Reintegrating the Divine Feminine into Jewish Creation Spirituality
The opulently illustrated book Under One Crown looks anew at Judaism’s originating depiction of the feminine as a source of evil, in which the Moon must diminish herself in order to explain the introduction of evil and suffering into God’s Creation.
Honoring all aspects of Divinity, Under One Crown explores an alternative midrash crafted for those who yearn for a more inclusive understanding of gender, sexuality, and gender roles.
When feminine and masculine energies are freed from ancient stereotypes, they inspire us with the creative freedom to shape reality and mystery in a more holistic way.
The Impact
Under One Crown’s alternative to the Chullin 60b narrative yields a more egalitarian perspective of the masculine and feminine archetypes. With the current renewed (and renewing) impulse to honor all aspects of Divinity, this book responds to Torah’s question in our time: if we were to choose this alternative Midrash, how might our subsequent understandings differ? For we know, every interpretative choice both seeds and bounds future interpretations. It is our prayer that Jewish women and men benefit from this fresh look at a profoundly influential ancient teaching.
What the Money is for
The beautiful and powerful illustrations integral to this work require printing at a quality level beyond the publisher’s normal practice, and consequently at a cost higher than customary. A respected Jewish publishing house has accepted the book for publication, but requires the writers and artist to make a financial contribution to offset the additional cost for printing.
Those who contribute $180 or more would receive a copy of the book signed by the writers and artist.
Authors and Illustrator
Rabbi Raachel Jurovics, Ph.D.
Reb Raachel earned B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in English Medieval Literature from UCLA. She has served in numerous community and congregational leadership capacities, with an emphasis on human rights issues. Ordained by the Jewish Renewal Seminary, she currently serves as President of OHALAH, the Jewish Renewal Rabbinic/Cantorial/Rabbinic Pastor Organization. Reb Raachel is the founding spiritual leader of Yavneh: A Jewish Renewal Community in Raleigh and maintains a multi-faith spiritual direction practice.
Sarah Stein, Ph.D.
Sarah, Associate Professor of Media Studies at North Carolina State University, has a background in documentary film-making, including winning an Oscar for film editing. Ordained as a contemplative minister through the Interfaith Theological Seminary, she has worked as a Spiritual Director for more than 18 years. Her interests encompass feminist revisions of theological texts and received understandings of common religious themes.
Mary Blocher
Mary understands herself as innately four things – a Texan woman, a veteran, a spouse, and Jewish. Her mother raised her to reject the automatic exclusion of women from anything. The U.S. Army taught her to appreciate the rights and liberties we should all express in our lives. She and her husband Joe met in the Army and continue to explore life-long partnership and love. Converting to Judaism after a decade of searching for her faith, Mary joyfully accepts the daily challenge to live in Covenant with YHWH.
Andrea Gomez
Andrea received her BFA in painting from the Tyler School of Art, Temple University, where she studied painting and drawing and also apprenticed as an animator. She made independent experimental animation from ’72 to the mid- 80’s, accruing various awards and honors, including being chosen an AFI fellow.
Returning to painting, in 1988 she opened a studio in Artspace, Raleigh, NC. While there, her work was acknowledged in numerous newspaper reviews, shows, awards, and collection inclusions. (Please visit her website at www.gomezart.net.)
Leaving Artspace in 2001, Andrea built her own studio. Her work reflects wide interests in subject matter, mastery of many media, and often reflects Biblical or theological themes. Her portraits are prized for their presentation of the subject’s personality and biography through facial expression, posture and mise en scene, giving lively voice to her subject’s personal narratives.
