As we prepare to celebrate Rosh Hashanah tonight, we share with all our readers a prayer for our country. Rochester NY, an American city has become the center of the country’s attention when we learned of the details of the tragic death of Daniel Prude in police custody.

Every year is unique, but this year is more unique than most. This year we have seen grave dangers and terrifying disasters, a threatening Covid-19, fires ignited by climate change, soaring unemployment, racial injustice and attacks on the institutions of American democracy.

For centuries, a prayer for the country has been included in prayer books in Jewish communities around the world. The prayer is recited on the Sabbath and on Holy Days. Tonight in the pandemic physical distancing we hold in our hearts loved ones and recall the holiness of every human being, created in God’s image.

“God of holiness, we hear Your message: Justice, Justice you shall pursue. God of freedom, we hear Your charge: Proclaim liberty throughout the land. Inspire us through Your teachings and commandments to love and uphold our precious democracy. Let every citizen and person living in our country, take responsibility for the rights and freedoms we cherish. Let each of us be an advocate for justice, an activist for liberty, a defender of dignity. And let us champion the values that have in the past made our nation a haven for the persecuted, a beacon of hope among the nations.

We pray for courage and conscience. May our actions reflect compassion for all people, within our borders and abroad. Now and forever.”

THE JEWISH PLURALIST STANDS WITH

FREE THE PEOPLE ROC

WISHING OUR CITY, OUR COUNTRY AND THE WORLD

SHANAH TOVAH

A YEAR OF HEALTH, COMPASSION AND JUSTICE

The prayer for our country is adapted from Mishkan Hanefesh Reform Judaism Rosh Hashanah Mahzor for the Days of Awe.