Jewish Relationships Initiative

Category: Prayer

  • Remembering the Rev. Jesse Jackson

    We mourn the death of Reverend Jesse Jackson. Jackson was a complex individual and a person of great accomplishment.

    In this world of purity litmus tests, cancel culture, and identity politics, it is easy for some to write off this icon of the civil rights movement, focusing on shortcomings and missteps rather than accomplishments.

    He helped move the arc of justice forward.  We can and should remember him for all the good he did, and hopefully find space in our hearts, even though he, like all of us, had flaws.  Jackson fostered a sense of pride and self-esteem in those who struggled in a society determined to deny them, as captured in his well-known saying, “I am Somebody.”  Jesse Jackson was Somebody.

    This is a moment to rededicate ourselves to the vision of respect and dignity for every person that Jackson preached.  The work is far from over, and it is ours to do.

    May his memory be for a blessing.

  • Shabbat Shalom

    Nava Tehila shares Mizmor Shir the psalm  (ps92) to welcome Shabbat.

    In these tumultuous times, the melodies help us to bring Shabbat Peace into our hearts.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom

    Bruce Springsteen’s Minneapolis is a battle cry for us to uphold the values we hold dear, the rule of law, the constitutional rights each of us is entitled to, and the dignity and respect for all people.

    As we enter Shabbat, we pray for each other and vow to fight for our precious values.  We must be better than this.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom

    One Day

    Mattisyahu’s song One Day is our hope – but it will take a our concerted effort to realized the dream of peace.  Shabbat is our taste of what it could be,  Now more than ever we must commmit to making our dream a reality.

  • Shabbat Shalom

    The Shvesters share their rendition of a poignant Yiddish song Vi Iz Dus Gesele, Where is the little street? A song of longing, nostalgia, and lost love.

    It is a way to help us perhaps enter this Shabbat.  Given the current turmoil, we seek a better time.  May we work to see that time come soon.

    Wishing you Shabbat Shalom.

  • Shabbat Shalom

    We share the prayer Shabbat Shalom,  A hope for peace and completeness.

    U2’s I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For is a longing for that prayer to be fulfilled.

    As we enter Shabbat, Playing For Change shares that yearning and the return of those who are not with them. And we include Ran Gvili.  We pray for peace and wholeness.

    #BringThemHome

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom

    As we enter the last Shabbat of 2025, I share Auld Lang Syne, the famous song of this time of year, written by Scottish composer and poet Robert Burns.  It asks us to remember that our humanity and our kindness are expressed in our relationships with others.  As we move into the new year, resolve to love others, treat them with dignity, respect, and compassion. May we find ways to forgive others and ourselves.

    Shabbat Shalom

     

  • The complexities of Menorah Lighting made simple

    People have been asking me how to light the Hanukkah Menorah, or Chanukiah. Should you light from left to right or right to left? And is that perspective from the person lighting the candles or from the window where others see it? Who knew it could be so complicated! Of course, this assumes we’ve already answered other questions: do we light all the candles every night or just one additional candle each night? Do we all light the same Menorah, or does each person get to light their own? Oy!

    But the answer is that we have our opinion on the proper way for it to be done, which is as follows:

    Facing the Menorah, we light the candle for the newest night, then light the rest of the lights. Our tradition says we should say the blessing and then do the thing for which we said the blessing immediately afterward. But because there are at least two blessings (three on the first night), many of us light while the blessings are in process.

    But the most important rule of all is that we participate in the Hanukkah celebration by lighting the candles.

    So, how do you light the Menorah?

    With intention!

    Chag Urim Sameach- Happy Festival of Lights

    Chag Chanukah Sameach, Happy Hanukkah

  • Chag Urim Sameach and Shabbat Shalom

    As we welcome Shabbat, Chanukah is just beyond.  The Shabbat Candles of Friday will be followed by the first lights of Chanukah on Sunday eve.

    Six13 shares a delightful medley blending Wicked music with great Chanukah lyrics.  Enjoy!

    Lean into the light this season and experience the warmth and glow of our tradition.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom

     

    Lecha Dodi likens Shabbat to the bride and is shared here by Muzika to the melody All of Me.

    Shabbat Shalom

    #BringThemHomeNow