Deciding to end a pregnancy is difficult. Regardless of the circumstances, it is a complex loss—one that needs to be acknowledged. Ritual can help us cope with—and make sense of—our emotional response to this arduous experience.
Bringing a sense of kedushah to the abortion operating table
A ceremony that a woman who has had an abortion can perform with a group of women. This ceremony uses the symbols of tashlich (casting out) and mikveh; the woman mourns the loss, renews herself, and attempts to bring closure to the abortion.
A ceremony that a pregnant woman or couple can perform with a close group of friends or family after the decision to have a therapeutic abortion has been made
Prayer to be recited when pregnancy must be ended therapeutically
Discover how Jewish folklore and personal memory can spark new poetry—join this creative immersion with poet Susan Comninos.
Give voice to your own stories through the timeless power of myth and writing.
Subscribe for the latest rituals, online learning opportunities, and unique Judaica finds from our store.