Davening Liberation Oraciones ~ Praying Liberation Prayers

Tu b'Shvat Shabbat morning Torah service Shabbat 10, Shvat 5785 Sat, Feb 8 2025 ~ 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM 

All are welcome to this collectively led, co-created sacred space. With heavy hearts, full of grief and rage, we are reclaiming and reinventing our traditions separate from Zionism/ethno-nationalism, white supremacy, Ashkenormativity and heteropatriarchy. 

Come as you are, no experience necessary. We ask people to mask, and to stay home if you're feeling sick. All gender, wheelchair accessible bathroom. Main space and sanctuary is wheelchair accessible. Parking at rear of building, entrance from 16th - as well as on surrounding streets.

**Potluck kiddush to follow the service**

Please contact us for any access needs, as we learn and grow into community together.

Service is open to all ages, and children will be included at several moments in the service. Experienced childcare and activities will be provided in a space adjacent to the sanctuary, with easy access and flow to the service. Vegan, nut-free snacks will be provided. If you have any additional needs, please reach out to: nicolespencer1@gmail.com

Who is coordinating the service?

Davening Liberation Oraciones is dreamed and coordinated by several Jews, and has been certified with the Apartheid-Free pledge, created and circulated by the American Friends Service Committee.   

We offer gratitude for the opportunity to worship on the stolen, never ceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples – xʷməθkʷəy̓əm/Musqueam, sḵwx̱wú7mesh/Squamish, and sel̓íl̓witulh/Tsleil-Waututh homelands. We commit to resisting white supremacy and colonization from Turtle Island to Palestine. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1) What can I expect from this service?

A non-traditional, creative, heart-centred, and relational service that is: inclusive of kids and elders; committed to decolonizing/unsettling Jewish practices; genderful; accessible in expansive ways; designed to reclaim and reinvent our diverse ancestral traditions separate from ethno-nationalism.

2) Will you be speaking about God?

God will be present in several ways; and referred to by many names. Attending the service has absolutely no requirements around beliefs, practices, etc.

3) What if I've never been to a Shabbat morning service before?

We welcome you! The structure of the service involves readings; shared song; group and private prayers/contemplation; Torah recitation; mourning and collective participation for those who wish. We invite you to arrive as close to 10am to experience the service in its entirety, but anytime is fine.

4) Will Hebrew be used? What languages can I expect?

Many of the prayers will be in Biblical Hebrew, a few in Aramaic, and some in Ladino. Translation and transliteration will be provided. The facilitation of the service will be conducted in English. At this time, we do not have ASL interpretation. Please contact us to arrange, if you need ASL.

5) Do I have to identify as Jewish to attend?

Absolutely not. All cultures, ethnicities, faiths, traditions and creeds are welcome to join us - except Zionism. It's very important to us that our space be safe for those of us who want to connect with our tradition outside of fascist ideologies.

6) Is it possible that Zionists might show up and disrupt the service?

In the unlikely event this happens, a safety plan is in place to ensure our service won't be disrupted. This will NOT mean that we will contact police, but rather work to build structures of safety internally that keep us safe and able to worship together.