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Topic Tags: hostages

Latest Rituals

Al Het For These Times

This contemporary Al Het speaks to us in 5786/2025.
  • by Rabbi Ariel Tovlev
community, Gaza, hostages, immigration, Israel, peace, racism, sexism, transphobia, yom kippur
a group of people standing in shadow, holding hands

Prayer for the Return of the Hostages and for Peace

“We pray to see the day when Israelis and Palestinians – Jews and Christians and Muslims – will dwell under their fig trees and grapevines, whether in Tel Aviv, in Ramallah, or in Gaza City, and no one will make them afraid.”
  • by Rabbi Marisa James
captives, Gaza, hostages, Israel, justice, peace
Green figs growing on a tree branch, surrounded by large green leaves in sunlight.

Beginning to Pray

A collaborative prayer grounded in pursuit of freedom, safety, liberation, and justice for all. 
  • by Rabbis Rachel Davidson, Megan Doherty, Miriam Geronimus, Enid Lader, Bec Richman, Steve Segar, Micah Shapiro
famine, Gaza, God, hostages, hunger, Israel
Pile of rocks in a desert landscape with distant mountains under a clear blue sky.

Hostage Square

A description of Hostage Square in Tel Aviv
  • by Rabbi Dayle A. Friedman
art, despair, hope, hostages, Israel
A highchair with orange balloons, protest signs, and a sign in Hebrew at an outdoor event with people nearby.

A Prayer for the New Year, 5786

“Help our hearts heal so we can find the strength / to forge a new road and find a way to live in peace…”
  • by Bruce Black
hostages, Israel, new year, Oct 7, October 7th, peace, rosh hashanah, war
Small waterfall flows over mossy rocks into a calm, greenish pool in a forest setting.

To The Captives

“And cry to Heaven—bring them home/No soul should ever weep alone…”
  • by Mikhail Lazarevich Gurfinkel
captives, hostages, Israel
A tall, narrow rock stands in a dry, rocky desert landscape under a clear blue sky.

May Memory Outlast this Pain

“And on another side, / children whose names the world never learned, / mothers who died calling for their babies, / fathers buried beneath silence.”
  • by LilyFish Gomberg
grief, hostages, Israel
A torn paper heart hanging on a string against a dark background.

אָנוּ קוֹרְאִים Anu Korim

“We are here, / in the Garden, / knocking on Your gates.”
  • by Amy Josefa Ariel
captives, Gaza, God, hostages, Israel, peace, war
A stack of rocks on a desert landscape with distant mountains under a clear blue sky.

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party: Another Prayer for Israel

“When I pray for peace, help me stay raw…”
  • by Rabbi Amy Josefa Ariel
God, hostages, Israel, peace, war
A dirt path lined with olive trees and stone walls leads through a scenic landscape under a clear blue sky.

Standing In Light, Surrounded by Love: A Prayer for Recently Released Hostages

For recently released hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Damar,and Doron Steinbrecher
  • by Shelley Riskin
captives, hope, hostages, Israel, love
Mountain landscape with dramatic skies, sunbeams breaking through clouds, and silhouetted pine trees in the foreground.

The Reconstructionist Network

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Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement

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Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis

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Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues

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Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives

Read & Rite

One-stop shop for progressive Jewish books and ritual objects

Havaya Summer Programs

Overnight summer camp and teen Israel experience

Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

Professional association of Reconstructionist rabbis

Placement Office

Placement resources for rabbis and congregations

Reconstructionist Educators of North America

Professional group for people leading schools in Reconstructionist congregations

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The Reconstructionist Network

Reconstructing Judaism logo
A plain white background.
A blank white image with no visible elements or details.

Read & Rite

One-stop shop for progressive Jewish books and ritual objects

Placement Office

Placement resources for rabbis and congregations

Havaya Summer Programs

Overnight summer camp and teen Israel experience

Reconstructionist Educators of North America

Professional group for people leading schools in Reconstructionist congregations

Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

Professional association of Reconstructionist rabbis