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Archive for the ‘Better World’ Category

Remembering 9-11 Survivors

Posted on: September 10th, 2013 by tobendlight

To honor their journey, here’s my prayer “For 9-11 Survivors.” Looking for a photo to go with this prayer was painful. I can’t imagine what the anniversary is like for survivors, their families and friends. I selected this photo after finding it on a site called “The Prayer Circle Leader” illustrating this prayer, which will appear in my forthcoming book, Jewish Prayers of Hope and Healing. To listen, click on the triangle below. The text follows.

For 9-11 Survivors
G-d of the survivor,
G-d of the mourner and the witness,
Grant solace and peace to those still held by physical, emotional and spiritual distress from the attacks of 9-11. Release them from visions of death and destruction, from guilt or shame, from fear or anger. Bind their wounds with Your steadfast
love. Lift them on Your wings of kindness and grace.

Blessed are those who have found peace.

Blessed are those without tranquility.

Blessed are those who speak.

Blessed are those who stay silent.

Blessed are those who have healed.

Blessed are those who suffer.

Blessed are those who forgive.

Blessed are those who cannot forgive.

Blessed are You, Adonai our G-d, Source of strength for survivors of violence and tragedy in every land and in every age. Blessed are You, Rock of Israel, Source of hope and comfort.

Postscript: It was first posted as part of “A Liturgy for 9-11” written for the HUC-JIR continuing education blog Tzeh U’limad to provide clergy with resources for the upcoming 10th anniversary of the attack. That post includes an overview the concerns I felt while developing the liturgy. Here are links to individual 9-11 prayers: “For 9-11 Survivors,” “To the Terrorist,” “At the Hand of Terror II: A 9-11 Memorial Prayer” and “Memorial Prayer for 9-11 First Responders.” This is an annotated list of prayers suitable for public and private memorials, including links to prayers specifically written about 9-11 and others that are fitting for a commemoration.

Please consider making a contribution to support this site and my writing. For usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!” For notices of new prayers, please subscribe. You can also connect on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo Source: The Prayer Circle Leader

Resources for 9/11

Posted on: September 7th, 2013 by tobendlight

Individuals and clergy members continue to look for meaningful prayers and meditations to use to commemorate the attacks of September 11, 2001. Here’s an annotated list of prayers suitable for public and private memorials, including “A Liturgy for 9-11,” written for the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the U.S. Please email this page to anyone who may be in need of a memorial prayer or a prayer for healing.

Memorial Prayers

At the Hand of Terror: A 9-11 Yizkor Prayer – A memorial prayer to be said for specific victims
At the Hand of Terror II: A 9-11 Memorial Prayer – A general memorial prayer to be said for all victims
Memorial Prayer for 9-11 First Responders – To honor the fallen first responders
At the Hand of Violence: A Yizkor Prayer – A memorial all who died by violence

For Survivors

For 9-11 Survivors – For healing 9/11 survivors
For Terror Survivors – For healing terror survivors
For Bereaved Children – For healing children who’ve lost parents
For the Bereaved – For healing all who are bereaved

Prayers for a Better World

For First Responders – For the safety of all first responders
To the Terrorist – For the terrorist to find a new path
Against Tyranny – A prayer against oppressive regimes

The original four prayers in “A Liturgy for 9-11” were written to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the attack. See that post to read the story of how and why I wrote these prayers. The response to the original post was overwhelming. Here’s a link to an overview of some of the ways these prayers were used as part of 10th commemoration activities.

For usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!” For notices of new prayers, please subscribe. Connect with To Bend Light on Facebook and on Twitter.

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons, the “Tribute in Light” memorial is composed of two banks of high wattage spotlights that point straight up from a lot next to Ground Zero. The photo was taken from Liberty State Park, N.J., on the five-year anniversary of 9/11.

For the People of the Middle East

Posted on: July 21st, 2013 by tobendlight

Here are two prayers for peace, including a new prayer called “For the People of the Middle East.” They are remarkably hopeful, an attempt to look for a future that seems difficult to reach at best, impossible to imagine at worst: a future of complete peace in the Middle East for all nations and all peoples. “For the People of the Middle East” was written today in response to the announcement of a renewed peace process Recognizing that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is just one part of a complex peace puzzle, it has a broader focus, encompassing all places of war and strife in the region. For residents, it includes an option to subsitute the word “our” for the word “their” when talking about the region. The second is a prayer for peace between Arabs and Jews, one that I’ve posted here before.

Addendum, July 18, 2014: The peace process has collapsed and we are now in the midst of war. May peace come speedily, for all.

For the People of the Middle East
G-d of All,
Protector and Redeemer,
Watch over the people of the Middle East
As their [our] nations face struggle and strife,
In these lands and on these borders.
Grant safety to their [our] citizens and residents,
Visitors and guests,
During moments of unrest.
Grant wisdom and courage to national leaders
Throughout the region.
Grant insight to their advisors
And understanding to their friends.
Lead them on a path toward justice.
Direct them on the road to freedom.
Guide them on the way to prosperity.
Make them all shining lights of peace.

Source and Shelter,
Grant safety and security to all nations,
So that harmony and blessings resound
From the four corners of the earth.

Blessed are You, G-d of All,
Forging nations and peoples
In the crucible of change
Throughout history.
May this time of challenge for the nations of the Middle East
Become a blessing for all inhabitants and for the world.

For Peace in the Middle East
Sons of Abraham,
Sons of Hagar and Sarah,
Of Isaac and Ishmael:
Have you forgotten the day we buried our father?
Have you forgotten the day we carried his dead body into the cave near Hebron?
Have you forgotten the day we entered the darkness of Machpaelah
To lay our Patriarch to rest?

Sons of Esau and Jacob:
Have you forgotten the day we made peace?
The day we set aside past injustices and deep wounds to lay down our weapons and live?
Or the day we, too, buried our father?
Have you forgotten that we took Isaac’s corpse into that humble cave
To place him with his father for eternity?

Brother, I don’t remember crying with you.
Sister, I don’t remember mourning with you.
We should have cried the tears of generations.
We should have cried the tears of centuries,
The tears of fatherless sons
And motherless daughters,
So that we would remember in our flesh that we are one people,
From one father on earth and one Creator in heaven,
Divided only by time and history.

One G-d,
My brother calls you Allah.
My sister calls you Adonai.
You speak to some through Moses.
You speak to some through Mohammed.
We are one family, cousins and kin.

Holy One,
Light of truth,
Source of wisdom and strength,
In the name of our fathers and mothers,
In the name of justice and peace,
Help us to remember our history,
To mourn our losses together,
So that we may,
Once more,
Lay down our weapons and live.

G-d of All Being,
Bring peace and justice to the land,
And joy to our hearts.

Postscript: The prayer “For the People of the Middle East” is based on prayers I wrote as the Arab Spring unfolded, a prayer “For Egypt,” a prayer “For Libya” and one “For Syria.” See the post “For Peace in the Middle East” for an explanation of the choices I made developing that prayer, which I wrote and posted a few years ago. I’ve maintained the original name, although it now seems imprecise. I may change it at some point down the road. For more prayers about Israel, please click here. Please consider purchasing my new book, Jewish Prayers of Hope and Healing.

Please consider making a contribution to support this site and my writing. For usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!” For notices of new prayers, please subscribe. You can also connect on Facebook and Twitter. If you like this prayer, please post a link to Facebook, your blog or mention it in a tweet.

Photo Source: Hillel at Baruch College, Peace in the Middle East Club

Prayer for the People of London

Posted on: July 7th, 2013 by tobendlight

This is a new memorial prayer for the victims of the 7 July London bombings. It’s an adaptation of prayers I wrote in response to violence in Norway and attacks in Mumbai, which were based on two of my other prayers, “At the Hand of Violence” and “In Devastation.” I also used these prayers as the basis of a piece called “For the Jews of France” which has been translated of into French as “Aux Juifs de France.”

For the People of London
Author of life,
Grant peace and consolation
To the victims of terror in London,
Where 52 innocents were murdered,
Where more than 700 were wounded,
And where the heart of a democratic nation was attacked,
In an act of calculated terror.

Source and Creator,
Grant a perfect rest under your tabernacle of peace
To the victims of the 7/7 bombings,
Men and women whose lives were cut off
In an act of witless aggression.
Remember the survivors of this horror.
May the years that have passed,
And the years to come,
Grant them shelter and solace,
Comfort and consolation,
Blessing and courage.
May their healing —
And the healing of this nation —
Continue with devotion and courage.

Heavenly Guide,
Hand of love and shelter,
Put an end to anger and hatred,
Bigotry and fear.
Let terrorists put down their weapons
To discover a new path.
May the victims of all violence
Find hope and renewal.
Lead us to a time when no one
Suffers or dies at the hand of another.

Postscript: I wasn’t writing prayers when the 7/7 or the 9/11 attacks took place. I wrote my first 9/11 prayers for the 10th memorial year after that attack. Perhaps, for the 10th memorial year of the 7/7 bombings, I will write full liturgy. Here’s my “Liturgy for 9-11,” including a prayer called “To the Terrorist.”

If you use this prayer, please click “like” on this page and subscribe. Please take a moment to post a link to your Facebook page, your blog or mention it in a tweet. Thanks. For usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!”

Photo credit: WikiMedia Commons

For the Missing (Specific Person in My Family)

Posted on: June 30th, 2013 by tobendlight

Here’s a prayer to be said on behalf of a missing person. This is for a specific person in one’s family or circle of friends, such as – G-d forbid – a natural disaster, a terrorist attack, a hiking accident, an abduction or an Alzheimer’s patient disappearing. Gender selections are identified with a slash (“his/her”). In coming weeks I’ll post two additional versions: one to be said on behalf of someone whose name is known but is out of one’s personal circle – such as when a missing person is named in the news – and a general prayer for all missing persons.

For the Missing (Specific Person in My Family)
G-d of the frightened,
G-d of the missing and the lost,
Return my [father/mother/sister/brother/son/daughter/friend/husband/wife/partner]
___________________________ [full name]
To the cradle of my arms
And the refuge of our home
Speedily, in life and in health.
Watch over her/him. Protect her/him.
Shelter her/him from harm.
Deliver her/him from evil acts and evil intent.
Bless the professionals [and volunteers] dedicated to her/his return.
Grant them skill, insight, fortitude and luck.

G-d of Old,
These [hours/days/weeks/months/years]
Of dismay and dread are almost too much to bear.
Grant me [and my family] endurance, hope and faith
That I/we will soon be reunited with ___________ [first name]
In the fullness of joy.

Holy One,
Protector and Redeemer,
Hear [this/my/our] prayer.

Postscript: Here are two prayers about family, one “For Family” and another for “Family Healing.”

For usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!” For notices of new prayers, please subscribe. You can also connect on Facebook and Twitter. Please consider making a contribution to support this site and my writing.

Photo Source: New York City Fire Department

For the People of the United States, From Israel

Posted on: April 19th, 2013 by tobendlight

As events unfold in Greater Boston, here’s a new prayer for the people of the United States, written from Israel. Although this prayer is aimed at the immediate wound of the Boston Marathon bombings, it carries a sensitivity toward other violence and tragedy. Here are two prayers which I previously posted in the wake of the bombings: “Bombing at the Boston Marathon” and “For Terror Survivors.”

For the People of the United States, From Israel
Ancient One,
Source and Creator,
Grant the people of the United States,
The citizens of Massachusetts,
And the greater community of Boston
Safety and shelter,
In these hours and days of fear and dread.
We, too, know the sound of gun fire,
The echo of explosions,
The terror and pain,
The loss and dismay,
The long wait for news
And long journey to heal.

As we remember the victims and survivors of this horror,
We also remember the suffering and despair that has
Wounded the nation:
School shootings,
Factory explosions,
Coal mine disasters,
Domestic terror,
Family violence and
International terror.

Renew this land, G-d of Old.
Protect the residents from physical harm.

Restore this people, G-d of Justice.
Shield them from emotional pain.

Heal this nation, G-d of Mercy.
Bind these wounds with your steadfast love.

Heavenly Guide,
Hand of consolation and shelter,
Grant the people of the United States Your protection
Your wholeness and peace.

Postscript: Click here to read the entire Liturgy for 9-11, including an overview of concerns that emerged in developing these prayers. It also includes suggestions for other prayers that fit with the themes of 9-11. Here are links to “To the Terrorist” and “Memorial Prayer for 9-11 First Responders.”

Photo Credit: TV image from a Facebook post

For Terror Survivors

Posted on: April 17th, 2013 by tobendlight

In the wake of the bombings at the Boston Marathon, I’ve taken a prayer published as part of “A Liturgy for 9-11”and generalized it for all terror victims. A new optional line is shown in [brackets] includes the opportunity to name one or more specific acts of terror. This prayer was originally written for the HUC-JIR continuing education blog Tzeh U’limad to provide clergy with resources for 10th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks. Click here to read the prayer “Bombing at the Boston Marathon” and one “For the People of the United States, From Israel.”

For Terror Survivors
God of the survivor,
God of the mourner and the witness,
Grant solace and peace to those still held by physical, emotional and spiritual distress from acts of terror.
Remember now those who are suffering from trauma after the ___________ (add name of event, such as Boston Marathon bombings, 9-11 attacks, Sbarro restaurant suicide bombing, Sandy Hook massacre).
Release them from visions of death and destruction.
Release them from guilt or shame, from fear or anger.
Bind their wounds with Your steadfast love.
Lift them on Your wings of kindness and grace.

Blessed are those who have found peace.

Blessed are those without tranquility.

Blessed are those who speak.

Blessed are those who stay silent.

Blessed are those who have healed.

Blessed are those who suffer.

Blessed are those who forgive.

Blessed are those who cannot forgive.

Blessed are You, God of healing, Source of strength for survivors of violence and tragedy in every land and in every age. Blessed are You, Source of hope and comfort.

For usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!” For notices of new prayers, please subscribe. Connect with To Bend Light on Facebook and on Twitter.

Photo Credit: BostInno

Bombing at the Boston Marathon

Posted on: April 16th, 2013 by tobendlight

This is a prayer for healing in response to the bombing at the Boston Marathon, written today at the request of the Union for Reform Judaism. The prayer first appeared on ReformJudaism.org earlier today.

Bombing at the Boston Marathon
Author of life
Source and Creator,
Grant a perfect rest
Under your tabernacle of peace
To the victims of the bombings in Boston,
Whose lives were cut off by a calculated act of violence
Striking at a moment of celebration,
Striking at the joy in sport and competition,
Striking in the city of liberty and freedom.

G-d of justice and mercy,
Watch over the wounded and injured.
Restore them with Your healing power.
Grant them endurance to survive,
Strength to rebuild and
Courage to heal.
Remember the survivors of this attack,
The victims and bystanders,
Their families and friends,
The witnesses of shock, horror and dismay.
Ease their suffering and release their trauma.
Grant them shelter and solace,
Comfort and consolation,
Blessing and renewal.

Heavenly Guide,
Hand of love and shelter,
Put an end to anger and fear,
Hatred and brutality,
Cruelty and bloodshed,
And lead us to a time when no one will suffer at the hand of another.
Grant the people of the United States Your protection
And the people of Boston Your wholeness and peace.

Postscript: See also “At the Hand of Violence: A Yizkor Prayer,” “For Bereaved Children” and “For the Bereaved.”

For usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!” For notices of new prayers, please subscribe. You can also connect on Facebook and Twitter. If you like this prayer, please post a link to Facebook, your blog or mention it in a tweet.

Photo Credit: Boston Marathon Bombing / FB

Aux Juifs de France: Toulouse, 19 Mars 2012

Posted on: March 18th, 2013 by tobendlight

In memory of the victims of the anti-Semitic violence in Toulouse one year ago, here’s a French translation of my prayer “For the Jews of France,” as well as a link to the prayer in English. The translation is by Genevieve Begue, a woman with an amazing amount of energy and joy for living whom I met during a winter 2012 ulpan at Ben Gurion University of the Negev. My deepest thanks to Genevieve for the translation and her continuing support of my writing. See also: “At the Hand of Anti-Semitism: A Yizkor Prayer.”

Aux Juifs de France
Auteur de la vie,
L’homme est devenu violent,
Fauchant enfants et maîtres
A Toulouse, en France,
Nos jeunes et nos leaders,
Nos frères et soeurs,
Anéantissant des vies,
Bouleversant des rêves,
Attaquant l’espoir avec la haine.

Source et Créateur,
Accorde un repos parfait sous ton tabernacle de paix
Aux victimes de Toulouse
Dont les vies furent interrompues par la violence,
Un acte d’aggression stupide
Et d’anti-Sémitisme calculé.
Rappelle-toi les survivants de cette atrocité,
Et les victimes de toute violence, souffrance ou désespoir.
Accorde-leur refuge et secours,
Confort et consolation,
Grâce et renouveau.
Accorde-leur l’endurance afin qu’ils survivent,
La force de reconstruire,
La foi dans le deuil,
Le courage de guérir,
Et la dévotion l’un à l’autre.

Guide divin,
Main d’amour et refuge,
Met fin à la haine et la colère,
A la peur et la bigoterie,
Et conduit-nous à ce temps,
Quand plus un ne souffre à la merci d’un autre.

Pour le bien de notre peuple,
Et pour celui de Ton Saint Nom,
Accorde aux Juifs de France Ta protection,
Ta guérison et ton intégrité,
Et accorde-leur Ta paix.

Postscript: Please ask others to pray for the Jews of France by posting a link to this prayer on your Facebook wall or blog. This prayer is an adaptation of prayers I wrote in response to violence in Norway and attacks in Mumbai, which were based on two of my other prayers, “At the Hand of Violence” and “In Devastation.” Find related prayers in my “Liturgy for 9-11.” Thanks again to Genevieve.

Photo credit: Soutien aux familles des victimes et à la communauté Juive de Toulouse on Facebook

For Wisdom During Israel’s Elections

Posted on: January 16th, 2013 by tobendlight

Today, we in Israel will elect a new government. Here are two prayers for wisdom of the electorate. The first is for voters, followed by one for non-voters, recognizing that Jews throughout the world have a personal stake in this election. The prayer includes blessings for “all who reside within our borders” and yearns for “liberty and equality,” ideas that take on political weight in context of the challenges here. They are also hopes and dreams worthy of our prayers. The prayer also includes some classic imagery about Israel from Jewish liturgy and sacred texts.

For Wisdom During Israel’s Elections (For Voters)
G-d of Justice,
Protector and Redeemer,
Grant guidance to our nation
As we select leaders
To serve and to govern,
The men and women who promise
To bring prosperity to our land,
The men and women who promise
To protect our homes and secure our borders.

Grant us wisdom and courage
So that we entrust our government to visionaries and statesmen,
So that we elect those who will serve our citizens –
And all who reside within our borders –
With honor and integrity,
To forge a flourishing and peaceful future,
A land flowing with milk and honey.

Bless our Prime Minister and Knesset
With vision and strength,
Fortitude and insight.
May they lead us to a time
When liberty and equality
Reign supreme throughout the land,
So that a new light will shine forth from Zion.

G-d of Truth,
Source and Shelter,
Grant safety and security to all nations,
So that truth and harmony will resound
From the four corners of the earth.
Let the light of Israeli democracy grow,
Let it shine brightly,
A beacon of hope
For every land and every people.

For Wisdom During Israel’s Elections (For Non-voters)
G-d of Justice,
Protector and Redeemer,
Grant guidance to the citizens of Israel
As they select leaders
To serve and to govern,
The men and women who promise
To bring prosperity to the land,
The men and women who promise
To protect homes and secure the borders.

Grant wisdom and courage to voters
To entrust the government to visionaries and statesmen,
To elect those who will serve Israeli citizens –
And all who reside within its borders –
With honor and integrity,
To forge a flourishing and peaceful future,
A land flowing with milk and honey.

Bless the Prime Minister and Knesset
With vision and strength,
Fortitude and insight.
May they lead Israel to a time
When liberty and equality
Reign supreme throughout the land,
So that a new light will shine forth from Zion.

Postscript: Here’s a link to a general version of this text, upon which I built this prayer, prior to the 2013 Israeli elections. Reflecting my two citizenships, click for prayers for Israel, as well as Veterans Day prayers, Thanksgiving Day prayers and “A Liturgy for 9-11.”

Photo Credit: Aliyah Magazine