Tiferet Journal

Fostering Peace through Literature and Art Interfaith Literary Journal & Writing Retreats

01/06/2025

Everything Joseph Fasano writes feels like magic, even when it’s about pain. We’re moved by the empathy found in this poem; it’s so relatable. Read the rest of “My Father Watching Baseball” in our Spring/Summer issue: https://tiferetjournal.com/spring-summer-2024-tiferet-journal-issue/

01/04/2025

Narrative poetry is a fun, unique writing form, and because of its storytelling nature, is helpful for prose writers who are looking to try their hand at poetry. Give it a try! For more tips, read “Narrative Poetry” in our Spring/Summer issue: https://tiferetjournal.com/spring-summer-2024-tiferet-journal-issue/

01/01/2025

We were thrilled when Melissa Studdard interviewed acclaimed poet, critic, professor, and former US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky for a conversation on Tiferet Talks. On this throwback episode, the two poets discussed his anthology Singing School and his thoughts on teaching creative writing and engaging with readers. Listen to this fabulous conversation here: https://www.blogtalkradio.com/tiferetjournal/2013/09/04/robert-pinsky-tiferet-talk-with-melissa-studdard-2

12/27/2024

Earlier this month we lost one of the most significant poets of our time. Nikki showed us how poetry is a space for truth-telling, activism, and joy even when facing life’s toughest challenges.

If you’re new to Nikki’s work, I highly recommend you check out her famous conversation with James Baldwin. Her strength, wit, and artistry shine in this interview with another one of our literary greats: https://youtu.be/AFGkNEt30Fo?si=3yTrmwvkMEoXMZjs

12/24/2024

A reminder of what’s most important this time of year.

12/17/2024

Let’s try to be the candle for others in this often dark world. And if we don’t have the strength right now to create light, let’s at least remember to mirror kindness and understanding. Thank you, Edith, for this reminder.

12/12/2024

Spiritual reads make such a thoughtful gift for loved ones (or yourself!), so we wanted to share some of our favorites! And of course we have to include Rumi. What books are you gifting this year?

12/10/2024

Having writer’s block? Here are prompts that we’ve used in our weekly Spiritual Writing workshops, along with the poems that inspired them. For more info about our classes, visit: https://tiferetjournal.com/upcoming-events/

12/06/2024

Still resonant thousands of years later. So much wisdom from past teachers.

11/28/2024

This Thanksgiving, we wanted to express gratitude for our writers who graciously share their talent, curiosity, grace, and support to their peers. Thank you to our writers, teachers, and readers for participating from around the world. We couldn’t do this without you.

11/26/2024

As we prepare for Thanksgiving this week, this quote by the great Maya Angelou is a strong reminder to meditate on what we have. Especially as the world faces lots of change and uncertainty, gratitude and faith need to become daily practices so we can build that bridge to welcome good.

11/22/2024

Narrative poetry is a unique writing form in that it incorporates elements of story-telling with poetry. Since we all have stories to tell, why not tell it through poetry? Read more tips in our Spring/Summer 2024 issue by Adele Kenny (pg 67): https://tiferetjournal.com/spring-summer-2024-tiferet-journal-issue/

11/19/2024

This excerpt is from Cit Ananda’s powerful essay on finding meaning in and understanding of suffering. The piece has a way of staying with you, especially in these times. Read the full piece in our Spring/Summer 2024 issue (starting on page 71): https://tiferetjournal.com/spring-summer-2024-tiferet-journal-issue/

11/04/2024

While many Jesuit leaders disapproved of de Chardin’s interest in nature and science, others viewed it as honoring the gifts God gave him. He went on to write numerous works and carve a legacy that encouraged the integration of religion and science.

10/17/2024

Beautiful words from the author of “A Wrinkle in Time,” whose work reflected on both science and her Christian faith.

10/11/2024

Hafiz/Hafez was a Persian poet from the 14th century. Later lines in this poem are: But I know if you / Pray / Somewhere in this world- / Something good will happen.

We can all use less fear and more hope and compassion these days.

Address

Bernardsville, NJ

Website

http://www.tiferetjournal.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Tiferet Journal posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Tiferet Journal:

Videos

Poetry helps us explore and articulate our biggest questions. We loved hearing this poem during our last reading by Lynda Levy, a poet and former psychologist. Interested in Spiritual Poetry? We have a new workshop coming soon. Learn more: https://tiferetjournal.com/community/ #poetryclass #poetryworkshop #poetrycommunity #SpiritualWriting #spiritualjourney #spiritualgrowth

The word “Tiferet” and its definition were the North Star when I first founded Tiferet: A Journal of Spiritual Literature. I loved its meanings of beauty, compassion, harmony, and truth. Tiferet is the sixth sefira in the kabbalistic Tree of Life and is associated with reconciliation of opposites, something sorely needed in today’s divisive world. It is a place where creative forces come together. https://tiferetjournal.com/upcoming-events/ #writingworkshops #spiritualwriting #writingcommunity #literarymagazine #literaryjournal

Writer Ellen Vliet Cohen reads her moving poem, "Let Us Grow Peace" at our Zoom gathering of Spiritual Poets.

Donna Baier Stein on spiritual poetry

Each week, our Spiritual Writing students have the opportunity to channel Spirit through their writing. It’s amazing to watch. #NationalPoetryMonth #writingclass #spiritualwriting #spiritualreading

Spiritual Poetry student Claudia Reder reads poem

This vivid poem by one of our Spiritual Poetry students, Claudia Reder, was inspired by the prompt, "how can you live simply, wisely?" 🧐 At the beginning of each class, we analyze work by prominent spiritual poets and then write our own poems off of a related prompt. Most of the poems, like this one, amazingly are written within ten minutes. Beautiful work, Claudia! 🖋#poetrycommunity #poetrylovers #spiritualpoetry #poetryclass

Donna Baier Stein on the inspiration behind Tiferet's Spiritual Poetry Workshops

Our weekly Spiritual Poetry Writing Workshops mix reflection and writing, with the first half of class spent reading work from a spiritual poet, and then writing the first draft based on a prompt. We also allow writers to read their work and provide feedback. ✨🖋 Feeling inspired? Visit: https://tiferetjournal.com/upcoming-events/ #poetryworkshops #spiritualpoetry #poetrycommunity #spiritualjourney

Tiferet Spiritual Poetry reading: Ruth Krischner

In December our Spiritual Poetry classes had a virtual reading, where students from different countries and faiths read their work. It was a night filled with beautiful, transcendent poetry and great conversation. Here is a reading by poet and playwright Ruth Krischner, based on the prompt "grasping what we cannot grasp." If you missed it, you can watch the whole reading now on YouTube. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZU-_PR5KkM&t=2s #poetrycommunity #poetryreading #spiritualgrowth #writingworkshops