Beginning to Pray

This prayer is a beginning. These words come out of a collaboration among a growing network of progressive rabbis in Cleveland, OH. It is a reflection of a pluralistic effort, a bending towards each other’s needs, sensibilities and attitudes towards intra-Jewish Cleveland politics. The words here represent many of the values that rabbis in this collective hold dear, and it also represents an effort to move the needle in Jewish Cleveland, reaching as wide an audience as possible. Sharing this piece with communities near and far is a priority. For some, this prayer will work just as it is. For others, it may need modifying to feel right. For most, it is likely to raise questions, spark resonance and challenge, and hopefully open space for discussion. In this ongoing chapter of heartbreak, we turn to prayer as a vessel for grieving, grappling, and dreaming. May this prayer ground our pursuit of freedom, safety, liberation, and justice for all.

Beginning to Pray

A collaboration from Cleveland Rabbis Rachel Davidson, Megan Doherty, Miriam Geronimus, Enid Lader, Bec Richman, Steve Segar, Micah Shapiro

We trembled as we read the names of those kidnapped, tortured, murdered, torn from home. A day of rest and celebration turned into the unfathomable. We have yet to find our breath.

And then bombs fell with our tears. Still, they fall. Still, we weep. The people of Gaza are starving. The hostages in Gaza are starving. Our anguish knows no bounds.

Ha’Rofei Lish’vurei Lev, Healer of the Brokenhearted – Find Your way to the living amidst the rubble, to the dust-covered, orphaned children wailing for buried family. Find Your way to the emaciated bodies carrying empty pots, running on broken ankles for mere cups of flour. Find your way to the hostages, so close and yet so far from home. Find your way to the ones relentlessly marching, tirelessly calling for the end of the war, wearily pleading for living and dead to return.

M’kor Hayim, Source of Life – We grieve endless devastation and displacement. Let our fury with destructive leadership fuel our fight for life.

Rehem Olam, Womb of the World – Carry us again in your waters of possibility. Let the babies live, let their mothers’ milk flow again. Let the lands pierced with war and bloodshed return to their ancient memory of sustenance and nourishment.

Oseh Shalom, Maker of Peace – Make it so for us all. Hashkiveinu l’shalom, viha’amideinu l’hayim – Help us lie down in peace, rise up in life.