Trying to Conceive

The longing for children shaped the lives of our matriarchs, and it continues to bring joy and sorrow to the lives of many people today. Medical advances have helped with infertility. However, those undergoing treatment often suffer during the process and crave a spiritual element to counterbalance the arduous clinical procedures. 
 

Latest Rituals

A contemporary poem that addresses “the stain” of blood which, when trying to get pregnant, “becomes a sign of failure, of sadness, of emptiness, of death”

new moon in pink sky at sunrise

A brief prayer before undergoing in vitro fertilization

holding hands hospital bed

Personal blessing that God will hear our prayers to allow us to perform mitzvot

hands holding yellow zinnia

Affirmation of wedding blessings when a couple decides to have children

A Ritual for Deciding to Have Children

A prayer to be recited by a couple upon deciding to have children

holding hands

The author suggests adding an unlit candle to the Shabbat candlelabrum each week until the baby is born

unlit candle

Describes the practice of going to a mikveh (ritual bath) as it relates to the desire for conception

woman immersing under water

A prayer to be read by the partner of a woman being inseminated with donor sperm in the doctor’s office

two women with arms around each other from behind

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

Count On Telling Your Story: A Ritualwell In-Person Immersion

Join us for Count On Telling Your Story: A Ritualwell In-Person Immersion on Sunday, June 9th. Mix and mingle with old and new friends, enjoy delicious kosher-vegetarian food and engage in a variety of creative, thought-provoking sessions exploring rituals, writing, and art.

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The Reconstructionist Network