armadil
This post provides a link to “Havdalah: A Celebration of Difference,” an alternative ceremony written by Rabbi Leila Gal Berner to emphasize the idea of pluralism within the Jewish community. Written specifically to include Jews of patrilineal descent and Jews-by-choice who are not accepted by some communities, the ceremony can be expanded to affirm the acceptance of anyone who has trouble finding place in the Jewish community, such as LGBTQ Jews, older and physically challenged Jews, and Jews of different ethnic backgrounds. While this complete ceremony is based on the traditional Havdalah ritual, certain parts are adapted, while others are omitted entirely. The alternative versions of the blessings were written by Marcia Falk, a poet, Judaic scholar and author of “The Book of Blessings.” Rabbi Leila Gal Berner is a Reconstructionist Rabbi, feminist, writer, educator and leader in the LGBTQ Jewish community. She submitted this ceremony to Ritualwell.org, a project of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College that provides a platform for creating new Jewish practices.