After a hate crime at Temple Beth Hatfiloh (Olympia, Washington) that took place on  December 22, 2015, Rabbi Seth Goldstein penned a prayer for healing.Â
Immediately following the incident he commented: “A recent study documented how Jews are still the number one target of hate crimes in this country. Anti-Semitism is alive and well, and we as Jews need to be mindful and cautious. We are living in difficult times. These are times when racism is again rearing its ugly head. Islamophobia, both in the form of hateful rhetoric and attacks on Muslims, is entering the mainstream. Talk of immigration devolves into stereotyping and fearmongering. Expressions of exclusion and bias are being normalized.”Â
He responsed by creating a prayer for healing because “we not only need to repair the damage and address security measures, but we need to heal spiritually as well.”
Eloheinu v’elohei avoteinu v’imoteinu
Our God and God of our ancestors,
Hate has been visited upon our community
Our sacred space has been violated.
We feel vulnerable, afraid, angry and broken.
God and God of our ancestors,
We pray to You:
May strength come from our vulnerability,
so we can support one another,
and receive the support of others with gratitude and humility.
May compassion come from our fear,
so we do not act from that fear,
and we can pursue justice not revenge, peace not more violence.
May wisdom come from our anger,
so we are able to see that an attack against us is an attack against all,
and we are able to join in common cause with those who are similarly oppressed and targeted.
And may healing come from our brokenness,
so we are able to rise from this challenge with renewed life, commitment and connection.
God and God of our ancestors,
In light of this act of violence and hatred,
We maintain our commitment to be shearit Yisrael, the remnant 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.,
Continually upholding the teachings and traditions of Your covenant,
Pursuing righteousness and compassion,
Justice and mercy,
Peace and understanding,
Love and friendship.
May You frustrate those who seek to do harm
And uphold those who seek to do good.
May the shelter of Your peace spread over us and over all who dwell on earth.
And let us say, Amen.
5 Responses
Thank you for the page of prayers to offer others and ourselves comfort. We read it faithfully.
To all my loved family and friends who have experienced this on my 45 years and long before and today and to come. Also only for those who work or are at home here there and everywhere including the epidemic.
Also for all the families we read about or met or are not alive.
A friend prayer have you ever realized people are trapped in hate crimes and need free with help to help them. If you could pray for those who are trapped due to someone’s else’s plans. Amen.
unanswered but answered