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Our God and God of our ancestors,
as we [prepare to] observe another Memorial Day in America, bless us with the gifts of memory and understanding, that we may appreciate the true meaning of this [that] day, an annual occasion to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives for our country and for their fellow citizens. |
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God of compassion,
let those who made the ultimate sacrifice, so that we may live in freedom, rest in peace, honored by a grateful nation. Remember their parents, partners, children and all the loved ones they left behind. Protect and comfort them; bring them peace. |
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God of justice,
remind us of the debt we owe to those who lost their lives in the defense of our nation, and to the families that go on without them. Fill the heart of every American with pride in those who served, and caring concern for their survivors. |
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May it be Your will
that every American be re-dedicated to the task of building a nation worthy of the sacrifices made by our honored dead. And may it be Your will, also, that all of us pursue a just peace throughout the world, so that no more lives are lost in armed conflict anywhere in Your creation. |
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And let us say Amen.
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Category: Prayer
Shabbat Shalom – May Peace be upon us
We welcome Shabbat with the song Shalom Aleichem, May Peace be upon you. When greeted this way, our response is Aleichem Shalom, And May Peace be upon you. The wish for peace unites all people of goodwill, and May it become our reality soon. This rendition by the Ma’ayan Band is a beautiful and pensive way to experience this song and feeling.
Shabbat Shalom
Shabbat Shalom
Arguably, the greatest group of all time was the Beatles.
John Lennon’s song, Revolution, has become yet again relevant. It’s a strange way to welcome Shabbat, perhaps, but after we’ve listened, let’s start singing songs of peace and work towards achieving that.
Shabbat Shalom
Shabbat Shalom
Cantor Azi Schwartz shares a ballad to his homeland that I share with you on this Shabbat.
“This song is dedicated to my country. Not the one that was here a week ago, the one we will rebuild when all this is over.” Hanan Ben Ari, October 16, 2023.
Shabbat Shalom
What does Commandedness look like today?
Shabbat Shalom
The incomparable Neshama Carlebach shares her beautiful rendition of Yehi Shalom.
Wishing everyone Shabbat Shalom, and may peace come soon to all.
Shabbat Shalom
Playing for Change has used music to share our humanity and the transcending power of music across cultures and nations.
Redemption Song is one of Bob Marley’s great gifts.
Freedom and Peace is our hope.
Bring them Home!
Shabbat Shalom
Bring Them Home Now
Bring Them Home
This is the mantra we need to keep repeating in every conversation. Our people must be brought home as the basis for any negotiation.
Many hostages have perished, all have endured unspeakable suffering, and we presume those still alive continue to be abused. This is the moral basis for the continued war on Hamas.
Although Hamas does not care about the killing and destruction inflicted on the Palestinian people and crudely, cynically positions the hostages and the Palestinians as bargaining chips in political maneuvering, we care about them and will continue to fight against the forces of barbarism until our people come home.
I pray for peace, and I pray for the end to the pain and suffering. Bring them home, and then we can take steps toward ending hostilities.
Shabbat Shalom
We welcome Shabbat as we experience the heartbreak of war.
May we find some peace this Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom
Shabbat Shalom
In our welcome of Shabbat, we share Ana BeKoach, a prayer asking we be released from the spiritual, emotional, and physical things that bind us. It invokes the power of God’s name through Jewish mysticism. In this troubling time, may we be freed.
Shir Appeal shares its acapella rendition with us here.
Shabbat Shalom