This piece was originally published at Ritualwell.org.
In partnership with the podcast Hashivenu: Jewish teachings on resilience, created by Rabbi Deborah Waxman, we are highlighting rituals that have sustained the Jewish people throughout history. The fifth episode addresses social activism. Below are 18 rituals which address, inspire, and motivate social activism, as recommended by Ritualwell.
1. 8 Nights, 8 Actions
A Hanukkah dedicated to the spirit of resistance and the movement to end police violence more
2. A Blessing for Interfaith Encounter
A blessing for meeting across differences and the story behind its creation. more
3. Amidah for Peace, Justice, and Immigration
Amidah in honor of immigrants. more
4. #BlackLivesMatter Haggadah Supplement
A haggadah supplement focusing on the theme of #BlackLivesMatter and the experiences of Jews of color. more
5. Bringing Light to the Darkness
Additional Hanukkah blessings for each night to encourage us to transform the darkness of the year into light more
6. The Climate Ribbon: A DIY Kit for Faith Communities
The Climate Ribbon ritual creates a space to express our fears and hopes in response to the climate crisis more
7. El Maley Rakhamim for Victims of Gun Violence
Our neighborhood has lost dozens and dozens of community members and beloveds, to gun violence in just the last few years, and we are not alone more
8. El Maley Rakhamim for Victims of Racial Violence
The El Maley Rakhamim prayer reconstructed to honor the lives lost to racial violence more
9. Eco-Kashrut Prayer
A kavannah before eating to strive to make just choices more
10. Hashkiveinu for Standing Rock
A Hashkivenu prayer in solidarity with Native peoples defending Standing Rock more
11. Human Rights Shabbat: Campaign to End Mass Incarceration
But we must recall the innate human dignity of every person, every prisoner, and recognize their need for healing, too. T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights supports communities in marking… more
12. If Not Now: A Prayer for Women
A poem on taking a stand, inspired by the model of Shifra and Puah. more
13. Kindling the Lights of Justice
Prayer for Hanukkah designed for immigration advocacy, but can be applied across the social justice world.more
14. Prayer for Inclusion of People with Disabilities
A prayer to be said by individuals working toward making Jewish communities more inclusive for people with disabilities. more
15. Prayer for our Nation
A prayer for the new U.S. president that asks for love and justice to trump hate. more
16. Prayer for Self-Care During the Struggle
“If my knees begin to buckle, may I take them out for a walk or dance.” more
17. A Pre-March Dip
A mikveh ritual to prepare oneself for a march for justice. more
18. Yizkor: Remembering Victims of Sexual Assault
Our most holy texts make it clear that we may not stand idly by while violence is perpetrated in our midst. Our most holy texts make it clear that we may not stand idly by while violence is… more
