“Speak You Too” is a three-month programme designed to support Westminster Synagogue members in delivering D’vrei Torah, sermons, and interactive teaching. Participants will join three online sessions led by Naomi Soetendorp with Rabbinic guidance from Rabbi Kamila Koprivova. In addition to the online classes participants have the opportunity for personalised 1:1 coaching from Naomi to help prepare their own teachings.

Session Overview:

Week 1: Hinneni – Here I Am
Explore your identity as both teacher and learner in Jewish and secular contexts. We’ll reflect on motivations for teaching at Westminster Synagogue and identify suitable teaching opportunities within the community.

Week 2: “Who is wise? One who learns from everyone”
Learn to harness modern tools like Sefaria and ChatGPT, alongside traditional Jewish methods such as chavruta learning. Discover how relationships and dialogue shape meaningful teaching. (No prior experience with these tools is required.)

Week 3: “To begin with oneself, but not to end with oneself”
Examine the balance between personal expression and communal responsibility, especially when teaching during significant lifecycle moments. We’ll explore how to craft messages that resonate with and uplift the broader community.

About the Facilitator:
Naomi Soetendorp is a Practice Educator and creative writing tutor. She co-founded Wandering Jews and Grassroots Jews, and has mentored many first-time Jewish educators.

The programme title is inspired by Paul Celan’s poem Speak You Too, as translated by Pierre Joris.