Communal Tragedy

Memorial wall with photos and plaques honoring Yitzhak Rabin at Tel Aviv assassination site.

As individuals, we all know pain and loss. It is the rare person who escapes sorrow. But when one of us hurts, others are there to offer comfort. Communal tragedy is different. When something bad happens to us as a community—whether that is a school, a town, a people, or a country—we struggle to figure out how to tend to our own wounds while taking care of each other. Drawing on compassion, empathy, justice, and love, we can bring out the best in each other, and perhaps, find a theology of hope in the midst of despair.

Latest Rituals

“Blessed Breath of the Universe, / I pledge myself again…”
Peace sign made of colorful stones arranged on weathered wooden surface with peeling white paint.
“In the synagogue / hung a ner tamid the eternal flame / it too went up in flames”
A small green plant growing from the center of a weathered, hollow tree stump in grass.
“Blessed are the souls / As they leave the Temple of body…”
Wispy white clouds stretch across a deep blue sky, creating a soft and airy atmosphere.
“Infinite Source of All, / As darkness threatens, / Enable me to join/ The Light of Redemption…”
Starry night sky above grassy hill and bushes, with clear blue tones and faint clouds near the horizon.
“God of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar, may the land of covenant and promise, sanctified by the children of both their sons, become an oasis of peace in a chaotic world.”
Field of red flowers under a cloudy sky at sunset, with sun setting near the horizon and trees silhouetted.
This memorial service includes poetry, prayers and readings.
A red ribbon pinned to a white shirt, symbolizing awareness and support for HIV/AIDS.
“May there never again be war.  Wasn’t war  lifetimes ago? Who wants war?” 
Plate of chocolate madeleines on a table with vintage photos, books, flowers, and dark chocolate pieces.
“We created this mayhem in the night time / because our hearts were full of fear,” and now we must live in its shadow.
Close-up of seven lit candles with melting wax in a dark setting.
A powerful prayer addressing food insecurity and the SNAP crisis in America.
Person serving stew onto a white plate with a ladle at a buffet or soup kitchen.
“What do we do / with these yellow ribbons / tied to the memory / of October 7th?”
Golden wheat field with a few wildflowers, blurred background of hills and blue sky.

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The Reconstructionist Network