Barrington resident and nonbinary Jewish civic leader Jacob Brier recently released their debut collection, “A Work of Progress: Poems and Prose on Identity, Resistance and Tikkun Olam.” Brier held a book launch event at Temple Habonim on National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11.

“Organized into five distinct sections, ‘A Work of Progress’ traces a powerful arc from personal self-discovery through civic engagement, violence, loss, and ultimately, ritual and hope,” stated a press release for the book. “Each section is anchored by a concrete, deeply personal prose essay, giving the collection a strong, unsparing spine. Standout themes include a Jewish couple’s experiences with harassment, the grief of losing a sister, and the daily realities of navigating community spaces.”

Drawing from the intersection of nonbinary identity and Jewish heritage, the collection utilizes Hebrew liturgy — such as the Yom Kippur confession, Chanukah light, and the Dayenu refrain from the Passover Seder — not as decoration, but as the literal architecture for its stanzas. 

“From lyric pieces like ‘Petals In Bloom’ to raw, physical reckonings with the impact of being misgendered in ‘My Held Breath,’ Brier finds a vulnerable and distinct language for the process of becoming,” stated the release.

"If I had a label, it would read work in progress," Brier stated in the book's opening declaration. 

By coordinating the collection’s launch events with National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11, Brier aimed to amplify conversations surrounding LGBTQ+ visibility, human dignity, and what it means to build a community where everyone truly belongs.

“A Work of Progress” is Brier’s debut collection of poetry and prose.