Friday night is a festive occasion—a time to slow down, eat well, sing, and engage deeply with one another. Traditionally, we welcome the Sabbath bride by lighting candles, reciting Kiddush, and saying a blessing over challah. We bless the children among us and some of us turn to bless each other. We sing a song to welcome angels and welcome guests to our table. Some people find Shabbat peace in simply joining together to watch a movie or play a game. As we gather with loved ones or take time for ourselves, Friday night offers us the opportunity to look back on the week that has passed. We begin to slow down and unwind as we open to the peace of Shabbat.
A prayer to acknowledge the fruits of our labor from the past week and to welcome in the peace of Shabbat.
An interpretive Amidah for queer Jews
Using water in place of wine or grape juice when making kiddush
A prayer from T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights to protect human rights and human dignity
Originally written for Human Rights Shabbat, this prayer seeks to capture the hope that the social justice teachings of Torah, and the ethical impulses they inspire, will be mirrored in the actions of our governments on all levels.
“Wine or grape juice?” and why we should make both available at our communal celebrations
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