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

“May the One who makes peace in the heavens / Bring peace to us, to our children, / To our communities, And to this broken world.”
“Your story is not over; your life is larger than this. / We’re listening.”
“bullets have shattered / the land of make believe…”
“The world is a narrow bridge, we sing in response /  But we are not afraid.” 
“may we atone our sins / and learn to embrace life, and each other, once again…”
“When I open my mouth no sound comes out..”
“May the souls so callously severed from their bodies find shelter, refuge, in the hidden space beneath Your wings.”
This poem is dedicated to Eden Yerushalmi & Carmel Gat.
This version of the ‘Unetaneh Tokef’ prayer refers to the atrocities that took place on Oct. 7.
​Rabbi Maurice Harris, Associate Director for Thriving Communities and Israel Affairs Specialist, shares a powerful message for this moment.

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

 Ready to go deeper? Join our 4-week Soulwork series—register by Monday at noon and receive a free Malachim Angel Cards deck!

Great for devoted readers, seasoned writers and those interested in storytelling!

Get the latest from Ritualwell

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

The Reconstructionist Network