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

May the bright weekly Shabbos lights, / dispel darkness of the Jewish global crisis…”
Two lit candles, a goblet, and challah bread on a table with a teal background and glowing lights.
“May the windows of our prayers / move us into the world of vision…”
a giant sunflower looms against the blue sky
“And I wish I had special wipers / that could wipe away the tears, the pain, the anger…”
a car driving at dusk
“Keep faith / with the brightness / of all things good…”
a person stands looking into the light
“The community I loved, / in the Diaspora, / my home…” is being torn apart by this war.
A rocky cliff overlooks a vast, dry desert landscape under a hazy sky.
“Bring peace to the anger in the world…”
rocks on the ocean
“Stop our hearts from breaking / put the broken pieces together again.”
a leaf that looks like a broken heart
“It’s easy to see that / HaShem is asking for a lot”.
Sea of Galilee
“for us, / for the children, /  and for the children’s children…”
children in silhouette playing on the rocks

The Reconstructionist Network

Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement

Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis

Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues

Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives

Join us for a special event and receive a new booklet of readings and creative prompts to guide you through the Festival of Lights.

Bring your candles, your curiosity, your voice, and your yearning. 

Get the latest from Ritualwell

Subscribe for the latest rituals, online learning opportunities, and unique Judaica finds from our store.

The Reconstructionist Network