Pregnancy Loss

If you or someone you love has been affected by pregnancy loss, please know that you are not alone and we are here for you. CBE is committed to offering meaningful pathways for healing from loss at any stage of pregnancy. See below for resources and readings.

How to receive support:

• Chesed care team — Our volunteer community is standing by to deliver a care package, set up a meal train, or help with other needs. Contact chesed@cbebk.org
• Clergy team — If you would like to receive support from a member of our clergy team, contact clergy@cbebk.org
• Pregnancy Loss Small Group — Our small group offers a chance for those who have experienced pregnancy loss at any stage, and at any point in their lives, to find connection and healing in community. Sign up here or contact jgitlin@cbebk.org for information
• Ritual or shiva — To engage our help in arranging a ritual to honor pregnancy loss, please reach out to lisbeth.kaiser@gmail.com and nemetz.nicole@gmail.com

How to offer support:

• Volunteer with Chesed — chesed@cbebk.org
• Sign up to show up for a pregnancy loss ritual — lisbeth.kaiser@gmail.com and nemetz.nicole@gmail.com
• Reach out and offer support directly
  • Express sympathy and care; let them know you are there for them
  • Check in regularly and also be understanding if they aren’t able to respond
  • Offer specific help – send meals, groceries, help run errands, or help with any other children
  • If they are a CBE member, tell them about our support options above and offer to help coordinate

How to learn more:

• Online: 
  • • NCJW Pregnancy Loss Support: pregnancyloss.org
    • Pregnancy After Loss Support: pregnancyafterlosssupport.org
    • Ending a Wanted Pregnancy Support Group: https://endingawantedpregnancy.com/private-support-group/

• Books 
  • • Tears of Sorrow, Seeds of Hope: A Jewish Spiritual Companion for Infertility and Pregnancy Loss by Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin
    • I Had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, A Movement by Jessica Zucker
    • The Worst Girl Gang Ever: A Survival Guide for Navigating Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss by Bex Gunn and Laura Buckingham

Readings for Support and Ritual

“Nothing is more whole than a broken heart.” 

–Rabbi Menachem Mendel

A woman who has miscarried needs your continued care and support after the miscarriage in the same way that a woman who has just given birth does. The hormonal changes that her body is going through are much the same as if she had had a full-term pregnancy and lost the child, so she is likely to need help in making the transition to no longer being a parent.

–Ina May Gaskin, Spiritual Midwifery

God, we are weary and grieved. We were anticipating the birth of a child, but the promise of life was ended too soon. Our arms yearned to cradle new life, our mouths to sing soft lullabies. Our hearts ache from the emptiness and the silence. We are saddened and we are angry. We weep and we mourn. Weep with us, God, Creator of Life, for the life that could not be. 

Source of healing, help us to find healing among those who care for us and those for whom we care. Shelter us under wings of love and help us to stand up again for life even as we mourn our loss.

–Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin, Tears of Sorrow, Seeds of Hope

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי זוֹכֵר יְצוּרָיו לְחַיִּים ברַחֲמִים 

Barukh Atah Adonay, zokher y’tzurav l’khayim v’rakhamim.

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, whose compassion renews us unto life.
–From the High Holiday Amidah

–Harofei, Psalm 147