The Ritualist

While many are concerned about finding new ways to engage the “unaffiliated” in Jewish life, many do not realize that the “unaffiliated” are often interested in Judaism even if they are not interested in communal institutions. The Ritualist hopes to meet the needs of the unaffiliated (and affiliated) Jews who they call “independents”—people wanting to create lifecycle rituals that are meaningful, personal, and innovative, inside or outside of synagogue or institutional settings. 

Founders Rachel Brodie and Julie Batz do this by researching and developing Jewish lifecycle rituals—from baby namings to funerals—and train laypeople and clergy to facilitate these rituals outside of a synagogue. Currently, they are working on a Web site that will connect independents to ritual facilitators and to other resources available in the Jewish community. 

The Ritualist appreciates that many people—rabbis in particular—are concerned that this encourages worship without synagogues. But since independents and lifecycle rituals are “de facto aspects of 21st century American Jewish life,” Brodie and Batz want to educate “consumers” about the Jewish resources available to them. To learn about Jewish resources in your area, visit www.theritualist.org.