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Starting a Family

A happy family of three smiling at the camera, with a child in the center between two adults.
In contemporary homes, starting a family is often a deliberate choice. The experience of pregnancy, the drama of giving birth, and the miracle of adoption are occasions for joy and wonder. These are also experiences that can be fraught with pain and struggle, reflecting the full spectrum of life and death. We offer prayers for those who are trying to conceive, prayers for pregnancy and childbirth, rituals for parents preparing to adopt, mourning ceremonies for miscarriages, blessings for those struggling with infertility, rituals to prepare for or acknowledge an abortion, and much more. 

Latest Rituals

“you will know a tidal surge / part marvel part mystery…”
a pregnant woman touches her belly, a dog lies sleeping at her feet
This powerful ritual is designed for parents who have faced infant loss.
black ribbon
“No words can describe it. / The first time I held her on my chest…”
a new infant
Prayers for either discarding or donating frozen embryos one choose not to use
light brown hands cupping light pink petals
“We have been waiting for you”
closeup of newborn white baby held by adult white hands
“May God make you like our adopted ancestors”
brown-skinned man and woman sitting in a wheat field with sun shining, holding cute toddler between them
Ritual to acknowledge grief related to infertility or perinatal loss
close up of white woman wearing white t-shirt with a few colorful horizontal stripes. she's wearing a necklace with a key hanging on it, and she's holding the key with two fingers. she has rings on her pointer and middle fingers.
“Sarah waited, far too long. / So what’s a few more days, right?”
close up of light-skinned adult hand holding hand of small baby
“We know what to do: / Agitate, organize, shout”
Group of women protesting, one with a megaphone, raising fists with determination and signs in Arabic.
Ritual to acknowledge loss of abortion access
Silhouette of a person blowing out a candle against a vivid blue background.

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