Queer Shiva

with Nattan Dobkin

A shiva is a jewish tradition, a week-long mourning period following a burial, where you open the home of the deceased person, welcoming family, friends, acquaintances, even stranges.

Everything and everyone can enter the door. Childhood friends reuniting, two cousins who have not spoken with each other for a decade, an old forbidden love affair. Everybody’s shame is exposed and exceptionally celebrated. No taboos, just sitting all together in the pain. People come together, all together in the pain. Eating and drinking, crying and laughing, together or alone in the presence of others.

In this alternative queer shiva, we will not be mourning any specific person in particular, together we will be mourning a collective grief, the current state of the world. We will give space to any pain and grief we might feel, allowing it to be held collectively. You are invited to show up as you are, to dress up, to enjoy gathering in filth and beauty. You are invited to bring food or drinks, come empty-handed, to enjoy the unexpected. There might be games around, there might be things to draw with, equipment for singing a song or facing a void. Activities may appear, in whichever order or mess they might emerge in, the collective dramaturgy will be the facilitator.

This queer shiva is offering an open and durational space of togetherness centered around grieving, shaped by the people who show up. You are welcome to have soup or cuddle in bed, or simply be the weirdo in the corner of the room.

Everyone and every state is welcomed.