Rabbi Amy Joy Small, spiritual leader of the Reconstructionist Congregation Beth Hatikvah in Summit, will lead a two-part series on "Women's Spirituality through Poetry, Story, Torah Commentary and Contemporary Writing." The series, which is sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), West Morris Section, will be held at noon on Thursdays, Oct. 25 and Nov. 15, in the conference room at Morristown Jewish CenterBeit Yisrael, 177 Speedwell Ave., Morristown. (Entrance to the synagogue is through the back.)

The workshop series is being coordinated by the National Council of Jewish Women, West Morris Section's Our Jewish World, co-chaired by Ellen Nesson and Melanie Levitan, both of Morristown.

Rabbi Small's workshops will be an eclectic introduction to the incredible creativity of Jewish women in crafting both old and new spiritual experiences. The interactive sessions will give participants opportunities to develop their own creative ritual, which they can take with them.

The workshop leader is a fellow of Rabbis Without Borders, a rabbinic leadership program of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership. She is a participant in the Rabbinic Leadership Initiative of the Shalom Hartman Institute, a selective three-year fellowship program. She serves on the board of the MetroWest NJ Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life, and the MetroWest UJC board.

Rabbi Small has been a passionate advocate for Jewish education. Her publications include a chapter in A Women's Haftarah Commentary (edited by Rabbi Elyse Goldstein), and a story in the collections Three Times Chai: 54 Rabbis Tell Their Favorite Stories (edited by Laney Katz Becker) and Text Messages: A Torah Commentary for Teens (edited by Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin).

The two-part workshop on Women's Spirituality is free for National Council of Jewish Women members, West Morris members; the fee for non-members is $6 apiece. But if a non-member pays to join National Council of Jewish Women, West Morris ($35 a year) in advance or at the workshop, she or he can attend the workshop(s) at no charge.

Attendees should bring a bag lunch (no meat, please). Coffee and dessert will be provided.

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. RSVP to ellen.nesson@gmail.com.

Original post:

Women's spirituality series to be held at Morristonw Jewish Center