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.
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.”
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 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.
15 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
Please watch over JJB seb And hopefully any survivors of these things you and others and me have prayed about.
Hannaka the holiday that serves as a reference of 🕯️ although others have there own set ways may they know there not alone.
404 East Washington Blvd and 5920 Decatur Rd Fort Wayne the humans here and there known prior and current even those no one knows of please watch over your children down here.
Serena Elizabeth Bennett And Jasmine Jada Bennett and Jaylin Wade Bennett and Austin Cartez Starks guardian angel 😇 constitution and help to those who loved them Amen my children and grandchildren
A prayer still blacking out when gin shots are fired it doesn’t seem real I’m taking a old medicine for stress and trauma over the deaths of loved ones and people I’ve met ong the way it’s strange you never know who someone is until you met them and say wow in the beginning I met you here there and this is what happened here there and then today things are what they are.
I can’t change mine his hers that have died or those who did mean things I ask for prayer for those who are in all situations and a logical way Amen
God has not given us the spirit of worry or fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) I pray for my children and the children they birthed and there safety. Amen
I miss my children awoke crying this morning I know something is wrong. And prior I moved to St Joseph woman mission here in fort Wayne in and my kids are going thru what earth wants .. I pray for all but I know God’s not going to do it all. Although they were put where they are taken most are the same on foster care. They want the whole stuff from kids and the wife the girlfriend and slot of woman are the same with the gay rights pride going on. It’s just a horrible domestic violence single mother with children not ok prior or current event and family does it too even kills or tries no different than the dad and his lovers girlfriends wives etc. I give up the pledge of alliance
3502 Lake Street a prayer of protection a mass shooting occured a hour ago and for once in my life I realized some businesses prefer for no one who lives there to call please protect here there and area the area of the place including me and truth and others also. You really don’t ever know what one is going thru or has planned in truth of things people and places. Amen
3505 Lake Street and area needs prayer. Also still slot of shootings in and outside of places and those who would and do care are being left in ways of differences. Safety but with the good things of the constitution.