On this Shabbat as we gather to celebrate Pride and pray together, let us take a moment to reflect on why some people and connections are respected or recognized by law while others are not. May our community honor our diversity including Trans folks, single people, friendships, non-monogamous relationships, interfaith unions, and other sexual intimacies. In the spirit of tikkun olam, we hope & pray for more inclusion. May the day soon arrive when respect and civil rights are freely granted regardless of who we are or how we choose to live our lives.
בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ יָהּ אֱלוֹהֵינוּ רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁתְנוּ בְּמַצּוֹתֶיהָ וְצִוַּתְנוּ לִרְדֹּף צֶדֶק וּלְכַבֵּד כָּל נֶפֶשׁ וְשֻׁתָּפוּת
B’rukhah At Yah, Eloheynu, Ruakh ha-olam, asher kidshatnu bemitzvoteha
vetzivatnu lirdof tzedek, u’likhabed kol nefesh v’shutafut
You are Blessed, O God, Spirit of the World, who makes us holy with your mitzvot
and commands us to pursue justice and honor all people and connections.
Adapted by Devin Pastika & Susie Kisber from a prayer written by Susie Kisber & Mano Marks. Hebrew prayer adapted from Social Action Blessings distributed by the Commission of Social Action of Reform Judaism with Hebrew help from Rabbi Jane Litman and Rabbi Roni Handler, editor of www.ritualwell.org
