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Healing from Illness

Person lying on a bed in a dimly lit room, facing a window with sheer curtains.

While there are many traditional Jewish prayers for healing, the feminist movement empowered first women and then men and women to create many more prayers and ceremonies which spoke to the specific situations in which they found themselves. The complexity of modern medicine has added to this need for prayers for medical tests, prayers before surgery, prayers after chemotherapy and for each chemo session, etc. In addition, several writers on Ritualwell have created ceremonies to celebrate an important anniversary in relationship to their disease. 

 

Latest Rituals

“Help us to find holiness in this time”

Person resting in a hospital bed, with an IV drip attached and medical equipment nearby.

“I see the words of my prayers / wrap themselves around you”

Healthcare professional performing an ultrasound on a patients arm in a medical setting.

“There is nothing like death / To bring a clarity to vision.”

Silhouette of a person with raised hands against a sunset over the ocean.

“Bless and heal the named and unnamed ones”

A person stands silhouetted against a bright sunset sky with palms, gazing upwards with hands in a prayer position.

Poem on parenting new baby struggling to feed 

Adult hand gently holding a babys hand, both resting on a soft, patterned blanket.

“Life returns itself to Life.”

Two people holding hands, one in a blue top and the other in a white shirt with a small pattern.

“There were so many lonely hours …”

Person in hospital bed, wearing glasses and a gown, holding a cup with a thoughtful expression.

“Who by chemo and who radiation?”

Woman in a black dress sitting on a rock, gazing at the sea during sunset.

“I have one of you next to me, at any time and step, sisters”

Three women sitting together on a bed, leaning in for a comforting embrace in a softly lit room.

Ritual haircut ceremony for someone undergoing chemotherapy

A person getting a haircut outdoors, surrounded by a small seated audience and festive string lights.

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

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The Reconstructionist Network