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Starting a Family

In contemporary homes, starting a family is often a deliberate choice.  The decision to bring children into your life — whether through conception, insemination, or adoption — is a joyous moment.  For some this process may be very quick.  For others the process can be financially or emotionally taxing.  We do well to pause, taking note of how enormous an occasion this is.

Photo by Jordan Cassway

Prayer for an Expanding Family

By Rabbi Eleanor Steinman | Prayer

Just as God hear the prayers of our matriarchs, so too may God hear our prayers. [more]

Found In: Rosh Hashanah, Starting a Family

Tags: adoption, conception

The Story of Moses: An Adoption Hagadah

By Michele Kriegman | Complete Ceremony

A Passover [more]

Found In: Starting a Family, Theme Seders

Tags: adoption

Havdalah Ritual for a Failed Adoption

By Janet Ruth Falon | Complete Ceremony

While happily the majority of adoptions work out as planned, some do not. This havdalah ceremony marks such a loss. [more]

Found In: Starting a Family

Tags: adoption, havdalah

Prayer for an Adopted Child

By Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso | Prayer

A prayer for the gift of an adopted child in which the baby is welcomed, the parents pledge to create a good and Jewish life for the child and ask God's blessings for the baby's health and well-being. [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals, Fertility, Pregnancy & Adoption, Starting a Family, Welcoming & Raising Children

Application Day

By Rabba Nehama Benmosche | Poem

[more]

Found In: Starting a Family

Tags: adoption

As at the Creation of Eve

By Tikva Frymer-Kensky, z"l | Prayer

A prayer that may be said before a medical exam for those undergoing fertility treatment/counseling [more]

Found In: Starting a Family

Tags: conception

Prayers to be Said Before a Procedure, Insemination, and After a Procedure

By Rabbi Diane Cohen | Prayer

Biblical verses used to form three prayers "to be said before a procedure", "Verses to be said upon insemination" and "Verses to be recited upon arising from a procedure." [more]

Found In: Starting a Family, Infertility

Tags: conception

A Ritual for Deciding to Have Children

Ritual Component

Affirmation of wedding blessings when a couple decides to have children. [more]

Found In: Starting a Family

Tags: conception

A Kavanah for Conception

By Gershon Ellison | Prayer

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

Found In: Starting a Family

Tags: conception, tzedakah

Ritual for Conception

Ritual Component

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

Found In: Friday Evening, Starting a Family

Tags: candle lighting, conception