This is an archive of prayers written for or relevant to National Brotherhood Week in the United States.

National Brotherhood Week was established in 1934 by the National Conference for Christians & Jews (NCCJ) and dedicated to emphasizing the value of interdependence — for fostering interracial and interreligious tolerance, egalitarianism, and social welfare in a liberal democracy and multicultural civil society.

In 1943, during World War Ⅱ, President Roosevelt explained its purpose: “We are fighting for the right of men to live together as members of one family rather than as masters and slaves. We are fighting that the spirit of brotherhood which we prize in this country may be practiced here and by free men everywhere. It is our promise to extend such brotherhood earthwide which gives hope to all the world. The war makes the appeal of Brotherhood Week stronger than ever.”

To join the Brotherhood, one was invited to recite the following pledge written by director, David O. Selznick: “I pledge allegiance to this basic ideal of my country—fair play for all. I pledge myself to keep America free from the disease of hate that destroyed Europe. In good heart, I pledge unto my fellow Americans all the rights and the dignities I desire for myself. And to win support for these principles across the land, I join the American Brotherhood.”

The pledge was disseminated in cinemas via a short film, The American Creed (1946), highlighting the approbations of many of Hollywood’s luminaries:

Originally set for the third week of February, in 1943 during World War Ⅱ, President Franklin Roosevelt called for its celebration for ten days, from February 19th till the 28th. After the war, the “week” was either marked as the third week in February, February 17th through the 24th, or as the period between the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln (February 12th) and George Washington (February 22nd).

While the spirit of National Brotherhood Week was diminished to the extent that by the mid-1960s it became a popular subject of satire (famously by Tom Lehrer), nevertheless, the civic values it upholds deserve to be maintained and sustained and strengthened, especially in our times when the multicultural civil society upon which our democracy depends is being weakened. —Aharon N. Varady

Click here to contribute a prayer you have written, translated, or transcribed for National Brotherhood Week.