Mourning & Bereavement

Traditional Jewish mourning and bereavement practices are designed to help us bear our grief. But sometimes we need something more: a poem that captures our imagination, a creative ritual that addresses the particularity of our grief, a song that speaks to our heart. May you find a measure of comfort in your time of need.

Latest Rituals

A poem to mourn the losses of life to AIDS
“12 months of mourning, / Travelling, conjoined, / On our continuing / Separate ways.”
“Any ‘I love you’ / Like water, uncontained / Can have no form.”
“what I really need to work on is letting in”
“For the first time / I will miss / The Hanukkah lights”
“Teach us to spin apart the light in this dark.”
“because you breathed / because you dreamed”
“i am the rock that burst open”
“We are here / To find the cracks / At the edges of possibilities”
“We can envision this world and beyond as havens of peace”

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