Optional Hebrew opening can be chanted to a typical Mi Shebeirakh tune or read aloud:
Feminine God-language
מְקוֹר הַבְּרָכָה לְאִמּוֹתֵינוּ וְאֲבוֹתֵינוּ
הִיא תְבָרֵך אֵת כָּל הַאֲנָשִׁים מֵדָתוֹת שׁוֹנוֹת
שֶׁדָבְקוּ בַּקְהִילָה הַזֹאת תַּחַת כָּנְפֵי הַשְׁכִינָה
Masculine God-language
מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ וְאִמּוֹתֵינוּ
הוּא יְבָרֵך אֵת כָּל הַאֲנָשִׁים מֵדָתוֹת שׁוֹנוֹת
שֶׁדָבְקוּ בַּקְהִילָה הַזֹאת תַּחַת כָּנְפֵי הַשְׁכִינָה
May the One who blessed our ancestors before us
Bless all those of different faiths and identities
Who contribute to the life of this synagogue;
Who give of their time and their hearts;
Who help bring Judaism to life for all of us and for the next generation;
Who volunteer and serve this community in ways seen and unseen;
And who give the gifts of love and support to their Jewish partners and family members.
We give thanks to them and to You, Source of Life.
Holy One, please bless them to find acceptance, appreciation, and joy here in this synagogue.
And during life’s sorrows may they know they can take refuge among us, under the Wings of your Protection.
May they know that they are immeasurably valued just as they are.
May the works of their hands be blessed with much success, and may they walk the paths of peace along with their sisters and brothers in the Household of IsraelLit. ''the one who struggles with God.'' Israel means many things. It is first used with reference to Jacob, whose name is changed to Israel (Genesis 32:29), the one who struggles with God. Jacob's children, the Jewish people, become B'nai Israel, the children of Israel. The name also refers to the land of Israel and the State of Israel. and the wider human family. And let us say, Amen.
