Gd 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., who has seen us through the desert and war,
We beseech you once more, as change has again arrived.
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We ask that You bless our leaders
With both strength and compassion.
Embracing their neshamahSoul,Â
Steadying their hands and work,
Allowing them to lead Eretz Yisrael capably
Into a new and brighter future.
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Maker of All, who shows us the path of righteousness,
Stretch out Your mighty arms and guide them
Elevate them beyond discontent and troubles,
Raise them high above the pettiness of stubbornness,
Allow them to work together in unison,
And as one, to guide Jew and Arab to new common ground.
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Show these leaders grace, that they might be gracious,
Show these shepherds kindness, that they might be kind,
Teach those elected understanding, caring, and love,
That they might grow into the kind of leaders who bring about peace.
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Gd of our forebears;
AbrahamAbraham is the first patriarch and the father of the Jewish people. He is the husband of Sarah and the father of Isaac and Ishmael. God's covenant - that we will be a great people and inherit the land of Israel - begins with Abraham and is marked by his circumcision, the first in Jewish history. His Hebrew name is Avraham., Issac, and JacobLit. heel Jacob is the third patriarch, son of Isaac and Rebecca, and father to the twelve tribes of Israel. More than any of the other patriarchs, Jacob wrestles with God and evolves from a deceitful, deal-making young man to a mature, faithful partner to God. His Hebrew name is Yaakov.,
MiriamMiriam is the sister of Moses and Aaron. As Moses' and Aaron's sister she, according to midrash, prophesies Moses' role and helps secure it by watching over the young baby, seeing to it that Pharaoh's daughter takes him and that the baby is returned to his mother for nursing. During the Israelites' trek through the desert, a magical well given on her behalf travels with the Israelites, providing water, healing, and sustenance., RachelLavan's younger daughter and Jacob's beloved wife second wife (after he is initially tricked into marrying her older sister, Leah). Rachel grieves throughout her life that she is barren while Leah is so fertile. Ultimately, Rachel gives birth to Joseph and dies in childbirth with Benjamin. Rachel is remembered as compassionate (she is said to still weep for her children), and infertile women often invoke Rachel as a kind of intercessor and visit her tomb on the road to Bethlehem., RebeccaThe second Jewish matriarch, Isaac's wife, and mother to Jacob and Esau. Rebecca is an active parent, talking to God when she is pregnant and learning the fate of her children, then ultimately manipulating Isaac and the children to ensure Jacob's ascendancy. Her Hebrew name is Rivka., and SarahThe first matriarch, wife of Abraham, and mother of Isaac, whom she birthed at the age of 90. Sarah, in Rabbinic tradition, is considered holy, beautiful, and hospitable. Many prayers, particularly the Amidah (the central silent prayer), refer to God as Magen Avraham – protector of Abraham. Many Jews now add: pokehd or ezrat Sarah – guardian or helper of Sarah.,
Grant us, and all peoples, unity and safety.
Help us to find security from want and need,
And bring us together to be as a Light unto the Nations.
Allow us to embrace one another as brother and sister,
Uniting in concert for our common good,
And for the good of all.
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Amen
