We need to pause and take a breath.
Let Shabbat give us time to breathe.
There will be time to organize our thoughts, prepare, and respond to the reality of the elections. There is much to do.
But for now, it is Shabbat. Take the time to breathe.
Shabbat Shalom
Some of you will remember the Youngbloods’ song Get Together.
It is a prayer for ourselves and our world as we welcome Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom
Naomi Shemer is the poet who created Al Kol Eleh, All These Things, a bittersweet and timely song. As Yonina shares her music, let us continue to pray for the hostages to come home and for peace.
Here we are, Celebrating Simchat Torah and welcoming Shabbat, but even this moment of joy is a challenge. We pray for the hostages to be returned and for peace.
Peri Smilow shares Debbie Friedman’s Those Who Sow based in Psalm 126.
Shabbat Shalom
This Shabbat is different. The feelings of vulnerability evoked by Sukkot underscore October Rain. Shulem Lemmer shares his rendition here.
In these times, when we’re focused on not drowning in the hurricane of hatred and antisemitism, our personal feelings often take a backseat. Since that dreadful day in October, our hearts and minds have been solely focused on our land and people. From the moment I heard this song, I felt compelled to cover it, as it conveyed so much of what we’ve struggled to express in recent months. (continued below).
Shabbat Shalom
The original “October Rain” was deemed “too political” for the world stage, leading to the release of a more neutral version, “Hurricane.” I am sharing “October Rain” in its raw, authentic form to voice our nation’s true sentiments. May the floods dry up with the warm sunshine of Moshiach’s arrival!
Lyrics: Writers of the history Stand with me Look into my eyes and see People go away but never say goodbye Someone stole the moon tonight Took my light Everything is black and white Who’s the fool who told you boys don’t cry? Hours and hours and flowers Life is no game for the cowards Why does the time go wild Every day I’m losing my mind Holding on in this mysterious ride Dancing in the storm We got nothing to hide Take me home And leave the world behind And I promise you that never again I’m still wet from this October rain October rain Living in a fantasy Ecstasy Everything is meant to be We shall pass but love will never die Hours and hours and flowers Life is no game for the cowards Why does the time go wild Every day I’m losing my mind Holding on in this mysterious ride Dancing in the storm We got nothing to hide Take me home And leave the world behind And I promise you that never again I’m still wet from this October rain October rain October rain
לא צריך מילים גדולות רק תפילות אפילו כשקשה לראות תמיד אתה משאיר לי אור אחד קטן
Shabbat Shuva, the Shabbat of Return, is the Shabbat between Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur.
Nesshama Carelbach’s beautiful rendition of her father’s song is a wonderful way to welcome us to this special time.
Close your eyes and become a part of this meditative experience.
G’mar chatima tova, May you have a good seal- May it be a year of health and blessing.
During Elul, we include Psalm 27 in our prayers. Line 4 is most familiar, performed by the incomparable Chava Mirel and translated by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat:
Only one thing do I ask of You, Yah:
Just this alone do I seek, I want to be at home with you, Yah,
All the days of my life.
I want to delight in seeing You.
Seeing You when I come to visit You in Your temple.
Shabbat Shalom
In response to the 1973 Yom Kippur War and inspired by the Beatles, Let It Be, Naomi Shemer created Lu Yehi, Let it be.
This Shabbat, we continue to pray for the hostages to come home, and for the bloodshed to stop.
Shabbat Shalom
As we prepare to enter Shabbat, I pray for the Peace of Jerusalem,
A place and time where we can live together, honoring the humanity in all of us.
Thank you Cantor Rachel Brook for this moving rendition of our prayer.
Shabbat Shalom
Bring them Home
We ache for the day when our people are returned home when all can be held in the arms of loving family. Let us work for this day, let us pray for this day. Peace cannot come soon enough.
Josh Groban shares his gift with us, sending our prayers heavenward.
Shabbat Shalom
#BringThemHome
