Rachel Barenblat

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat was ordained by ALEPH in 2011. She holds an MFA from Bennington and is author of two books of poetry, Waiting to Unfold and 70 faces: Torah poems, both published by Phoenicia Publishing; her third volume, a collection of Jewish liturgical poems, is due in 2014. Since 2003 she as blogged as the Velveteen Rabbi. She serves a small congregation in western Massachusetts where she lives with her husband and son.

(A)theologiesDecember 12, 2013

Opportunity Knocks in Pew Results

By Rachel Barenblat

So the ground is shifting beneath our feet—what else is new?

(A)theologies, Sexuality/GenderMarch 12, 2010

Sara Hurwitz’s ‘Rabba’ Title Sparks Orthodox Jewish Condemnation

By Rachel Barenblat

Because women aren’t permitted to be rabbis in the Orthodox Jewish tradition, Sara Hurwitz was given the made-up title Mahara”t upon her ordination. A little while later, after she was quietly given the title rabba, the Orthodox Jewish world responded with condemnations.