Integrating Joy and Creativity with Spiritual Leadership: an interview with Rabbi Eva Saxbolder

Rabbi Eva serves as Rosh Hashpa’ah, head of Spiritual Direction for the ALEPH Ordination Program, supporting the spiritual development of the seminary students and faculty. She also received rabbinic ordination through ALEPH, the Alliance for Jewish Renewal. She is a spiritual leader who designs transformative learning and ritual opportunities to provide seekers with joyful and creative approaches to Judaism. Eva shared that she was the first generation of Americans in her family. Her parents were holocaust survivors who came to America with very little.  She grew up with a sense of scarcity and a constant fear of not having enough. She started working when she was very young, and she was pretty much working full time until last year, when she turned 70!"I'm taking this year to just breathe into Presence. I was also turning seventy. So I felt like that was a very monumental time for me, you know, to ask: how do I want to live the rest of my life? And it was very clear: it's through joy. It's through creativity. It's through being of service." - Rabbi Eva SaxbolderKey Takeaways- You don’t always need to be doing. Eva describes her life in the past: if it’s Monday, it must be Mussar (the study of Soul Traits), if it’s Tuesday, it must be spiritual direction. She no longer feels the need to be filling her time in the same way, no longer needs to be doing so much, or having so much. Now, she does her projects in small chunks.- Follow your pleasure. It’s okay to engage in things that are joyful without guilt. Eva is in the creative facilitator leadership program of the Jewish Studio Project, an organization that combines visual art creation with Jewish text study. She has established a gratitude practice, and asks herself “where’s my pleasure?” in order to recalibrate. - Realize that it is possible to make the decision to change your life and then actually do it! Eva left her over 40 year profession of being a speech pathologist. She went to rabbinical school, while working full time and getting the kids ready for school, and ultimately became a Rabbi.- Know that all the answers, all the wisdom, lies within ourselves. We need to deeply listen, to pay attention to our dreams. Eva encouraged us to tap into our creative sources. Allow ourselves to imagine. And know that along the way there are going to be digressions and bumps and disappointments, but that's not the end of the journey.About the guest:Rabbi Eva received rabbinic ordination through ALEPH, the Alliance for Jewish Renewal. An alumna of CLAL’s trans-denominational Rabbis Without Borders and the IJS Clergy Leadership Program, she is also a teacher of Jewish Mindfulness Meditation, Mussar and Wise Eldering. Drawing on her skills as a creative artist, she enjoys integrating the expressive arts into her rabbinate. As a spiritual leader she designs transformative learning and ritual opportunities to provide seekers with joyful and creative approaches to Judaism. Rabbi Eva serves as ‘Rosh Hashpa’ah, head of Spiritual Direction for the ALEPH Ordination Program, supporting the spiritual development of the seminary students and faculty. She maintains a practice as a Jewish spiritual director/companion serving individuals and groups. Rabbi Eva has recently moved to Colorado from Manhattan where she was the Rabbi of The Shul of New York serving Jews and non-Jews across the denominational spectrum in the East Village. As a Rabbi, she is firmly committed to supporting people of all identities and enhancing the spiritual lives of those whom she encounters with an open heart by making them feel welcomed, regardless of background, ability, knowledge, gender or sexual orientation. Her strengths as a rabbi, pastoral caregiver and spiritual director/companion are her abilities to listen deeply and create a sense of loving presence with those she serves. She meets people wherever they are on their spiritual paths to live with more purpose, joy and connection throughout every phase of life. Rabbi Eva's commitment to social justice is an integral aspect of her practices. Interested in booking a free consultation? Schedule a call.Stay connected:Connect with Laura on LinkedIn@Rotters5 on TwitterConnect with Laura on FacebookSubscribe to my YouTube channelSubscribe to my newsletterGet your free copy of Unlock Your Money Blocks Workbook : Your step-by-step guide to unlocking your blocks to financial freedom.Disclaimer: Please remember that the information shared on this podcast does not constitute accounting, legal, tax, investment or financial advice. It’s for informational purposes only. You should seek appropriate professional advice for your specific information.