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

After Roe: A Havdalah Ritual for Losing Abortion Access

Ritual to acknowledge loss of abortion access

abortion, America, feminism, gender, social justice

Silhouette of a person blowing out a candle against a vivid blue background.

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”

abortion, feminism, justice, social justice

Protesters near the U.S. Capitol holding signs supporting abortion rights on a sunny day.

Confessional to the Women We’ve Failed

“For all of our failures to protect you, our daughters, mothers, partners and friends”

abortion, al het, feminism, justice, social justice

Protesters outside a government building hold signs advocating for abortion access.

Prayer for Our Power, Prayer for Our Choice

“Let today be the day we learn our power”

abortion, feminism, justice, social justice

Protesters holding signs, including a prominent one saying Keep Abortion Legal, near the U.S. Capitol building.

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”

abortion, feminism, justice, social justice

A protest crowd holding signs, including one that reads STILL WE RISE, outside a modern building.

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

Three women with eyes closed, embracing closely in a serene, intimate moment against a light background.

Prayer for Those Yearning for a Child

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

baby naming, brit milah, family

Sunlight creating bokeh effect over dewy grass, with a warm and dreamy atmosphere.

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

grief, infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy

Person in an infinity pool, gazing out at the serene ocean view under a clear sky.

Fill Your Plate: An Earth-based Ritual of Transition to Post-childbearing Stage

Ritual for moving into new phase of life post-childbearing

children, earth, menopause

Pink rose petals, a pomegranate, small red berries, and purple flowers arranged on gravel in a circular pattern.

Olam Hazeh

Poem on parenting new baby struggling to feed

breastfeeding, illness

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