2019 • the Open Siddur Project ✍ פְּרוֺיֶּקט הַסִּדּוּר הַפָּתוּחַ

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Barkhu

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Without a Minyan, 21st century C.E., Openers, 58th century A.M., call to prayer

This replacement barkhu arranges multiple Biblical verses in a catena. It is introduced and closed with verses from the book of Neḥemiah, verses often considered the source for the custom of calling to prayer. In between are poetic texts from the Song of Deborah and from Psalms that direct the term “Barkhu” — the plural imperative “Bless ye!” — at God. It could be recited alone in the location where the Barkhu would traditionally be recited, or said aloud in a community when no minyan is available. Alternatively, it could be used WITH a minyan as a text to introduce the Barkhu, a new step in of a line of poetic introductions to the service written for multiple generations. . . .

A Second Passover Seder Plate with Seven Additions, by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

Contributor(s):

Symbolic Foods, Seder l'Pesaḥ

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leeks, beets, symbolic foods, miriam's fish, oranges, 21st century C.E., turnip peels, 58th century A.M., Maxwell House coffee, סגולות segulot, סימנים simanim, haggadah supplements, cup of miriam

A Passover seder supplement containing seven additional symbolic foods and their associated ritual presentations, along with their collective organization on a second seder plate. . . .

מודים דרבנן בלי מנין או אם לבד (אשכנז)‏ | Modim d’Rabbanan Replacement for when Praying Alone or Without a Minyan (Nusaḥ Ashkenaz), by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

Contributor(s):

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (transcription & naqdanut)

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Modim d'Rabbanan

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thankfulness, Without a Minyan, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., מודים Modim

This text uses the passage for the Askenazi nusach of the Modim d’Rabbanan and incorporates it into an extended version of the Modim, slightly editing it so as to fit more appropriately and so as not to repeat the word “modim” (which is forbidden on the grounds of appearing, ḥas v’shalom, to pray to multiple deities—see Berakhot 33b). It was first written for a separate project by the editor (https://opensiddur.org/prayers/lunisolar/musaf/dukhening-in-a-musaf-amidah-after-a-heykhe-qedushah-by-isaac-gantwerk-mayer/) but here it can be found alone. It can be silently recited when praying alone or after a heykhe kedusha, to replace the first paragraph of the Modim prayer. . . .

הגדה לסדר פסח | The Passover Seder Haggadah, tropified by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

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Seder l'Pesaḥ

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58th century A.M., cantillation, tropified texts, traditional egalitarian, 21st century C.E.

A version of the Pesaḥ Haggadah with full cantillation. . . .

תיקון לערב יום הכיפורים | Tiqun for Erev Yom Kippur, by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

Contributor(s):

תקונים tiqqunim, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M.

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Yom Kippur Readings

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This Tikkun for Erev Yom Kippur is an assortment of texts, beginning with Torah and its targum, continuing with the Writings, then prophetic and psalmodic works, each accompanied by related Mishnaic passages from Tractate Yoma and surrounded by petitionary prayers in the manner of a traditional tikkun. It is meant to be studied in the nightly period after Kol Nidrei, either as a community or alone. . . .

פַּרְשְׁיָתָא דְּפִתְחָא לְמִנְחָה | Passages for Opening Minḥah, by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

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Minḥah

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Psalms 145, אשרי Ashrei, Psalms 142, Psalms 84, Psalms 141, Nusaḥ Erets Yisrael, Psalms 143, Psalms 144, 21st century C.E., Openers, 58th century A.M., Psalms 20

One of the great things about Pesukei and Kabbalat Shabbat is that it enhances our feeling of holiness, that what we’re about to do is outside the secular world we’ve just left. Minḥah is the shortest service, and usually gone through the fastest. But it is still a spot of holiness in our afternoons, and we should keep that in mind. I hope that this text can help us remember that we can always take a break from our day to access some afternoon holiness. . . .

מי שברך לעגונות | Mi sheBerakh to Support Agunot and Call Get Refusers to Account, by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

Contributor(s):

After the Aliyot, Agunah Day, Slavery & Captivity

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שבת זכור Shabbat Zakhor, agunot, מסרבות גט mesorvot get, divorce, מי שברך mi sheberakh, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M.

This prayer, following the structure of the Mi Sheberakh supplications during the Torah service, is meant to call get refusers to account, by name, and make a statement that their behavior is evil and will not be tolerated. . . .

תפילת הודיה לגשם | Thanksgiving Prayer for Rainfall in Lands Where It is Needed, by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

Contributor(s):

Drought & Wildfire, the Wet Season (Fall & Winter)

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eco-conscious, thanksgiving, Rain, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., global warming, global climate change, Prayers for Precipitation, גשם geshem, מודים Modim

A prayer of thanksgiving for when it rains in a land needing rainfall. . . .

קריאות לימי הותיקים | Torah and Haftarah Readings for Days Recognizing Military Veterans, compiled by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

Contributor(s):

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (translation) and the Masoretic Text

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US Veterans Day Readings

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military, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., American Jewry of the United States

This is a Torah reading (divided into three aliyot) and a Haftarah reading to be recited for such holidays. The aliyot are from Shoftim, describing the rules for just warfare and treatment of those in need. . . .

קריאות ליום הזכרון | Torah and Haftarah Readings for Days Memorializing Fallen Military Personnel, compiled by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

Contributor(s):

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer and the Masoretic Text

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US Memorial (Decoration) Day Readings

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United States, military, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., American Jewry of the United States, Decoration Day

This is a Torah reading (divided into three aliyot) and a Haftarah reading to be recited on Memorial Day or any local equivalent day to honor those who died for their nation. . . .

קריאות לימי העבודה | Torah and Haftarah Readings for Days Recognizing Organized Labor and Labor Rights, compiled by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

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International Workers' Day Readings, US Labor Day Readings

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21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., American Jewry of the United States

This is a Torah reading (divided into three aliyot) and a Haftarah reading to be recited on a national labor holiday. The aliyot are from Vayakhel, describing the construction of the Tabernacle. . . .

Dukhening in a Musaf Amidah after a Heykhe Qedushah: a version of the concluding three blessings for Kohanim, by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

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Musaf

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הױכע קדושה Heykhe Qedusha, Kohanim, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., Birkat Kohanim, דוכנען dukhening

This text is a version of the concluding three blessings (Avodah, Hoda’ah, and Shalom) for kohanim to use during the silent Amidah of a festival Musaf where dukhening is, for one reason or another, impossible. . . .

מִי שֶׁבֵּרָךְ לִמְקַבְּלֵי שֵׁם אֱמֶת אַחַר אִשּׁוּר מְגַדְּרִי | Mi sheBerakh for those receiving a true name after gender confirmation, by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

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During the Aliyot, Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31st)

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North America, transgender, מי שברך mi sheberakh, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., naming ceremonies, gender transition

A Mi sheBerakh prayer, in the manner of those used during the Torah service, to honor those receiving a true Hebrew name reflecting their gender after undergoing gender confirmation. . . .

תפילת הודיה לשלג | Thanksgiving Prayer for Snowfall in Lands Where It is Needed, by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

Contributor(s):

Drought & Wildfire, the Wet Season (Fall & Winter)

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thanksgiving, snow, eco-conscious, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., global warming, global climate change, Prayers for Precipitation, מודים Modim

A prayer of thanksgiving for when it snows in a land needing snowfall (and ultimately, snowmelt). . . .

קדוש לסעודה מפסקת לפני יום הכפורים | Ḳiddush for the Seudah Mafseket before Yom Kippur, by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

Contributor(s):

קידוש ḳiddush, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M.

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Yom Kippur

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A kiddush for the se’udah (feast) preceding Yom Kippur and its fast. . . .

אדיר הוא | Awesome One: an Alphabetical English Interpretation of the piyyut Adir Hu, by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

Contributor(s):

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (translation) and Unknown Author(s)

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Nirtsah

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English vernacular prayer, English piyyutim, אדיר הוא Adir Hu, פיוטים piyyutim, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., Alphabetic Acrostic

Adir Hu, a classic Pesaḥ song if ever there was one, is a part of Seder tables all over the planet. Its alphabetical list of God’s attributes, combined with its repeated pleas for a return to Jerusalem, make it a classic, to the point where the traditional German farewell greeting for Passover was not “chag sameach” or “gut yontef” but “bau gut” – build well. This interpretation, while not a direct translation by any means, has the same rhythmic pattern and alphabetical structure, giving a sense of the greatness of God. . . .

קריאות ליום העצמאות האמריקאי | Torah and Haftarah Readings for United States Independence Day, compiled by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

Contributor(s):

US Independence Day Readings

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United States, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., American Jewry of the United States

The Fourth of July is a day on which Americans celebrate liberty, equality under heaven, and freedom from tyranny and foreign rule. Thus it is an appropriate day to read Torah. This is a Torah reading (divided into three aliyot) and a Haftarah reading to be recited on the Fourth of July. . . .

הַגָּדָה שֶׁלַּפֶּסַח הַשֵּׁנִי | Haggadah for Pesaḥ Sheni on the Evening of the 14th of Iyar, compiled by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

Contributor(s):

Pesaḥ Sheni, Seder l'Pesaḥ Sheni

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21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., inclusion, תשובה teshuvah, second chances

A guiding text and haggadah for a Seder Pesaḥ Sheni. . . .

קדיש יתום בלי מנין או אם לבד (אשכנז)‏ | Abbreviated, Personal Mourner’s Ḳaddish for when Praying Alone or Without a Minyan (Nusaḥ Ashkenaz), by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer

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Mourning, Ḳaddish

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Without a Minyan, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., Nusaḥ Ashkenaz, קדיש יתום Mourner's Ḳaddish, prayers of orphans

This text takes the basic idea of the Baladi-rite ‘Brikh Shmeh d’Kudsha Brikh Hu’ and adapts it for the Askenazi nusach of the Kaddish. It can be used when praying alone wherever a minyan would say the entire Kaddish. It could also be recited by a community in unison out loud when it can’t make a minyan, to show that even if we don’t have a full minyan, we still welcome mourners as part of our community. . . .

Additions to Piyyutim on the High Holidays for the Shemitah Year, by Rabbi David Seidenberg (neohasid.org)

Contributor(s):

Rosh haShanah (l’Maaseh Bereshit), Yom Kippur, The Shmitah Year (Earth's Shabbat)

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היום תאמצנו Hayom T'amtsenu, פיוטים piyyutim, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., ecoḥasid

Two suggestions for ḥazanim (cantors) and shliḥei tzibur on the High Holidays. . . .

Addition to the Rosh Hashanah Seder Akhilat haSimanim for the Shmitah Year, by Rabbi David Seidenberg (neohasid.org)

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Seder Akhilat haSimanim, Symbolic Foods, The Shmitah Year (Earth's Shabbat)

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21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., ecoḥasid

Many people eat special foods as part of a mini-seder at the beginning of the Rosh Hashanah meal and invoke blessings for the year as they eat them. This year, you can add figs to your Rosh Hashanah seder (apples and honey, or apples, dates, beets, etc.) and recite with this kavvanah (intention). . . .

A Hoshana for Our Planet, by Rabbi David Seidenberg (neohasid.org)

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Sukkot, Hoshana Rabbah

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הושענות hoshanot, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., English vernacular prayer, ecoḥasid, Northampton, mesostic, eco-conscious, alphabetic mesostic, United States

A litany of hoshanot for use in a ritual prayer circle march on the festival of Sukkot. . . .

Seven Hoshanot for Creation, by Rabbi David Seidenberg (neohasid.org)

Contributor(s):

Daniel Raphael Silverstein and Applied Jewish Spirituality

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Sukkot, Hoshana Rabbah

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English vernacular prayer, ecoḥasid, Needing Translation (into Hebrew), eco-conscious, הושענות hoshanot, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M.

A litany of hoshanot for use in a ritual prayer circle march on the festival of Sukkot. . . .

וִדּוּי | Vidui (confession), translated by Naomi Socher-Lerner

Contributor(s):

Unknown Author(s) and Naomi Socher-Lerner

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Yom Kippur

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וידוי vidui

The Yom Kippur vidui — confession — translated by Naomi Socher-Lerner. . . .

A Guided Meditation for Pesaḥ, by Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein

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Erev Pesaḥ, Magid, Roleplaying

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21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., haggadah supplements, Yetsiat Mitsrayim, liberation from mitsrayim, scripts, guided meditations

A meditation which can be used to prepare for Pesaḥ, or for sharing at the Seder, to deepen the experience of liberation for yourself and others. . . .

A Prayer for the Greater Iowa City Church of the Nazarene, by Rabbi Menachem Creditor

Contributor(s):

Hateful Intolerance, Prejudice, and Bigotry

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English vernacular prayer, solidarity, anti-fascist, standing together, Iowa City, Iowa, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M.

A prayer in solidarity with the Greater Iowa City Church of the Nazarene, whose building was the target of hateful vandalism. . . .

A Mini-Seliḥot, by Rabbi Menachem Creditor

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Rosh haShanah (l’Maaseh Bereshit), Yom Kippur

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58th century A.M., English vernacular prayer, paraliturgical seliḥot, סליחות seliḥot, תחינות teḥinot, 21st century C.E.

One small request to accompany the seliḥot service. . . .

Holy Tears: A Not-Ḳaddish, by Rabbi Menachem Creditor

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Dying, Mourning, Tishah b'Av, Ḳaddish

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Gratitude, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., Paraliturgical Mourner's Kaddish, English vernacular prayer

A meditation on living through the lens of dying. . . .

הַשְׁכִּיבֵנוּ | Shield the Children: A Prayer for Refugees, a paraliturgical translation of Hashkivenu by Rabba Kaya Stern-Kaufman

Contributor(s):

Kaya Stern-Kaufman

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Hashkivenu, Child care

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Immigration policy of Donald Trump, night, paraliturgical hashkivenu, protection, השכיבנו hashkivenu, prophylactic, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., paraliturgical teḥinot, North American Jewry, immigration policy, United States Immigration Policy

This prayer is a line by line interpretative translation of a traditional Ashkenazi variation of the Hashkiveinu prayer recited for Ma’ariv Leil Shabbat. . . .

Hoshanot Liturgy for the Climate Crisis, adapted by R’ Ezra Weinberg from the words of Greta Thunberg

Contributor(s):

Ezra Weinberg

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Sukkot, Ecotastrophes, Hoshana Rabbah

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הושענות hoshanot, 58th century A.M., global climate change, English vernacular prayer, climate crisis, mesostic, alphabetic mesostic

The words of Greta Thunberg adapted for a prayer for intervention in the antroppgenic climate crisis, for a Honshana ritual for Sukkot. . . .

תְּפִלָּה לְמַעַן תֵּבֵל וּמְלוֹאָהּ | Prayer for the Preservation of the Environment, by Richard Shavei-Tzion

Contributor(s):

Richard Shavei-Tzion

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Earth, our Collective Home & Life-Support System

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21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., second chances, eco-conscious

Richard Shavei-Tzion writes, “At this time when mankind is wreaking havoc on our Eco-System, we pray to God to preserve the treasure that is the earth and to grant us the wisdom to make pro-active efforts to protect it for the sake of our future generations and all which dwell upon it.” . . .

תפילת המורה לפני פתיחת שנת הלימודים | Oración de los maestros antes del inicio del año escolar | Prayer of the teacher before commencement of the school year (Masorti Movement in Israel)

Contributor(s):

Masorti Movement in Israel and Ze'ev Kainan

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Learning, Study, and School

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21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., ישראל Yisrael, Prayers of Teachers, Prayers for students

A prayer for a teacher to say or adapt as needed at the beginning of their school year. . . .

מי שברך לילדים והוריהם בשלהי שנה ובפתיחה | Mi sheBeraj para los niños y sus padres en el inicio de un nuevo año escolar | Mi sheBerakh for Children and their Parents at the Commencement of the School Year, by Rabbi Hagit Sabag Yisrael (Masorti Movement in Israel)

Contributor(s):

Hagit Sabag Yisrael, Sandra Kochmann (translation) and Masorti Movement in Israel

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Learning, Study, and School, After the Aliyot

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58th century A.M., Prayers of Primary Caregivers, מי שברך mi sheberakh, Parents blessing children, 21st century C.E.

A “mi sheberakh” blessing for children and the parents of children returning to school at the beginning of the new school year. . . .

Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rabbi Arnold E. Resnicoff on 6 February 2019

Contributor(s):

Arnold E. Resnicoff and United States Congressional Record

Categories:

United States of America, Opening Prayers for Legislative Bodies

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English vernacular prayer, House of Representatives, Prayers of Guest Chaplains, 116th Congress, 2018–19 United States federal government shutdown, lost income, תחינות teḥinot, furloughed workers, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M.

The Opening Prayer given in the U.S. House of Representatives on 6 February 2019. . . .

תְּפִלָּה לְמַעַן אַרְצוֹת הַבְּרִית בְּעֵת נִסָּיוֹן | A Prayer for the United States at a Time of Trial, by Rabbi Joe Schwartz (2019)

Contributor(s):

Joe Schwartz

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United States of America

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United States, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., 45th President of the United States, United States Immigration Policy, Immigration policy of Donald Trump, Trump administration family separation policy, 116th Congress

“A Prayer for the Spiritual Welfare of the United States at a Time of Trial,” by Rabbi Joe Schwartz was first published at The Forward on 28 June 2019. . . .

TODAY: A Rosh haShanah Prayer to End Gun Violence, by Rabbi Menachem Creditor (2019)

Contributor(s):

Mass Shootings & Gun Violence

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United States, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., English vernacular prayer, היום תאמצנו Hayom T'amtsenu, United States Gun Policy

A prayer in English to end gun violence before Rosh haShanah, . . .

Gratitude Prayer, by Rabbi Menachem Creditor on the first anniversary of the Pittsburgh Tree of Life massacre (2019)

Contributor(s):

Hateful Intolerance, Prejudice, and Bigotry, Mass Shootings & Gun Violence, Terror

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Gratitude, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., English vernacular prayer, 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

A prayer on the first anniversary of the Tree of Life massacre in Pittsburgh. . . .

אֵלֶּה אֶזְכְּרָה, נוּסַח פִּיטְסְבּוּרְג | Eileh Ezkarah for Pittsburgh, by Rabbi Jonathan Perlman with Rabbi Tamar Elad-Appelbaum & Rabbi Martin Cohen (2019)

Contributor(s):

Jonathan Perlman, Tamar Elad-Appelbaum and Martin Samuel Cohen

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Hateful Intolerance, Prejudice, and Bigotry, Mass Shootings & Gun Violence, Terror

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Prayers after acts of terrible violence, mass murder inside a synagogue, 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, קינות Ḳinnot, martyrdom, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M.

A ḳinah for the martyrs of the Tree of Life synagogue massacre in Boston in 2018. . . .

תְּפִלָּה בְּעַד מֶמְשֶׁלֶת שָׁלוֹם | Prayer for a Government of Peace, by Zackary Sholem Berger (2019)

Contributor(s):

Zackary Sholem Berger

Categories:

Government & Country, United States of America, Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty

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58th century A.M., United States Immigration Policy, Immigration policy of Donald Trump, Trump administration family separation policy, צדק צדק תרדוף tsedeq tsedeq tirdof, United States, 21st century C.E.

A prayer for a government when that government is causing pain through malicious policies. . . .

תפילה נוכח הרעה מדרום | Prayer in the face of the worsening situation in southern Israel (Masorti Movement in Israel 2019)

Contributor(s):

Aharon N. Varady (translation), Masorti Movement in Israel and Knesset haRabanim b'Yisrael

Categories:

Conflicts over Sovereignty and Dispossession

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מי שברך mi sheberakh, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., 2019 Tel Aviv rocket strike, Israeli–Palestinian conflict

A prayer for the safety of all the inhabitants of the Land of Israel offered during the November 12th, 2019 Tel Aviv rocket strike. . . .

Prayer for Universal Peace, by Rabbi Hillel Lavery-Yisraëli (2019)

Contributor(s):

R' Hillel Ḥayyim Lavery-Yisraëli

Categories:

National Brotherhood Week, United Nations Day (October 24th), Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty

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21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., English vernacular prayer, interfaith prayer, Christchurch mosque shootings

A prayer for universal peace offered by Hillel Yisraeli-Lavery as an opening prayer to a talk given in Hamilton, Canada by 2011 Nobel Prize winner Leymah Gbowee. . . .

From the Depths: A Prayer For Christchurch, by Rabbi Menachem Creditor (2019)

Contributor(s):