Meet Our People

Publications

  • Mayyim Hayyim Sixth Day Group, Matia Angelou (contributor). 2009. Blessings for the Journey: A Jewish Healing Guide for Women with Cancer. Newton, MA: Mayyim Hayyim.

  • Angelou, Matia. 2005. “Response to Rabbi Alan Lew on Meditation.” Sh’ma: A Journal of Jewish Ideas, March.

  • Angelou, Matia, and Janet Berkenfield. 2003. “These Are the Living Waters - Kos Miryam for Pesach.” In The Women’s Seder Sourcebook: Rituals and Readings for Use at the Passover Seder, edited by Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, Tara Mohr, and Catherine Spector, 62–63. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing.

  • Angelou, Matia. 2003. Discovering the Cup of Miriam. In The Women’s Seder Sourcebook: Rituals and Readings for Use at the Passover Seder, edited by Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, Tara Mohr, and Catherine Spector, 67–68. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing.

  • Angelou, Matia. 2003. Telling Our Stories of Revelation. In The Women’s Seder Sourcebook: Rituals and Readings for Use at the Passover Seder, edited by Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, Tara Mohr, and Catherine Spector, 169-170. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing.

  • Angelou, Matia. 2003. Discovering the Cup of Miriam. In The Women’s Seder Sourcebook: Rituals and Readings for Use at the Passover Seder, edited by Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, Tara Mohr, and Catherine Spector, 67–68. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing.

  • Angelous, Matia. 2001. “Kos Miryam.” In All of the Women Followed Her: A Collection of Writings on Miriam the Prophet and the Women of Exodus, edited by Rebecca Schwartz. Mountain View, CA: Rikudei Miriam Press.

  • Ashira, Matia Angelou (contributor). The Indwelling Presence. Ashira Productions, 2000, bandcamp.

  • Angelou, Matia. 1996. “New Moon of the Daughters.” In Celebrating the New Moon: A Rosh Chodesh Anthology, edited by Susan Berrin, 157–58. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson, Inc.

  • Angelou, Matia. Various articles and poetry. In Neshama, edited by Matia Angelou, Boston: 1989-1999.

Awards, Certificates, and Degrees

  • Certificate, Yoreshet [Lineage Holder]
    Rabbi Nadya Gross, Yerusha (2023)

  • Ordination, Rabbinic Pastor
    ALEPH Ordination Program (2011)

  • Ordination, Mashpi’ah Ruchanit [Spiritual Director]
    ALEPH Ordination Program (2009)

  • Eshet Hazon, “Keter Malchut,” [Woman of Vision, Crown Kingdom]
    B’nai Or of Boston (1999)

  • Certificate, SpiritSong Teacher
    Indigo River SpiritSong Institute (1997)

  • Certificate, Music Together Teacher
    Music Together (1996)

  • Charlotte Bloomberg Award
    Nishmat haNashim/WomenSoul (1995)

Memberships and Service

  • Vice President, Executive Board
    Walker Center for Ecumenical Exchange (2020 – present)

  • Member
    Multifaith Collaborative, Open Spirit Center (2018 -2025)

  • Supervisor, Feminist Field Education Program for Chaplaincy, Ministry, and Rabbinic Students
    Newton Wellesley Hospital (2018 – 2024)

  • Member
    Daughters of Abraham, Book Group for Jewish, Christian and Muslim Women, (2001 – present)

Yoreshet Matia Rania Angelou Rabbinic Pastor, Eshet Hazon

[she/her]

Instructor, Wisdom School

Jewish Renewal

Rabbinic Pastor Matia Rania Angelou, Eshet Hazon, Yoreshet, is a published poet and song writer, ritual artist, healer, and teacher of meditative chant. She received smicha from the ALEPH Ordination Program where she also received smicha as a Mashpia’ah Ruchanit, Spiritual Companion. Matia studied with Rabbi Nadya Gross in the first cohort of “Secrets My Grandmother Taught Me” and subsequently received the title Yoreshet in the Advanced Circle of the Wisdom School. In the past, Matia was Assistant Principal of Eitz Chayim Hebrew School, a B’nai Mitzvah Tutor for children and adults, and the Spiritual Leader of B’nai Or of Boston. A graduate of the Indigo River SpiritSong Teacher Training Institute and a certified practitioner of Applied Resonance Therapy, Matia blends these techniques with Jewish meditation to create vibrational immersion for healing through sound. In 1995, Matia won an award for her work with Nishmat haNashim/WomenSoul, an organization she founded to deepen spirituality through Jewish study, meditation, healing and creative arts. Matia released a CD of original songs with the trio Ashira and uses music and song in her chaplaincy. Working with Stephanie Loo, the originator of Kos Miryam, Matia created ceremonies using the Cup of Miriam for Jewish holidays and life cycle occasions. Matia serves as a Mikveh Guide for Mayyim Hayyim Community Mikveh where she published ceremonies to enhance the ritual of immersion. In addition to her work as a chaplain for residents in memory care units, she provides spiritual counseling, offers workshops, and mentors leaders in the spiritual community. Her work unites people of different faiths and backgrounds through her service in community groups and in organizational leadership. Matia offers Rosh Hodesh groups, leads monthly rituals to bless the moon, and creates labyrinth walks for Jewish holidays at Makom Hazon in Massachusetts.