A Word from Rabbi Schulman - 9/14/18

Many are the prayers we offer from our High Holy Days prayer book. Yet the Gates of Heaven are always open to the prayers we offer from our hearts.

Days before Rosh Hashanah, I invited members of our congregation to write a prayer for the New Year. Below you will find samples of their heartfelt hopes. Perhaps some of these prayers will reflect the stirrings in your own soul:

I hope family and friend will stay healthy to enjoy 5779.

I hope our country will heal its divided mind-set; that both sides of the aisle will work collaboratively to lead us in the right direction.

To receive and to give

Help, Healing, and Peace.

I pray that we set aside partisanship and speak loudly in support of the values our beloved country is built on.

Adonai, I thank you for the wonderful people, co-workers, and family you surround me with. I hope to meet more wonderful, compassionate people. I ask that you will influence my drive to be a better husband, son, brother, friend and for strength to work on creating a socially just world.

I pray for a refuah sh’leima to all those suffering in mind, body, and spirit.

I pray for our country that those who are wise, fair, and just prevail.

I pray for our beloved temple. May prosperous times be just over the horizon.

I pray for good health and happiness for my family, friends, and community.

In the days ahead, culminating on Yom Kippur, may the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to You, O God, Rock and Redeemer.