Coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic has shaken our lives. Many of us have experienced loss of loved ones, loss of income, illness, fear, isolation, frustration, fatigue. Some of us have put our lives at risk on the front lines as doctors and nurses, grocery workers, delivery workers, and other places of vulnerability. All of us are trying to cope and adapt to a new reality. We all suffer in different ways, and no one’s suffering is more important than anyone else’s. We are in this together. And we can help each other. Below are blessings, prayers, poems and rituals written during the pandemic: from graduation and b’nei mitzvah ceremonies to prayers for health care workers to blessings for handwashing. These resources offer healing, hope, meaning, structure, gratitude and joy during this fragile moment.

Latest Rituals

The Pandemic Yizkor

“This is the yahrzeit of the Life we lived before”

pandemic, yahrzeit, yizkor

young man in black t-shirt and pants shown from behind standing at curtained window, parting the curtain and looking outside. Curtain is a gauzy white and there is a black area to the right, creating a stark white and black effect to the scene.

Blessing for Zoom

“Who makes it possible for us to see those we love”

blessing, pandemic, zoom

brown skinned woman with dark hair sitting at desk looking at computer screen where an array of faces are shown as on a Zoom screen

Blessings for Spending the Holidays Apart from Community

Acknowledging the loneliness of being unable to pray in community

person in red hoodie walking through field of tall wheat looking out to sunset in the distance

Why Bother to Pray?

“We walk in fear, in doubt, in uncertainty, / so why do we even bother to pray?”

compassion, pandemic, war

Person in a warm brown sweater gesturing with hands against a plain, muted background.

The Four Children of the (Continued) Pandemic

“The last three years have not been easy, even for the children who are acting like they have been”

covid, four children, pandemic, seder

Four children in colorful rain boots stand on a muddy path, wearing cozy winter jackets.

Let No Soul Be Forgotten: Vigil Prayer Marking Two Years of COVID

“May the light of each soul shine on”

covid, mourning

People holding lit candles at a nighttime vigil or gathering.

To the God of Change

“God of change, / We are afraid to look straight into Your face”

Silhouette of a person standing against a sunset over mountains, with clouds in the sky.

Blessings of the Trees in a Covid Year

“We struggle to rejoice in budding trees”

covid, tree, tu bi'shevat seder

Silhouette of a person standing under a tree against a colorful sunset sky.

PTSD in a Time of Omicron

“No. / Not this. / Not again.”

Person wearing a denim jacket and black mask, standing against a dark wooden background, looking to the side.

Entering Year Three

Entering year three of the COVID-19 pandemic

covid, grief, mourning

Person wearing a face mask tending to plants in a garden near a stone wall.