Starting a Family

In contemporary homes, starting a family is often a deliberate choice. The experience of pregnancy, the drama of giving birth, and the miracle of adoption are occasions for joy and wonder. These are also experiences that can be fraught with pain and struggle, reflecting the full spectrum of life and death. We offer prayers for those who are trying to conceive, prayers for pregnancy and childbirth, rituals for parents preparing to adopt, mourning ceremonies for miscarriages, blessings for those struggling with infertility, rituals to prepare for or acknowledge an abortion, and much more.

Latest Rituals

Due

“you will know a tidal surge / part marvel part mystery…”

parenting, pregnancy

a pregnant woman touches her belly, a dog lies sleeping at her feet

For Stillbirth and Infant Loss: Baby Naming and Goodbye Ritual

This powerful ritual is designed for parents who have faced infant loss.

infant loss, stillbirth

black ribbon

The First Time

“No words can describe it. / The first time I held her on my chest…”

grandmother, Shehekhiyanu

a new infant

Prayers for Decision Making Regarding Unused Embryos

Prayers for either discarding or donating frozen embryos one choose not to use

embryo, infertility

light brown hands cupping light pink petals

Until We Held You: Poem for a New Baby

“We have been waiting for you”

baby naming, childbirth, love

closeup of newborn white baby held by adult white hands

A Blessing for Adoption

“May God make you like our adopted ancestors”

adoption, blessing

brown-skinned man and woman sitting in a wheat field with sun shining, holding cute toddler between them

The Key: A Ritual for Perinatal Loss

Ritual to acknowledge grief related to infertility or perinatal loss

grief, infertility, loss of a child

close up of white woman wearing white t-shirt with a few colorful horizontal stripes. she's wearing a necklace with a key hanging on it, and she's holding the key with two fingers. she has rings on her pointer and middle fingers.

Prayer for a Mother of a Newborn in the NICU

“Sarah waited, far too long. / So what’s a few more days, right?”

childbirth, pregnancy, premature

close up of light-skinned adult hand holding hand of small baby

A Short Prayer for Justice

“We know what to do: / Agitate, organize, shout”

abortion, justice, racial justice, social justice

Group of women protesting, one with a megaphone, raising fists with determination and signs in Arabic.

After Roe: A Havdalah Ritual for Losing Abortion Access

Ritual to acknowledge loss of abortion access

abortion, America, feminism, gender, social justice

Silhouette of a person blowing out a candle against a vivid blue background.