A Humanistic Jewish Pride Menorah Lighting Service

Welcome to our Pride MenorahThe seeven-branched menorah stood in the Temple, and many present-day synagogues feature the menorah. Titus' arch depicts the Romans' sacking of the Temple and theft of the menorah. A nine-branched menorah called a Hanukkiyah is lit on Hanukkah to symbolize the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. Lighting Service, a celebration of diversity, inclusivity, and the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. Tonight, we light the seven candles of the menorah, which take on a new significance representing the different themes of the Pride Flag, each symbolizing a significant aspect of our collective journey. As we kindle each flame, let us reflect on the blessings and meanings they carry.

Let us say together:

Blessed is the strength within us which has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season with pride!

בָּרוּךְ הַכֹּחַ בְּתוֹכֵנוּ, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ, וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה בְּגַּאֲוָה

Barukh ha’koakh b’tokhenu, shehekheyanu ve’kiye’manu, ve’higi’anu la-z’man hazeh be’ga’ava!

We invite seven people to come forward and take turns lighting the candles whilst saying the following respective blessings:

1. RED: Blessed is the light in the world, blessed is the light in humanity, and blessed is joy and pleasure in the physical and emotional connections we feel in relationship to another.
2. ORANGE: Blessed is the light in the world, blessed is the light in humanity, and blessed is the light of dignity, to see oneself as completely whole and worthy.
3. YELLOW: Blessed is the light in the world, blessed is the light in humanity, and blessed is the gift to be open about who we are, without fear.
4. GREEN: Blessed is the light in the world, blessed is the light in humanity, and blessed is the strength to be just as we are and to see others just how they tell us they want to be seen.
5. BLUE: Blessed is the light in the world, blessed is the light in humanity, and blessed is complete healing – a refu’ah shleimah – the freedom from pain.
6. PURPLE: Blessed is the light in the world, blessed is the light in humanity, and blessed is the joy of fluidity, that allows us to create and re-create who and what feels most authentic today and tomorrow and into the future.
7. BLACK/BROWN: Blessed is the light in the world, blessed is the light in humanity, and blessed is the beauty and richness that arises from embracing all races, ethnicities, and cultures.

Time for sharing local LGBTQ+ experiences:

Please stand as able:

Leader: As we light this memorial candle, we turn our hearts and minds to honor the lives that have been tragically lost to homophobia, transphobia, interphobia and racism. We recall the individuals whose love was taken from us and we hold their memories close, vowing to continue the fight for justice, equality, and acceptance.

(Reflective Pause)

All: יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא – Yitkadal veyitkadash shemeih rabba – May their memories be elevated and sanctified.

Leader: We remember them and the light they brought into the world. May their legacies serve as a call to action, inspiring us to create a more inclusive and compassionate society.

All: יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא – Yitkadal veyitkadash shemeih rabba – May their memories be elevated and sanctified.

Leader: May we continue to work for tikkun olamLit. Repair of the world According to Jewish mysticism, the world is in a broken state. Humanity's job is to join God, as God's partners, in its repair. – the repairing of the world – by lobbying our governments for better health care for people living with HIV and AIDS, as all people have the right to healing and wholeness and none should suffer from diseases that others would not because of lack of equality and care. Let us remember the so many lives lost to AIDS.

All: יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא – Yitkadal veyitkadash shemeih rabba – May their memories be elevated and sanctified. Amen.

(Reflective Pause)

Please be seated.

Leader: With a spirit of healing and wholeness, let us open our eyes to the gifts and blessings we offer and receive from each other; let us open our hearts to welcome each other fully and truly; let us open our hands to embrace, to support, to lift each other be’gilah, be’reenah, be’shalom, u’verei’ut—with joy, with song, with peace, and with deep friendship.

All: Today, as we celebrate renewal, Pride, and community, let us walk together with courage, strength, and compassion to live our stories openly, proudly, and joyfully.

Let us sing together:

I Am What I Am
written by Jerry Herman for the Broadway musical La Cage aux Folles

I am what I am
I am my own special creation
So come take a look
Give me the hook or the ovation
It’s my world that I want to have a little pride in
My world and it’s not a place I have to hide in
Life’s not worth a damn ’til you can say
“I am what I am”
I am what I am
I don’t want praise, I don’t want pity
I bang my own drum
Some think it’s noise, I think it’s pretty
And so what if I love each sparkle and each bangle
Why not try to see things from a different angle?
Your life is a sham ’til you can shout out loud
“I am what I am”
I am what I am
And what I am needs no excuses
I deal my own deck
Sometimes the ace, sometimes the deuces
There’s one life and there’s no return and no deposit
One life, so it’s time to open up your closet
Life’s not worth a damn ’til you can say
“Hey world, I am what I am”
I am what I am
I am what I am
And what I am needs no excuses
I deal my own deck
Sometimes the ace, sometimes the deuces
There’s one life and there’s no return and no deposit
One life, so it’s time to open up your closet
Life’s not worth a damn ’til you can say

“I am what I am”

HAG GA’AVAH SAMEACH!

HAPPY PRIDE!