A Hanukkah Prayer for a Time of Darkness
Creator of All, In the beginning You made the night sky luminous with the light of the moon and the stars and You made the daytime bright with the light […]
The Alef is an And and Two Hands
Come in – lay your hunger down on the chairs Make yourself into     And Make yourself comfortable The Alef is One and it is silent and it is small Explode […]
Ritual for Donating the Organs, Body, or Tissue of Someone Who has Died
Family member(s) may alternate reading stanzas, one person can read, or the chaplain may read: These things I know: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â How the living go on living And how the dead go […]
Ceremony for Receiving a Bone Marrow Transplant
In preparing to write this ritual, I interviewed Aubrey Hughes, a woman who is becoming a BMT nurse after a BMT saved her life. She explained that bone marrow transplants […]
Eight Angels on Eight Nights
Eight angels came to me on eight nights Each one told a story* The first one asked questions What kind of light? What is HanukkahThe holiday which celebrates the rededication […]
Maoz Tzur for Pittsburgh
Ma’oz Tzur Yeshu’ati Rock of Ages, Fortress of Redemption, Rock of Salvation, Refuge and Shelter, Lekha na’eh leshabe’ach It is a delight, Lovely and fine, To sing Your praises. Tikon […]
Kwanzakkah
The holidays of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah are an opportunity for us to reconnect with our community and remember the miracles of light, love and hope. As we reflect on miracles, […]
Hanukkah Candle Lighting Dedications for 2018/5779: Shining Light on the Darkness, Committing to Be the Light
Night 1: Let us light the first candle for the Jewish community of Pittsburgh, which is still reeling from the horrific tragedy of just one month ago. As our tradition […]
Loved Ones’ Vidui
Introduction The ViduiLit. Confession. A litany of one’s sins that is traditionally recited on Yom KippurThe holiest day of the Jewish year and the culmination of a season of self-reflection. Jews fast, abstain from other worldly pleasures, and gather in prayers that last throughout the day. Following Ne'ilah, the final prayers, during which Jews envision the Gates of Repentance closing, the shofar is sounded in one long blast to conclude the holy day. It is customary to begin building one's sukkah as soon as the day ends., prior to one’s wedding, and on one’s deathbed. is a traditional confessional prayer recited […]
Hanukkah Candle Dedication to the Rohingya People
On the 6th night of Chanukah 2018—Erev Shabbat, December 7th—we invite you to join American Jewish World Service, the Jewish Rohingya Justice Network* and concerned Jews across the U.S. and […]
