Communal Tragedy

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

This Moment, Oh This Moment

“For now, all that we have / is to be together in this brokenness…”

prayer, Shekhinah, war

A person walks alone on a sun-dappled road surrounded by tall, dense trees.

Prayer in Times of Uncertainty

“Fill each of us with Your Holy Presence and with the light of hope…”

God, hope, prayer, uncertainty

Hands forming a heart shape framing the sun at sunset in a scenic, open field with silhouetted trees.

6 Thirteen | A Prayer for A Vigilant Voice Against Violence

A rocket launches into the sky near blooming pink flowers on cracked ground under a cloudy sky.

To The Captives

“And cry to Heaven—bring them home/No soul should ever weep alone…”

captives, hostages, Israel

A tall, narrow rock stands in a dry, rocky desert landscape under a clear blue sky.

First

“It could have been anyone standing there…”

Black and white photo of hands gently holding a single daisy flower against a dark background.

Prayer for a Gathering to Discuss and Combat Antisemitism

“May we remember that we have not come onto this earth to foment hate, anger, and division…”

antisemitism, community

A spiral collage of diverse faces of people of all ages and backgrounds, arranged in a circular pattern.

Soul Guiding Prayer

Rabbi Geela Rayzel Raphael wrote this prayer of comfort after Oct. 7, 2023.

comfort, God, grief, Israel, mourning, Oct 7, Shekhinah, soul

A white rosebud covered in water droplets against a dark green blurred background.

Oct 7th Chayalot

“May there never be another October 7th because men in high places, with loud voices, did not hear, did not listen…”

Israel, Oct. 7th, women's rights

Stone stairway leading up a dry, rocky hill to a small building under a clear blue sky.

Time (or Children of War)

“The world owed them better. / The world owed them more.”

children, grief, peace, war

A single red poppy growing beside a railway track, surrounded by small rocks and green foliage.

Ana Adonai

“Hoshiah na, / please save me from my hardened heart…”

God, Israel, peace, prayer, war

Red heart carved into a rough, textured tree bark with cracks and some patches of green moss.