Spiritual Memoir: A Generative Writing Workshop

Are you ready to understand your own story more deeply—or finally finding the courage to tell it? This workshop offers a grounded, generous and non-judgmental space to explore the sacred (and secular) terrain of your life, whether you're leaving a tradition, finding one, or have never considered yourself religious at all. Rooted in Jewish tradition but wide open to all spiritual and secular paths, each session pairs inspiring readings from published spiritual memoirs with non-judgmental discussion about the process and craft of writing, and prompts designed to unlock what wants to be written. No prior writing experience is needed, only a willingness to show up with kindness towards others and yourself. By winter's end, you'll leave with new pages, creative community, and a clearer sense of how you want to tell your story.

A short reading* list will be sent in mid-December
*Reading or listening to the books is not “required,” but doing so will support your writing practice, and we may discuss them in class.

Alicia Jo Rabins is a writer, musician, performer, and Torah teacher. The New York Times calls her voice “gorgeous”; the San Francisco Chronicle calls her writing “a poetry page-turner, both sexy and humble.” Rabins is the author of five books, including Divinity School (winer of the APR/Honickman First Book Prize); Fruit Geode (a New York Times New & Notable Selection and Jewish Book Award finalist), and most recently the 2026 spiritual memoir, When We're Born We Forget Everything (Schocken Books). She has taught creative writing at Portland State University, Literary Arts, and elsewhere. As a singer-songwriter, Rabins tours internationally with Girls in Trouble, her indie-folk song cycle about Biblical women. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her family.

Photo Credit: Geoffrey Biddle

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