SVARA: A Traditionally Radical Yeshiva

Traditionally Radical: Queer Talmud for World Transformation 

SVARA is a traditionally radical yeshiva that uplifts queer and trans voices through rigorous Talmud study. People with experiences of being outside tradition and broader societal frameworks unlock Jewish wisdom through their own lens, creating real change for healing and justice using the Talmud’s model of rabbis architecting new Jewish engagement. 

Small Group Innovation: Talmud as Spiritual Practice 

Svara is launching 5-7 small groups exploring whether Talmud study can function as daily spiritual practice, like yoga or meditation. Led by graduates of Svara’s teacher training programs, each group of 8-10 participants meets monthly from late October through May, learning the same text using Svara’s traditional methodology. 

Sessions include shiur (teaching), chevruta (paired study), and chazara (review), opening with niggun and closing with Kaddish Derabbanan. Groups meet primarily in homes or community spaces, with facilitators recruiting their own participants and determining logistics. Svara provides learning materials, access to their teaching library, faculty mentorship, and periodic facilitator convenings for peer support. 

The program tests whether participants can engage this spiritual practice independently without active teacher support, aiming to strengthen Jewish character and empower leaderful action. Facilitators adapt Svara’s methodology to their communities while maintaining core text and structural elements, creating “choose your own adventure” flexibility within traditional frameworks.