Blessing Sexuality in Judaism

Through the examination of traditional Jewish blessings and contemporary adaptations of them we will gain tools for creating liturgy that celebrates sexuality and the body. We wil focus on the traditional Jewish betrothal blessing which has strong but troubling sexual overtones and alternative versions that have been written for egalitarian and same-sex weddings. In the process we will explore the Biblical roots of the betrothal blessing and the traditional daily Jewish blessing for the body.

Looking in depth at the betrothal blessing and the process of rewriting it will enable us to have a conversation about the role of sexuality and the body in ritual moments.  We will discuss the importance of celebrating and sanctifying the body during religious rites to counteract the larger societal messages that either commodify and cheapen sexuality or restrict and limit it.  The complexities of transforming and using a misogynistic, heterosexist, tradition to celebrate egalitarian and queer relationships will be addressed; as will the issues that arise from these blessings for differently abled and ill people.

All the texts and blessings will be available in both Hebrew and English. No prior knowledge of Hebrew or Jewish tradition is necessary.

Rabbi Renée Bauer was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College at which time she received the Ann Pinkenson Prize for Excellence in the Study of Rabbinics. She received her B.A. in history and Judaic Studies from Brown University. Rabbi  Bauer also spent a year sutudying at Leo Baeck College in London and while  there served as a visiting  rabbi in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Prague and Budapest. She currently serves as the rabbi of Congregation Mayim Rabim in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Rabbi Bauer is a member of the Wisconsin board of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and was previously a member of the national board of Kolot: The Center for Jewish Women's and Gender Studies. She currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her partner Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman.