@lashul
Communauté spirituelle, mystique, révolutionnaire et diasporiste juive - ouverte à toustes : personnes queers, handis, neuroatypiques et/ou dont l’identité juive n’est pas reconnue. https://www.instagram.com/la_shul_saintouen/
Traditionally, Joseph is read as being mean, vindictive, and trite towards his brothers. But what happens when we read his words thru the lens of Autism & Trauma?
Traditionally, Joseph is read as being mean, vindictive, and trite towards his brothers.
But what happens when we read his words thru the lens of Autism & Trauma?
Last month I attended a Shabbaton.
A rabbi from one of the largest progressive synagogues in Europe began his welcome message to our Shabbaton by making lewd & cruel jokes about autistic people and how autistic people couldn't possibly be rabbis.
🪡♾️🧵
Hannouka a la shul - 30 decembre 19h30 Venez nous rejoindre pour fêter Hannouka à Saint-Ouen ! Tout le monde est invité à apporter des latkes et des boissons. Nous en apprendrons plus sur la fête, sur ce qu'elle signifie, en particulier pour celleux d'entre nous qui sont en marge de la société et des communautés juives. Et nous nous amuserons :)
Venez nous rejoindre pour fêter Hannouka à Saint-Ouen !
Tout le monde est invité à apporter des latkes et des boissons.
Nous en apprendrons plus sur la fête, sur ce qu'elle signifie, en particulier pour celleux d'entre nous qui sont en marge de la société et des communautés juives.
Come join my free discussion group for the autistic Jewish community next weekend!
We will be discussing different conceptions of the Autistic God & what Hanukkah is really about!
All welcome - formal and self identified - all Jewish backgrounds
www.theautisticcoach.com/autism-discu...
this week's parsha is about a queer autistic person getting in trouble for being a queer autistic person.
that's it.
that's pshat.
SVARA is doing the most important work in the Jewish world - building spaces that uplift and center queer and disabled folx, helping Jews on the margins reclaim our heritage.
Want to learn more? Read on - www.svara.org
Want to help us grow? You can - secure.givelively.org/donate/svara...
The Jewish Autism Network is a neurodiversity paradigm affirming autistic organization run by and for autistic people.
We host more free events and programs for the community than any other Jewish organization.
Would you consider supporting us?
www.jewishautismnetwork.com/donations
This weekend one of the mainstream queer Jewish organizations here in Paris hosted a homophobe to speak. Why?
Because the homophobe is an “expert on antisemitism”, which was their justification for why they hosted him, despite knowing his homophobic views.
It gets worse….
The progressive rabbinate is a profession that is filled with autistic people.
Ironically, that doesn’t make it an affirming place. The opposite, in fact.
Autistic rabbis (both hatched and unhatched) internalize neuronormative norms and actively oppress and harm autistic community members.
What is Neuroqueer Torah?
What is Neuroqueer Torah?
more and more autistic comrades are heading into burnout and even depression due to the circumstances of our revealed world
we need to talk about it
we need to help each other
Bluesky Beit midrash promotion.
Some folx to get you started on your Jewish Bluesky journey
go.bsky.app/SR496fT
Reb Zalman’s book “gate to the heart” in black - on a brown surface - the cover has a Shiviti Jewish mandala on it in a number of colors and it reads - I place god before me always
I’ve been spending Shabbat and the weekend with my beloved teacher Reb Zalman in a very intentional way.
I underwent surgery on Thursday and his practical guidance on pain, connection, and self-reflection was a natural place to take solace.
This week’s parsha is violent.
It turns women into scapegoats.
It blames women for men’s actions.
It endorses rape.
It endorses incest.
It endorses massacre.
It endorses women being used for sex.
It speaks nothing about the trauma a parent can cause to their children out of zealotry.
Shabbat Shalom to all those left on the margins ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Announcement for a class on the thought of Reb Zalman. November 18 at 20:00 CET
Come join us for an introduction to the Torah of our dear departed Rebbe, Reb Zalman.
We will meet on Zoom and the class will be given in English with captioning in French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.
20:00 CET
Free to all.
neurotorah.as.me
We founded @lashul.bsky.social to be a safe spiritual space for Jews on the margins
Too many of us have been made to feel unwelcome in Jewish spiritual & communal spaces.
We come together to learn, pray, and grow together - dedicated to building a better world in the Diaspora
Parashat Bereshit begins with two creation stories, which can be confusing. Historically, most people focus on the second story - the one that emphasizes humans’ domination over the world, with men created first, followed by animals and nature, and the first woman emerging from the man. This version has led society to prioritize human control over the environment and hierarchy between genders.
But I’d like to focus on the first creation story. It’s one of interconnectedness and inclusion. Here, humans come last in the order of creation, reminding us that we are not superior to nature but part of it. In this version, humans are created as non-binary beings, encompassing all genders. It’s a narrative that promotes equality and highlights the sacred relationship between humanity and the natural world.
From the very beginning of this creation story, we learn that the Earth, its ecosystems, and all living creatures, including us, are part of a single, divine web. No part is greater than another. This interconnectedness means that every action we take impacts the whole. We must live in harmony with nature, not exploit it.
Reb Zalman’s concept of Eco-Kashrut builds on this foundation. It's not just about technical rules for what we eat; it’s about understanding our responsibility to the Earth and all its creatures. Every food choice we make should honor the planet and the people who work to bring that food to us. It’s about sustainability and care, just as the first creation story teaches us.
Parashat Bereshit, the first Torah portion, IS BACK
A long thread with graphics (with ALT text)
Hoping to make this a weekly thing (let's see how my spoon drawer goes!)
Shabbat Shalom <3
The world has suffered from focusing on the second creation story, the narrative of domination. This has led to over-exploiting the Earth’s resources, harming ecosystems, and creating inequality among humans and between humans and the natural world. We need to reclaim the message of the first story, the one that shows us as caretakers of the planet.
Eco-Kashrut urges us to consider not just how we treat the animals we eat, but also the plants, the air, the soil, and the people who labor in the fields. The interconnectedness of creation means that treating one part of the system poorly harms the whole.
The Earth, as part of creation, is a partner. We must respect the balance that has been created. We cannot deplete resources, harm animals, or mistreat workers without breaking this balance. Just as we are part of creation, so is every other living being—and we must live in a way that reflects this.
We see this in the ocean. Overfishing depletes fish stocks, and when we harm one species, like whales, we disrupt entire ecosystems and leads to destruction for all of us. And it’s not happening to only one species. It’s happening to every species. In harming the balance of the seas, we harm ourselves. Just as the first creation story teaches us, all life is interconnected.
What do you think so far?
The first creation story reminds us that the Earth is “very good,” whole, and sacred. Our role is not to dominate but to nurture this wholeness. Eco-Kashrut is a way of living that honors the goodness of creation by ensuring that what we consume sustains the planet, not depletes it.
To live ethically, we must return to the values of the first creation story—one where humans are part of a greater system, not the rulers of it. Our wellbeing is tied to the wellbeing of every other part of creation, and Eco-Kashrut helps guide us in this responsibility.
Furthermore, the Cain and Abel story of this week’s parasha teaches us that we are our brother’s keeper. When we neglect the needs of the people who grow, harvest, and prepare our food, we are neglecting this duty. Exploiting workers is as harmful as exploiting the Earth. Both violate the interconnectedness of creation.
When we mistreat workers, we harm not only them but the entire system that sustains life. Just as the first creation story teaches us that all of creation is interconnected, our actions toward other humans ripple through the entire ecosystem. Also, as all humans are made in the Divine Image, mistreating anyone is a slap in the face of all that is Holy.
Are you your siblings' keeper?
Eco-Kashrut is not only about what we eat but how our food is produced. It demands that we honor the dignity of those who work the land and bring food to our tables. This respect reflects the sacredness of every person, created in the image of the Divine.
The ethical treatment of workers is central to sustaining the balance of creation. If we exploit those who grow and prepare our food, we undermine the very interconnectedness that the first creation story teaches us to honor. The way we treat workers is a reflection of how we treat the Earth and all living beings.
When we ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and respect for workers, we are living in alignment with the first creation story’s message of balance and care. By treating workers fairly, we acknowledge that the entire system, people, animals, plants, and the Earth, depends on each other. Just as Cain was called to be his brother’s keeper, we are called to be keepers of one another, especially those who make our sustenance possible.
As we reflect on Parashat Bereshit this weekend, let’s return to the first creation story’s vision of a balanced, interconnected world. The concept of Eco-Kashrut invites us to honor the Earth, all living creatures, and the workers who make our sustenance possible. In doing so, we live in harmony with creation, as the Divine intended.
Let's talk about it!
Shabbat Shalom!
Kabbalat Shabbat is all about recognizing the non-binary nature of God.
And sex.
Want to learn more?
Come join our class on Zoom this Monday!
neurotorah.as.me/schedule.php
A beautiful painting in the new Ma’agal Radical Jewish calendar
Do you love Jewish art?
Are you a radical Jew?
Are you a diasporist?
Are you looking for a calendar for 5785 that reflects your beliefs, sensitivities, and aesthetics?
Check out the Ma’agal Calendar by the amazing folks at Miknaf Haaretz, Ze Kollel, Oy Vey, Kol Elles, and more!
maagal.eu
The first human, Adam, held within them the fullness of all gender possibilities. Adam was just that, human. Not a man, not a woman.
This wholeness reminds us that gender diversity is a part of the Divine’s plan, and that our identities, no matter where they fall on the gender spectrum, are holy.
Parashat Bereshit is coming up on us fast. So many angles to take for this week’s drasha.
What’s your favorite teaching and/or aspect of this week’s Parasha?
Sukkot reminds us that vulnerability and strength coexist.
The lulav and etrog, when brought together, form a whole greater than their parts - just like when queer, disabled, and marginalized folks find belonging in our communities.
There are spots still available for our class (held on Zoom) on Rabbi Aaron Shmuel Tamares being held this Monday.
R. Tamares is known as the Gandhi of the Orthodox Jewish world and is not well known today for a variety of reasons (which we will cover)
Come join us
neurotorah.as.me/schedule.php
Shabbat Shalom & Chag Sameach!
Come join us on Zoom for what’s probably the world’s coolest autistic Jewish space
Sukkot reminds us that even the most fragile and even temporary of spaces can hold deep connection.
Our communities are stronger when everyone has a place at the table.
Time isn’t the factor. It’s the effort and intention.