Geela Rayzel Raphael Papers
Rabbi Rayzel self describes as:
"an 'unorthodox'visionary rabbi. An artistic soul, called to adventure and the transformation of Judaism, she is your basic wild woman Shechinah Priestess. Ordained at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, she also has private s’micha from Reb Zalman- Schacter Shalomi z”l.An active member of Jewish Renewal, she serves as the Director of Spiritual Arts at Aleph,curating special programs to enhance community and shine a light on Jewish creativity.Previously she has served four congregations, worked with Jewish students on campus, and has held other positions in the Jewish community.
Rabbi Rayzel has a 'boutique rabbinate'- officiating for lifecycle ceremonies, destination weddings, teaching, oracle readings, spiritual counseling in the Delaware Valley and on line.She is a founder of the Nechama Minyon, a nightly Ma’ariv virtual community, co-founder of Women of the Wall and the co-producer of the Adding our Voices Archive: Jewish Feminist and Gender-Inclusive Music Archivehoused at Hanover University.
Reb Rayzel, as she is affectionately called,is also an award-winning singer/songwriter and liturgist with a number of recordings to her name. She authored two children’s books: Angels for Dreamtimeand New Moon.Rabbi Rayzel offers musical Shabbat services, concerts, and leads Jewish spiritual travel adventures to exotic places. For more information on all her many projects, including the Nechama Minyon and her Shechinah Oracle deck, see her website:
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Raphael teaches on esoteric topics including Kabbalah, dreams, angels, and the soul, and she also engages in creative endeavors as well. Raphael creates hand painted tallitot and huppahs, as well as her ground breaking Shechinah Oracle cards.Rabbi Rayzel has served four congregations; Leyv Ha-ir,Temple Israel of Leighton, Darkaynu in Pennsylvannia, andBeth Israel of New Jersey. Her past employment includes the Rabbinic Director of Interfaith Family Support Network JFCS in Philadelphia,and Hillel Positions in Philadelphia and Toronto, Canada. In all her work, Raphael endeavors to incorporate spirituality, ritual, feminism, and music to "bring as much joy to Judaism as I can muster." (Rabbi Rayzel, 2012).