Maggie Kraus, Author at SVARA: A Traditionally Radical Yeshiva

A SVARA-nik is seated outside with a masechet propped up on a bright green shtender. They look down at a dictionary in front of them, placing one hand on its pages. Bright green trees can be seen overhead and all around - a warm glow of sunshine surrounds the scene.

Torah in the Field

Rabbi Benay Lappe and Rabbi Maggid Jhos Singer walk together through concentric circles of stones. There is a warm golden light pouring through the leaves of trees above them, and a bird flies directly over them.

The Yentl Moment

A room is filled with SVARA-niks wearing N-95 masks. They are seated in pairs at long tables and there are colorful fabric tapestries hanging from the ceiling. The photograph is focused on one learner speaking and gesturing with their hands.

The Practice of Being Present Together

A small pink, wooden unicorn figure is placed beside a pile of masechtot.

Pink Pony Club and the Search for Queer Belonging

Mishnah Yoma Chapter 2 Mishnah 1 Pt. 4

A calico cat named Ripley sniffs at the printed pages of the Mishnah Collective's Yoma Chapter 1 Commentary.

Teaching Ourselves Into Being

Two masechtot are placed on a small circular table. They are in sharp focus, and the scene behind them is blurry. It is clear that someone is standing at a white board, writing with a marker, while others sit in chairs in front of them.

Honey From the Rock

A dozen people sit around a table in the SVARA bet midrash. The person in the center of the photo is smiling as others clap around them.

When We Gather in Wonder

Two SVARA-niks learning in the bet midrash. They are both seated at a table full of learning materials and they are looking toward eachother.

Joy on Purim

A close-up of a SVARA-niks hands resting just above a masechet. Their fingers are interlocked, and it appears as though they are in the midst of explaining something. They have vibrantly colored tattoos on both arms.

Not Just Possible, But Beautiful

Two SVARA-niks are studying Talmud in the bet midrash. They are seated next to one another wearing N-95 face masks, looking down toward the daf in front of them.

Purim Under Duress

A close-up photograph of a SVARA-nik learning from a maschet. They have a dictionary as well as a "Finding the Root" work sheet in front of them, and they hold a pen in their right hand as it hovers over the daf.

Teaching at a Time Such As This

A screenshot of our final conversation during the Unrecognizable Future. A black slide can be seen on the left side of the screen which reads, "Seeding What's Next: Welcome, y'all! We'll be starting shortly." On the right side is a still image of our host Maggid Marques Hollie, smiling and looking off to the side of the camera.

Seeding What’s Next

A screenshot of the panelists who joined us on Sunday's installment of the Unrecognizable Jewish Future, including Rabbi Mónica Gomery, Rabbi Elliot Kukla, and Dr. Koach Baruch Frazier. Also on screen are the event host Marques Hollie as well as our ASL captioner Deborah Gorra Barash.

Creating New Precedents

A screenshot of the panelists who joined us for the first installment of the Conversation Series, including Rabbi Benay Lappe, Rabbi Jill Hammer, Joy Ladin, and Shahanna McKinney-Baldon. Also present are host Marques Hollie and ASL Interpreter Debra Gorra Barash. Everyone is smiling and there is a joyful energy present.

Reading Ourselves Into History

Two SVARA-niks learn together virtually. One is seated at a large table full of Talmud learning materials and the other one smiles on a Zoom screen on a laptop on the table.

Putting Ourselves Back Together

Rabbi Lauren is seated in the SVARA bet midrash during the Teaching Kollel graduation. She hugs the person sitting next to her, and she is smiling joyfully.

Why I Love Wrapping Tefillin

A chanukiyah burns brightly with all candles lit. They alternate between red and orange candles.

This is Chanukah

A SVARA-nik is peering over the table at the Talmud learning materials in front of them. They are wearing a red t-shirt and a rainbow kippah.

The Real Miracle of Hanukkah

A SVARA-nik is reading a page of Talmud in the bet midrash. The image is zoomed in on the learner's hands which rest on the page in front of them. They are wearing a soft blue sweater, and a SVARA branded shtender sits in front of them.

Waking Up to Divine Purpose