Havdala is one of Judaism’s beautiful rituals of transition—but some parts can feel perplexing. Join us for this workshop where we breakdown the history and poetry of this ceremony that ends Shabbat. Looking at Biblical, Talmudic and medieval sources we’ll explore how Havdala developed from a simple rabbinic blessing into a multi-sensory home ceremony filled with light, scent, taste and song. Then we’ll roll up our sleeves to get comfortable with and even reinterpret the Havdala elements through the lens of contemporary ritual design. Come ready to learn, create, and let a spark carry you into the week.

Rabbi Elisha Gechter is a Jewish educator, ritual designer, and community builder. She serves as Senior Director of Community Engagement at Harvard Hillel, and is a board member at Mayyim Hayyim. She leads a monthly minyan in Somerville called Spring Hill Minyan and serves as a rabbi with Honeymoon Israel. A longtime teacher of Jewish text and ritual creativity, she is passionate about helping individuals and communities craft meaningful, resonant Jewish practices.