appearance or racial presentation, or blood quantum have no bearing on your legitimacy as a Jew with a connection to the land of Israel. Being Jewish is enough. YOU are enough.***

In your mother language, honoring the land, we say in unison:

“This is my land. This is my home. This is my Israel.”

EN/DURING

1)

Prepare with spiritual vigilance.

***At the end of each day, you will find your home soil WILL have been disturbed. Do not be shocked or surprised. Without vigilance, the forces of entropy will lay siege upon your earth. Wind may disturb it. An accidental footstep may disturb it. Those who are offended by the concept or word ISRAEL may intentionally attempt to erase ISRAEL from your soil, your home, and your heart. This is to be expected.***

2)

Restore.

***We will rebuild.***

At sunset each night, reinforce the edges where your earth has been disturbed. Retrace and rewrite the name of ISRAEL. Renew and replenish the earth as needed. You are the guardian and steward of this one square foot of ISRAEL. It is your responsibility to safeguard this small piece of soil that connects you to your homeland.

***We do not pretend to be surprised that there are those that would erase the name of Israel from the earth. But we do not shy away from our obligation to rebuild and restore it.***

Upon restoration, we say in unison:

“This is my land. This is my home. This is my Israel.”

RESOLUTION

1)

On the final night, at the end of Yom Kippur, you will reinforce your square foot of land, retrace the name of ISRAEL, and say in unison:

“This is my land. This is my home. This is my Israel.”

2) 

***Safeguard this land and take ISRAEL with you.***

Upon restoration, gather the soil in your hands and pour it into a container to safeguard until the next Rosh Hashanah.

***Your soil can also be shared with others to bring with them through diaspora. Children can seed their containers from the soil of the parents. Newcomers to the practice can start their tradition through connection with your earth. Go forth as stewards, with ISRAEL in your heart.***

Ritual by Stephen Nolly

Background:

This ritual reimagines the traditional practice of tashlich, a ritual that symbolizes casting away the ways we have “missed the mark” in the past year. Using the language of “missing the mark” is a way of acknowledging past mistakes without the punitive connotation conjured by words like “sinning.” The idea of missing the mark also suggests opportunity for improvement and progress, a chance to get closer to our ideal selves. The following ritual plays on this concept with the practice of drawing a target as a metaphor of “making the mark.” It is meant to be practiced at the beach on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, but some find it meaningful to do it during the ten Days of Awe between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Yamim Nora’im, or even until the last day of Sukkot, expect on Shabbat.  

Beginning:

Arrive at the beach and find a moment to ground yourself. This can be by taking a dip in the water, sitting in the sand and taking a few deep breaths, or any other way you like to be present in body and mind. Find a stick or other tool for drawing in the sand and draw three large concentric circles. Find three small objects. Think rocks, seashells, or pebbles. You may also choose to use a small token or object that represents your cultural background.  

The three circles represent community/the world, the middle represents people who are close to you, the smallest one represents yourself. 

Stand or sit in the outer circle and take a minute to think about how you “missed the mark” with each of the groups and how you can improve/contribute more in the coming year. Place a stone or object of choice in each circle as you move through the activity. You can think about specific actions you are not proud of, or take a more general approach guided by the following questions:

1. How can I be a better part of the community at large?
2. How can I improve my relationships with the people I am closest to?
3. How can I be more compassionate to myself?

As you move from outer to inner circle and contemplate the answers, ground your feet or legs in the sand. Feel the ground and the warmth of the sun supporting you. 

Middle:

Next, take a small bag of bread crumbs, representing things you have done in the past year that you have not been proud of. Here is another opportunity to use something that represents your unique background. For example, instead of bread crumbs, you can use salt or another spice– anything that can be easily dispersed in water. Thank G-d or a higher power for giving you another chance to improve in the coming year. 

If you want, you can use the traditional tashlich prayer, or any alternative that resonates with you. 

Here is one option:

Holy One of Blessing

Here I am again

ready to let go of my mistakes.

Help me to release myself

from all the ways I've missed the mark.

Help me to stop carrying

the baggage of my poor choices.

As I cast this bread upon the waters

lift my troubles off my shoulders.

Help me to know that last year is over,

washed away like crumbs in the current.

Open my heart to blessing and gratitude.

Renew my soul as the dew renews the grasses.

Amen.

-Rabbi Judith Beiner 

End:

Return to your circle. Collect the three objects and return to the outer, largest circle. You will repeat the opening exercise, but instead of asking yourself how you can do better, ask:

1. How have I contributed to my community/the world this past year?
2. How have I helped/loved the people I am closest to?
3. How have I been compassionate to myself?

The goal is to bring the energy of all the good you have done into the new year. You can end the practice by placing your hand on your heart, closing your eyes, and visualizing yourself starting the new year in joy and peace, committed to spreading this very joy and peace to others. 

Alternative practices: If you don’t have access to a beach, you can do this ritual at home with a sand tray and a bath tub, or at a park! Sand art kits work great too!

Note: To make this practice extra special, you can wear something new for the ritual, such as a new bathing suit/sun hat. This can also be done as a shared experience with a friend or family member. Make the ritual your own by adding or modifying to meet your unique needs!  

Feliz Año Nuevo and Shanah Tovah!

Ritual by Elianna Bernstein

"Blessed are we and the beauty of beginnings"

[smack your thighs with your hands -- waking up your body, accompanied by vocal sounds "oooooOOOOO OOOOooooo" going up and down]

"We come with humility and new ideas with the promise of green bananas*"

*Japanese cultural reference to having time for something to ripen

Blessing by the 2024 Radical Rituals cohort

Introduction:

For as long as I could remember, the eye of the fish had great significance in my family of origin. In Moroccan culture, the fish often symbolizes abundance, prosperity, fertility and good fortune. Fish also have spiritual connotations, symbolizing protection. Every Rosh Hashana, my family members would all sit around the festive table and fight for the eye of the fish. Why? Whoever was fast enough to get the eye and eat it in its entirety would have a year filled with clarity.

My ritual is inspired by my Moroccan Jewish roots; however, the fish has great significance also on my Cuban side. In the Cuban culture, fish symbolize various themes, including abundance, nourishment, and community. Given the island's strong connection to the sea, fish often represent the importance of fishing as a livelihood and a source of sustenance. Additionally, in some spiritual beliefs, fish can symbolize transformation and adaptability, reflecting the changing tides of life. For my Cuban Jewish roots, fish meant livelihood as my grandfather, Victor was a fisherman all his life.

I felt a deep connection to the fish, specifically the eye of the fish. The idea of letting go through a ritual of taking your thoughts, fears, feelings, hopes and dreams for the new year and dissolving through water represents or in many ways is similar to Tashlich or Kaparot. The connection of the elements, the casting off to return, to invite and create fresh new connections with the eye of the fish.

The Gematria of Dag (daled, gimmel) is 7. [Editor's note: Hebrew word for "fish" is "dag."] In Judaism, seven is a powerful number.

• Creation: God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, marking it as a day of rest and sanctity (Shabbat)

• Shabbat: The weekly Sabbath is observed on the seventh day, emphasizing rest and spiritual renewal.

• Seven Blessings: During a Jewish wedding, seven blessings (Sheva Brachot) are recited to celebrate the couple.

• Menorah: The menorah in the Temple had seven branches, symbolizing divine light and knowledge.

• Seven Days of Mourning: The shiva period, a week-long mourning ritual, reflects the significance of seven in grief and healing.

• Seven Species: The Torah mentions seven species (wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates) that are special to the Land of Israel.

• Seven Readings: During certain holidays, like Simchat Torah, there are seven readings from the Torah.

Instructions:

Setting the Intention: Find a quiet space where you can sit comfortably. Close your eyes and

take a few deep breaths, allowing your body to relax. As you inhale, envision bringing in light

and clarity; as you exhale, let go of any tension or distractions.

Visualizing the Fish: Imagine a serene body of water, its surface glistening in the sunlight. In

this tranquil setting, picture a fish swimming gracefully. This fish embodies clarity and purpose.

As it glides through the water, it moves effortlessly, navigating its environment with ease.

Reflecting on Attributes: Consider the attributes of the fish: Adaptability: Just as the fish

adapts to the currents, reflect on your ability to adjust to life’s changes. What currents have you

navigated this past year?

Perspective: Fish often see the world from below the surface. Allow

yourself to gain a new perspective. What truths have you uncovered that bring clarity to your

life?

Sustenance: The fish sustains itself and those around it. Contemplate how you can nourish

your spirit and those in your community in the year ahead.

Connecting with the New Year: As you visualize the fish, think about the upcoming Jewish

New Year. What intentions do you wish to set? Picture the fish swimming towards a horizon

filled with light, symbolizing new beginnings and opportunities.

Setting Intentions: In this moment of reflection, silently affirm your personal intentions SEVEN TIMES. Personal

intentions are different for everyone. For example:

• "I embrace clarity and purpose as I enter this new year."

• "I release what no longer serves me, welcoming growth and transformation."

• Ani Dag B’Myim

Returning to the Present: Gradually bring your awareness back to your breath. With each

inhalation, feel the energy of clarity filling you. With each exhalation, let go of doubts and

uncertainties. When you feel ready, gently open your eyes, carrying the clarity of the fish with

you into the new year. Embrace the journey ahead with a renewed spirit.

SHANA TOVA!

Ritual by Shoshana Kozaski