Starting a Family

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

Prayer for a Mother of a Newborn in the NICU

“Sarah waited, far too long. / So what’s a few more days, right?”
  • by Adva Chattler
childbirth, pregnancy, premature
close up of light-skinned adult hand holding hand of small baby

A Short Prayer for Justice

“We know what to do: / Agitate, organize, shout”
  • by Trisha Arlin
abortion, justice, racial justice, social justice
A Short Prayer for Justice

After Roe: A Havdalah Ritual for Losing Abortion Access

Ritual to acknowledge loss of abortion access
  • by NCJW (National Council of Jewish Women)
abortion, America, feminism, gender, social justice
After Roe: A Havdalah Ritual for Losing Abortion Access

From Out of the Narrow Place: Prayer for Pro-Choice Rally

“Let us use our voices and our votes to cry out as loud as we can”
  • by Rabbi Deborah Waxman, PhD
abortion, feminism, justice, social justice
From Out of the Narrow Place: Prayer for Pro-Choice Rally

Confessional to the Women We’ve Failed

“For all of our failures to protect you, our daughters, mothers, partners and friends”
  • by Rabbi Zoe Klein Miles
abortion, al het, feminism, justice, social justice
Confessional to the Women We’ve Failed

Prayer for Our Power, Prayer for Our Choice

“Let today be the day we learn our power”
  • by Rabbi Stephanie Crawley
abortion, feminism, justice, social justice
Prayer for Our Power, Prayer for Our Choice

An Intention for Reproductive Justice to Reign Supreme

“And we will see to it that justice, the kind you fought for and died protecting, ever reigns”
  • by Devon Spier
abortion, feminism, justice, social justice
An Intention for Reproductive Justice to Reign Supreme

Infertility Speaks: An Imagined Support Group for Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Hannah

This is a script for an imagined infertility support group for Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Hannah
  • by Heather Paul
infertility
Infertility Speaks: An Imagined Support Group for Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Hannah

Prayer for Those Yearning for a Child

“We pray that those yearning to conceive, carry, foster or adopt will lead to a joyful outcome”

  • by Rabbi Ilana Zietman
baby naming, brit milah, family
Prayer for Those Yearning for a Child

Miscarriage Ritual with Friends: Reading Poems at the Mikveh

Poems to be read by friends surrounding the person who has miscarried before she immerses in the mikveh

  • by Rabbi Karen Bender
grief, infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy
Miscarriage Ritual with Friends: Reading Poems at the Mikveh

The Reconstructionist Network

Reconstructing Judaism logo

Reconstructionist Press

Shop our bookstore

Placement Office

Placement resources for rabbis and congregations

Havaya Summer Programs

Overnight summer camp and teen Israel experience

Reconstructionist Educators of North America

Professional group for people leading schools in Reconstructionist congregations

Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

Professional association of Reconstructionist rabbis

Join us!

Get the latest from Ritualwell

Subscribe for the latest rituals, online learning opportunities, and unique Judaica finds from our store. Plus special discounts for subscribers!