Yael Valier

Yael Valier, Co-coordinator of the DCA Think Tank, is the creative director of Theater and Theology, a Jerusalem-based theater company. She also teaches drama at Midreshet Emuna V’Omanut. She is a voice actor, and you can hear her voice multiple characters in several current programs for the Fox Network’s Baby TV channel. Yael and her patent attorney husband, Dan Goldstein, collaborate on various fun educational projects, such as this science and geography album that they co-produced: www.TremendousEarth.com.

  • The Disputation in Barcelona: Theatrical Challenges

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Yael Valier

    In the context of the launch of a new theater company whose mission is to bring entertaining theological content to audiences in and around Jerusalem, Roy Doliner’s Divine Right was chosen as the company’s first production. This play about the Disputation of Barcelona balances historical accuracy and creative dramatic content in a satisfying and intellectually honest portrayal of the events of the Disputation for educated lay audiences. This paper examines the technical, dramaturgical, and theological issues that arose during this production for the playwright, director, actors, and audiences.

  • What makes a “spiritual experience”?

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Yael Valier

    What turns a spiritual experience into a religious one is the training and preparation that creates a religiously shaped receptacle for an experience or at least a religious vector for channeling the experience.

  • Tisha b’Av: Can we still mourn? A reply to Rav Cardozo

    In Tisha B’Av by Yael Valier

    Rabbi Cardozo writes: "Maybe we should literally go out in the streets and help people, sit down with our ideological enemies and see where we can find common ground, instead of simply reciting more kinot?" And yet, there are reasons why we should continue to fast and read Eichah on Tisha b'Av. Here are just a few of those reasons

  • When religious arguments descend into Hareidi bashing

    In Halacha by Yael Valier

    Recently yet another opportunity for Hareidi-bashing appeared, with the news that an 81 year-old woman is suing El Al after being forced to switch seats because a Hareidi man refused to sit next to her. Rabbi Marc Angel commented on the incident in a short article, "Thoughts on the Scandal on an El Al Airplane." But Rabbi Angel's critique misses a crucial point. In fact, there's reason to applaud one aspect of the Hareidi worldview.

  • Homosexuality

    By Yael Valier

    Dear TT-ers, Recently, I have been wondering if we can used proven halachic methodologies to ease the suffering of homosexuals in Orthodoxy.

  • Competing values and the beauty of the irrational choice

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Yael Valier

    This Friday morning, I had a real-life competing values choice to make. I was making challah when I noticed a blood spot in one of the two eggs I was checking. Automatically, I made a move to throw the eggs away.

  • Lying to the Bet Din

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Yael Valier

    Following a lecture by Rabbi Cardozo, I was thinking about the problem of converts coming before a beit din and feeling pressured to lie to the effect