Hard Times

A person comforts another who is upset, sitting closely together outdoors.

Hard times take many forms: the loss of a job or other economic hardship; the devastation of a flood or other natural disaster; the horror of violent assault. Just getting out of bed can be an act of great courage at times like these. Whisper a prayer for yourself, or say one for your friend, community, or the world. Hope will find you. 
 

Latest Rituals

From sea to shining sea, each one meant to be // blessed, possessed, with life and liberty // But between the premise, the promise, and reality // there exists an abyss of inequality
a barbed wire fence stands in front of a torn American flag waving against a gray sky
Democracy was like weather // on those rare days when it’s so // right, so not-too-anything, // its goes unnoticed.
A torn yellow patch reveals a pair of eyes peeking through a muted green painted surface.
Small acts that counteract the sadness and despair // Rituals that contain the pain
A group of pomegranates with pink and green skin on a white textured surface in sunlight.
When hope is crushed, // Is it like clods of earth ground to mud, sticking in foulness to my boots as I walk?
A white sculpture of two figures embracing, forming the trunk of a tree with branches at the top.
“God who weeps with us all, / hold my aching heart…”
A white rosebud covered in water droplets against a dark green blurred background.
These ritual ideas will help anyone saying goodbye to a car-especially after an accident.
Person drives a car through a scenic mountain area with trees and cliffs visible through the windshield.
“When my grandfather died, his body swelled again / fluid filled him, drowning him from inside.”
a pair of glasses sit on an open book
“Turn and stretch yourself towards your fellow creatures, /animal or human…”
person sitting alone against a world head folded into their knees
“For the length of a medical visit my imagination roamed the wreckage of another’s mind and hers, mine…” 
silver stethoscpe
“When my cold dead hand brushed against Aaron’s collar,/his soul purred with a satisfied hymn of approval…”
closeup of a striped cat's face

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

Get the latest from Ritualwell

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

The Reconstructionist Network