Brian Rohr

Biography

Brian Rohr is a poet and performative storyteller, residing in the Pacific Northwest. His work has been featured in the Jewish Literary Journal, The Word Faire, Blink Ink, and his essay, “On Being a Story-Carrier’’ was published in the two-volume book set about Jewish Storytelling, P’ri Etz Yitzhak, Fruit of Yitzhak’s Tree. He is the founder and director of The Stafford Challenge, an international poetry project inspiring over one thousand participants to write a poem every day for a year, influenced by the legendary poet William Stafford. As a storyteller and performative poet, Rohr has taught and performed at major conferences, high schools, universities, synagogues, libraries, and solo concerts. His debut book, Shaken to my Bones: A Poetic Midrsh on the Torah, was published by Ben Yehuda Press as part of their Jewish Poetry Project series. He is a proud father and husband and loves green and herbal teas.

What is the relationship between Judaism and/or Jewish culture and your poetry?

Judaism is deep at the core of who I am, though it’s something I only truly came to understand as an adult. I’ve connected to it in my own way, on my own terms, rather than through what I was taught as a child, which at the time had very little meaning for me. In coming to a relationship with Judaism, I’ve explored its mysticism, mythology, ancient stories, history, nature, and art. In my writing, I delve into these themes, questioning and wrestling with God, while embracing the wisdom and healing carried within our culture and religion.

Published Works

Shaken to My Bones: A Poetic Midrash on the Torah (Ben Yehuda Press, Jewish Poetry Project, 2024)

Links to Sample Works

Subject Matter

Art & Ekphrasis, Childhood, Cultural Identity, Death, Environment & Climate Crisis, Family, Friendship, Grief & Elegy, Israel/Palestine, Jewish Mysticism, Jewishness, Love, Midrash, Misogyny, Mythology, Narrative, Nature, Parenting, Politics, Torah, Trauma.