In the next few days I will sign a contract to work for an Israeli health information technology company. I started work two weeks ago. For those who don’t know, the work week here in Israel is Sunday to Thursday. I’ll be commuting to Tel Aviv about two days each week and working from my apartment in Jerusalem the other days. And there will be some travel to the U.S. I am grateful for this opportunity.

Upon Gaining Employment
G-d on high,
With gratitude I begin a new job,
A new opportunity to contribute,
A new chance to provide for my well-being
And the well-being of my family.
Let me use this gift for good
In service to others
And Your Holy Name.

Remember the poor and the homeless,
The needy and the unemployed,
So that they find dignity and fulfillment
In the works of their hands
And the works of their minds.
For I once stood in the shadow of fear and loss
When my employment ended.
Bless all who are jobless with a livelihood
So that they know health and happiness,
Security and peace.

Source of goodness and life,
Grant me success on this new path
And prosperity in all my endeavors.
May this be an opportunity to learn and to grow,
In the joy of fruitful labor.

Blessed are You,
G-d of bounty and grace,
Who has seen me through my hour of need
And brought me the gift of work.

© 2012 Alden Solovy and www.tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

Postscript: Here’s a prayer to be said “Upon Losing Employment” and a prayer “For Work.” See also: “Against Worker Exploitation,” it’s one of my prayers for social justice.

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