The magic of this universe came alive in the backyard woods of my childhood home in NY amidst the four seasons, where I would imagine the world beyond binaries and dance until my body ached. As I learned about the assimilation of my family into whiteness and asked questions that only led to more questions, I became more comfortable with the discomfort of the unknown. I allowed myself to wander and grow my faith. I worked and lived in intentional communities facilitating conflict resolution and decision-making processes. I taught somatic movement to youth and adults. I learned to grow organic vegetables and flowers. And, I returned to Judaism with a new understanding of the diaspora and how to weave my spirituality within my ancestral roots.

My professional call to chaplaincy arose out of the death of a beloved friend taken too soon to cancer.  My community and I witnessed how she chose to use her imminent death sentence as a healing opportunity that changed all of us in profound ways leading me to follow this path.

We sang to her until her last breath flowed out as the ocean wave…

Reclaiming Chaplaincy

Chaplaincy is a field that brings trained clergy to non-religious settings to offer spiritual care to folks from all religious and faith backgrounds as well as those who are spiritual but not religious (SBNR), agnostic or atheist. Traditional settings range from hospitals and hospice care, prisons, and the military. Chaplains have been reaching beyond these spaces and may be found in corporate organizations, at natural disaster sites, or on the streets during protests and actions for social change (see Faith Matters Network and Movement Chaplaincy).  

When I was ordained as an Interfaith Chaplain, I took on the Hebrew name “Oreget Adamah”.  The dictionary definition of Oreget is: “to braid, to weave; to spin out, conclude, argue, conceive a decision, and to follow the grooves of the garden bed.” Adamah means ‘earth’ whose roots also contain the word for ‘human’.  I believe that we are all on a weaving path in life, following the grooves of our garden beds, making decisions as best we can given our life circumstances, struggling and finding joy along the way. As a change-maker and practicing anti-racist, I believe that change can only come if we begin within. As an “earth weaver”, I am here ultimately in service of our collective healing journey that is made possible when we come together to grieve, pray, play and dream. I am ready to wrestle with tough and transformative questions that could reshape the collective consciousness. And, I am guided by my Eastern European and Moroccan blood ancestors, the revolutionary queer and trans-ancestors, and the benevolent spirits and guides seen and unseen that are here for us always when we tune in.

TRAININGS

Starr King School for the Ministry Masters of Divinity, 2021

The Chaplaincy Institute Interfaith Ordination and Clergy in Good Standing, 2021

Body-Mind Centering Somatic Movement Educator certified 2009  

Process Work Institute Winter Intensive on Conflict Transformation, 2011

Daring Compassion Faith Matters Network Social Justice Chaplaincy, 2019

Re-evaluation Counseling (RC) – peer counseling practice for over 10 years