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

“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
“may the day arrive / when every life is a treasure…”
green grass, trees and a stream
“There is a war going on, / with battle aims that are different…”
a person walks in a lit field
“I cannot find the words / I seek…”
a child sleeping
This new poem uses the imagery of water through a faucet to capture the feeling of waiting for the captives to be released.
Water droplet splashing on a reflective surface, creating concentric ripples with another droplet above.
“Try not to think / of the children who are not getting their baths, / who are not getting their parents.”
person wearing brown tallit silhouetted against the sunset
“There is a line / drawn by darkness, emboldened by Evil, itself…”
sunshine through a giant cloud illuminating the sky
“We are looking for you. / We will not let you go.”
A woman's silhouette in the window

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

Support Ritualwell’s free offerings and events and receive a weekly guide with prompts and practices for each week of the Omer.

Ritualwell is here for you! Join us for community eventsand creative inspiration to do this spiritual work. 

Get the latest from Ritualwell

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

The Reconstructionist Network