{"id":939,"date":"2025-10-24T18:56:58","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T18:56:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tovaabelmantherapy.com\/?page_id=939"},"modified":"2025-11-07T21:55:46","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T21:55:46","slug":"storycraft-explore-affirm-your-jewish-identity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tovaabelmantherapy.com\/index.php\/storycraft-explore-affirm-your-jewish-identity\/","title":{"rendered":"StoryCraft: Explore & Affirm Your Jewish Identity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Facilitator: Tova Abelman, AMFT & Provisional Registered Drama Therapist<\/strong>. Tova is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT138177) supervised and employed by Candice Seti, Psy.D license<\/strong> #PSY21609 at Me Only Better https:\/ \/meonlybetter.com<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Join a small 8-week online group for Jewish adults who want to create or reimagine personal stories, songs, poems, or other meaningful pieces<\/strong>. Whether you arrive with something already written or come with only a spark of an idea, this group will support you in shaping it into a piece that expresses your experience and connects meaningfully with others.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through guided creative exploration, reflection, and gentle sharing, you\u2019ll discover the deeper meanings within your story\u2014honoring your experiences, your heritage, and your hopes for what\u2019s possible.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each session blends storytelling, discussion, and creative practice, and the process culminates in an online and optional open mic where you have the opportunity to share your work in a supportive space and engage in audience discussion, highlighting healing strands, meaning, and connection. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This experiential process emphasizes storytelling as a way to empower both you and your audience, no prior theatre, writing, or performance required.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who This Group Is For<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This group is for you if you are ready to:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Explore your experiences of being Jewish through creativity and reflection<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Create something new or rework an existing story, song, poem, or other meaningful piece<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Share your work in a way that highlights<\/strong> healing, meaning, and possibility<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Connect with others in a space of respect, creativity, and community<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Stories that honor ancestors, cultural heritage, or transformative life moments are welcome.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Please note: This group focuses on<\/strong> personal storytelling and creative expression<\/strong>. It is<\/strong> not a space for processing serious trauma, sharing negative stories about others, or formal performance coaching<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What to Expect<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sessions 1\u20137:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Guided creative prompts and reflection exercises to spark ideas or deepen existing work<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Time during each session to write, edit, or reimagine your piece<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Supportive group sharing and discussion to help you refine your voice and vision<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Optional light movement or embodiment exercises (fine to remain seated)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Encouragement to dedicate some time between sessions to developing your piece<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Session 8 \u2013 Community Open Mic<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • A supportive space to share your piece (participation encouraged but optional)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Audience discussion and reflection focused on<\/strong> meaning, connection, and resonance<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Friends, family, and guests of participants are welcome by invitation<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Logistics <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Scheduling: Days\/times TBD based on participant availability. Reach out today to share the week day and time that would work best for you! Email: tovadramatherapy@gmail.com<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Sessions 1-7 run for an hour. Session 8 is open mic and will be approximately 2 hours with ~1 hour for open mic & time for audience discussion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Location: Online (Zoom)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Cost: $45 per group session<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Space is limited! Interested? Email Tova (tovadramatherapy@gmail.com) to set up a free brief Zoom call to see if this workshop will be a good fit for you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Performing at the open mic session is not required but is strongly encouraged to experience the full benefit of this group and share your story with others in the community.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        You will need to have something to write with during sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        There may be movement and active participation in sessions, but fine to remain seated and move from a seated position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        There will be time during sessions to work on your piece, although it is beneficial to set aside time outside of sessions to work on it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Final open mic is optional and open to the public (via participant invite). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Additional FAQ About the Group<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Do I need to come with a finished story, song, or other piece?<\/strong>
        No. You\u2019re welcome to arrive with something you\u2019ve already been working on or come with only a spark of an idea. Throughout the group, you can choose to develop your own original creation or explore and reinterpret an existing piece\u2014such as a poem, story, song, or sacred text\u2014that holds personal meaning for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What if I already have a story or song I\u2019ve performed before?<\/strong>
        Wonderful! You can revisit or reimagine it through the lens of this process, exploring new meanings and ways of expressing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How does this connect to my Jewish identity?<\/strong>
        Participants can explore stories, memories, or traditions that reflect their Jewish identity. The group offers space to reflect on what being Jewish means to you today, and to express that meaning creatively in a way that can resonate with, inspire, and uplift others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Do I need to perform at the Open Mic?<\/strong>
        Performing is optional but encouraged. Sharing your story publicly can be a meaningful part of the process, but you\u2019ll gain value whether or not you perform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Do I need to have experience in writing or performing?<\/strong>
        Not at all. You\u2019ll be guided through creative exercises that help you find and shape your story in your own authentic way. Please note:<\/strong> While the facilitator provides guidance and structured creative time during sessions, individual feedback or support outside of group meetings is not included in the group fee. Additional paid individual sessions ($140 per 45 minute individual session) can be arranged separately if desired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        When does this group start?<\/strong>
        Specific week day and time will be determined based on interested participant’s schedules. If you’re interested in the group, send me an email (tovadramatherapy@gmail.com)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How much does the group cost?<\/strong>
        $45 fee is charged per each group session you attend, and you’ll only be charged for sessions you attend as long as you provide at least 24 hours’ cancellation notice. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours\u2019 notice will be charged. There are 8 total sessions, including open mic session. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What will I need for the sessions?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Something to write with (pen\/paper or device)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • A comfortable, private space for reflection and creative work<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Willingness to listen, share, and engage in community<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Time outside of sessions to reflect on and develop your piece<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
          \n\n\n\n

          Ready to Begin?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          This is your space to explore your voice, honor your story, and connect through creativity.
          Space is limited\u2014reach out today to learn more and see if this group feels right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Email me to schedule a free brief zoom call about <\/strong>this group! tovadramatherapy@gmail.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Join a small 8-week online group for Jewish adults who want to create or reimagine personal stories, songs, poems, or other meaningful pieces. Whether you arrive with something already written or come with only a spark of an idea, this group will support you in shaping it into a piece that expresses your experience and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-939","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tovaabelmantherapy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/939","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tovaabelmantherapy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tovaabelmantherapy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tovaabelmantherapy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tovaabelmantherapy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=939"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/tovaabelmantherapy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/939\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":972,"href":"https:\/\/tovaabelmantherapy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/939\/revisions\/972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tovaabelmantherapy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}