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Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, can be a challenging subject for a lot of people. For some, it is a chance to make resolutions, accept the past, and commit to a better future. But for those struggling with mental illness, this process of self-criticism and introspection can be devastating to their mental health. Therefore, we all must do our best to cultivate self-acceptance and, above all, self-forgiveness, in a healthy and collected manner.
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Vidui: Remembering You’re HumanJust as the Vidui serves as a catch-all for misdeeds we might have done that we might not even have been aware of, we should recognize there are plenty of good deeds we performed as well without realizing it. We are not our sins, we are not our mistakes, we are not our diagnosis.
The Rule of Threes: A Jewish Way to Say You’re SorryThe High Holidays are a season of forgiveness—a time dedicated to improving ourselves and making amends with God and the people we’ve wronged in the past year. Some might see this exercise as trite, but sometimes we need that external push to actually do it. But how?
The Blue Dove Foundation •11 Views•September 22, 2025•Yom Kippur,Mental Health,High Holidays,Forgiveness,Rosh Hashanah,Wellness
U’neTanah Tokef and Suicidal IdeationWho in good time and who by an untimely death. To die by suicide is an inherently untimely death, and it can certainly feel sealed for people struggling with it. But like any other death or negative change in circumstance listed in this prayer, that decree can be averted.
The Blue Dove Foundation •13 Views•September 22, 2025•Unetaneh Tokef,High Holidays,Yom Kippur,Rosh Hashanah,Mental Health,Suicide,Wellness
Making Peace with Our StrugglesOn Yom Kippur, when we stare our wrongdoings in the face, guilt and shame can overwhelm and push us into an emotional pit where we feel like there is no way out. We must recognize, however, the Jewish approach to reflecting on wrongdoings is not to despair. We hold onto hope.
The Blue Dove Foundation •42 Views•September 8, 2025•Health,Changes,Yom Kippur,Mental Health,Hope,Teshuva,Wellness,Healing,Growth
Meditation, Immersion, and Emergence: A High Holidays Mikveh Immersion MeditationThe Mikveh is an ancient Jewish practice that provides an incredibly powerful way to experience a transformation of the mind body and soul. It is a long standing tradition that people immerse in Mikva’ot before the High Holidays to spiritually prepare for the days ahead.
The Blue Dove Foundation •93 Views•August 27, 2025•High Holidays,Rosh Hashanah,Meditation,Yom Kippur,Wellness,Mikveh,Mental Health
The Nature of Change: A Guided Meditation for TashlichThe Tashlich ritual is an expression of repentance, acceptance and forgiveness for how we mistreated others. But we must also forgive ourselves for the ways we mistreated ourselves, releasing those misdeeds and letting them flow down the river.
Shofars and Semicolons: Struggling with Suicidal Ideation on the High HolidaysFor people struggling with suicidal ideation, or went through a traumatic experience that left them emotionally drained — entering the synagogue and facing the prospect of a new year can be overwhelming. In those moments that feel daunting, we need to pause and hear the Shofar.
Being Written for LifeWe look back at pages we have embossed with our deeds and misdeeds, active and passive. And we ask G-d to help us write a better page next year. For G-d to help us cope with all the hardships and blessings that come our way: flood, famine, plague, restlessness.
The Blue Dove Foundation •66 Views•August 27, 2025•Health,Yom Kippur,Wellness,Mental Health,Liturgy,Love,Rosh Hashanah
High Holiday Liturgy Viewed Through the Lens of DepressionConsider the liturgy of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: We are commanded to “choose life.” Teshuva, Tefilla and Tzedakah, repentance, prayer and charity, are your ticket to the Book of Life for another year. But what if that depresses you, rather than excites you?
The Blue Dove Foundation •98 Views•August 27, 2025•Wellness,Love,Community,Rosh Hashanah,Mental Health
Yom Kippur and Tu B’Av: When Love is the Only AnswerOn the surface, this all seems like a strange pairing of holidays. The two traditions and atmosphere of the two could not be more different. However, if you consider the fact that Tu B’Av follows the emotionally strenuous holiday of Tisha B’Av, there is truly significant overlap.
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