Category: Peace

  • Shabbat Shalom

    Hashkiveinu is the second prayer we utter after the Shema, asking the Divine for protection through the darkness of the night and our vulnerability as we sleep.

    This rendition is sung by Cantor Magda Fishman.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom

    This Shabbat coincides with Veteran’s Day.

    Shalom Aleichem seems a particularly appropriate prayer. The Barcelona Gipsy Klezmer Orchestra combines several influences from their home in Spain and Ashkenaz.  May the music lift our hearts to welcome Shabbat.

    Wishing everyone Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom

    The prayer, performed by Andrea Bocelli and Ilaria Della Bidia, is a wonderful way to bring in this Shabbat.  With all of the turmoil and challenges to peace here, Israel, and around the world, the Prayer is our hope for this Shabbat.

    I pray you’ll be our eyes
    And watch us where we go
    And help us to be wise
    In times when we don’t know

    Let this be our prayer
    When we lose our way
    Lead us to a place
    Guide us with your grace
    To a place where we’ll be safe.

    I pray we’ll find your light
    I pray we’ll find your light

    And hold it in our hearts
    And hold it in our hearts

    When stars go out each night
    When the stars go out each night

    Remind us where you are.

    Let this be our prayer
    Let this be our prayer

    When shadows fill our day
    When shadows fill our day

    Lead us to a place

    Guide us with your grace

    To a place where we’ll be safe.

    A world where pain and
    sorrow will be ended
    And every heart that’s
    broken will be mended
    And we’ll remember we
    are all God’s children
    Reaching out to touch you
    Reaching to the sky.

    We ask that life be kind

    We ask that life be kind

    And watch us from above
    And watch us from above

    We hope each soul will find
    We hope each soul will find

    Another soul to love
    Another soul to love.

    Let this be our prayer
    Let this be our prayer

    Just like every child.
    Just like every child.

    Needs to find a place
    Guide us with your grace.
    With your grace
    Give us faith so we’ll be safe

    Needs to find a place

    Guide us with your grace.
    Give us faith so we’ll be safe

  • Shabbat Shalom 5783

    This coming year, may each of us strive to be just a little better- loving and kinder- to each other and to ourselves.

    This beautiful message from Central Synagogue in New York is a wonderful way to welcome Shabbat

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom

    This special Shabbat, between Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur, is Shabbat Shuva, the Shabbat of Repentance & Return.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom and L’Shana Tova

    Sometimes making it through a year is heroic.  The struggles of day-to-day life, frightening world crises, fraught personal relationships, and even making a living presented overwhelming challenges this the past y.ear

    For me, Leonard Cohen’s Halleluyah is an anthem speaking to triumph, but like most hard-fought battles, the victorious also depart the field scarred and sometimes bloody.  Victory is bittersweet and comes at the cost of leaving us forever changed.

    As we reflect on the past year, there were moments of accomplishment and hardship.  As we seek the forgiveness of others, as our tradition requires, we must remember to forgive ourselves.  We often fell short of the mark and were less than our best selves.  Understanding that and seeking to do better are the first steps to returning to a place where the Days of Awe become an opportunity to start afresh.  Forgiveness that admits our shortcomings and comforts us while encouraging us to do better gives us the strength and vision to make the new year one of hope and possibilities.

    L’Shanah Tova Tikateivu, May you be inscribed in the book of life.

    Shabbat Shalom

    For this final Shabbat of Elul, I share Leonard Cohen’s Halleluyah, among the most moving and beautiful song poems ever written.  This version is in Hebrew.

  • Shabbat Shalom

    Billy Preston sings My Sweet Lord as we welcome the third Shabbat of Elul

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom

    Imagine- Thoughts for Elul

    Cold Play and Emmanuel Kelly share Lennon’s timeless song to welcome this Shabbat of Elul- an awe-inspiring performance.

    Shabbat Shalom