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Lilith, Lineage & Living in Ritual — with D’vorah J. Grenn, Ph.D.
06/11/2025
Lilith, Lineage & Living in Ritual — with D’vorah J. Grenn, Ph.D.
In this episode of Seasons of the Goddess, we welcome Hebrew priestess, feminist scholar, and founder of The Lilith Institute®, Dr. D’vorah Grenn, Ph.D. Known for her groundbreaking work in goddess embodiment, Jewish feminist theology, and sacred feminine leadership, D’vorah shares her journey with the archetype of Lilith - as a symbol of sovereignty, sacred rage, and spiritual independence. We explore why women’s circles, ritual, and community healing are essential in today’s world, and how D’vorah’s path as a priestess and teacher continues to awaken and empower others. Whether you're drawn to feminine mysticism, priestess lineages, or the magic of Lilith, this conversation offers a deep remembering and reclamation. We explore: Why community matters: D’vorah shares reflections on how sisterhood, spiritual circles, and collective ritual are critical containers for healing, empowerment, and reclaiming our voices, especially in a patriarchal culture. Her embodiment of Lilith: We delve into Lilith’s archetype—as independence, rage, sexuality, protection, and sovereignty—and D’vorah’s own journey bringing Lilith forward into ceremony and daily life through scholarship, ritual, and mentorship. Trailblazing goddess embodiment: From her academic explorations of the Goddess and pioneering embodiment as a Hebrew Priestess, to establishing The Lilith Institute and leading women’s rites of passage, we uncover key lessons she’s learned along the way and where she’s headed in the future. Connect with Dr. D’vorah: Join events, rhythm circles, courses, and more at: Substack: IG: @lilithinstitute About Yoreshet Ruach D’vorah Grenn, Ph.D Ruach D'vorah Grenn, Ph.D is an En-Kohenet/priestess, ordained Mashpi’ah Ruchanit / spiritual guide and Yoreshet / lineage holder of a female Kabbalist tradition. She founded The Lilith Institute, A Center for Feminist Spirituality in 1997, co-directed the Women's Spirituality MA Program at ITP/Sofia University and founded Mishkan Shekhinah, a movable sanctuary honoring the Sacred Feminine across traditions. She has taught for Ner Shalom, Hebrew College, Yerusha Academy, Aquarian Minyan and other Jewish organizations. She taught Humanities and Philosophy classes as Adjunct Faculty at Napa Valley College, and is currently Faculty with Yerusha Academy, co-teaching the Tree of Life annually with Rabbi Nadya Gross, as well as Jewish Magic and other classes. The Lilith Institute and Yerusha recently co-produced the symposium “Wisdom of the Mothers: Celebrating Matriarchal & Matrilineal Spiritual Traditions.” Publications include: “For She Is A Tree of Life: Shared Roots Connecting Women to Deity”, her dissertation on beliefs and rituals among U.S. and South African Lemba women of Jewish ancestry; Lilith’s Fire, from her thesis; edited Talking to Goddess, an anthology of writings from 72 women in 25 traditions. Her articles include: "The Kohanot: Keepers of the Flame" in Stepping into Ourselves: An Anthology of Writing on Priestesses; “Lilith’s Fire: Examining Original Sources of Power” in Feminist Theology Journal; Jewish priestess and Lilith entries in the Encyclopedia of Women in World Religions; “The First Resister: Evoking Lilith for Transformation and Freedom” in Original Resistance: Reclaiming Lilith, Reclaiming Ourselves; “Spiritual Brokenness and Healing Presence of the Sacred Feminine”, FEMSPEC feminist journal. D’vorah was a founding theorist of the Kohenet Hebrew priestess movement and was on the Kohenet Institute’s Founding Advisory Board. She led her Institute’s Women’s Leadership Program, and co-hosted the “Tending Lilith’s Fire” series with Kohenet Annie Matan.
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