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

“And cry to Heaven—bring them home/No soul should ever weep alone…”
“It could have been anyone standing there…”
“May we remember that we have not come onto this earth to foment hate, anger, and division…”
Rabbi Geela Rayzel Raphael wrote this prayer of comfort after Oct. 7, 2023.
“May there never be another October 7th because men in high places, with loud voices, did not hear, did not listen…”
“The world owed them better. / The world owed them more.”
“Hoshiah na, / please save me from my hardened heart…”
“We are here, / in the Garden, / knocking on Your gates.”
“When I pray for peace, help me stay raw…”

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