Atonement Prayer, by Lilian Helen Montagu

Source Link: https://opensiddur.org/?p=46393

Date: 2022-08-26

Last Updated: 2025-02-18

Categories: Yom Kippur

Tags: 20th century C.E., 58th century A.M., English vernacular prayer, זמן תשובה Zman teshuvah, סליחות səliḥot

Excerpt: This undated "Atonement Prayer" by the Hon. Lily H. Montagu (1873-1963) from the archives of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London, was published in, Lily Montagu: Sermons, Addresses, Letters, and Prayers (ed. Ellen M. Umansky, 1985), p. 352. . . .

Content:

Contribute a translation	Source (English)
	Almighty Father,   We thank Thee for the opportunities this day gives unto us – opportunities of thought and prayer, for self-examination and self-dedication. We humbly ask Thee to help us to feel Thy presence in our midst renewing our hope and our faith.
	At this sacred moment, we remember our failings. Against Thee, Thee only have we sinned, but Thou art our Father and knowing our weakness dost guide us to better achievement, if only we surrender ourselves to Thee. Let us then overcome the evil which separates thee from us. May we hear Thy charge to be faithful to the religion of our Fathers. Give us the courage to obey, even if obedience means sacrifice and suffering.
	Give us renewed joy, Oh Lord, by endowing us with the power to overcome fear and to create happiness for those we love and for the stranger within our gates. Let us ever seek to serve Thee by serving one another in sincerity and truth, and so bring nearer the time of peace and happiness for all humanity.
	Oh God, we thank Thee for life. Let us use it in Thy service.
	Amen.

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This undated “Atonement Prayer” by the Hon. Lily H. Montagu (1873-1963) from the archives of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London, was published in, Lily Montagu: Sermons, Addresses, Letters, and Prayers (ed. Ellen M. Umansky, 1985), p. 352.

Source(s)

Lily Montagu, sermons, addresses, letters, and prayers – Religious Leader – p. 352

 

Contributor: Aharon N. Varady (transcription)

Co-authors:

• 
  Name: Lilian Helen Montagu
  Bio: The Hon. Lilian Helen "Lily" Montagu, CBE (22 December 1873 – 22 January 1963) was the first woman to play a major role in Progressive Judaism. Until the age of 15, she was educated at Doreck College, and privately educated thereafter. In 1893 she founded with Emily Marion Harris the West Central Jewish Girls Club (which subsequently merged into the Jewish Girls' Brigade). She was active in social improvement, particularly in respect to unemployment, sweat shops and bad housing. In 1901 and 1902, Montagu laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Jewish Religious Union in London. In February 1902 she arranged the first meeting of the Jewish Religious Union for the Advancement of Liberal Judaism at her sister Henrietta Franklin's house. The Union set up the first synagogue in Liberal Judaism in the UK and helped found the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Montagu was a founding member with her sister of the Jewish League for Woman Suffrage. She sat on the executive committee and led the meetings in prayer. Following the retirement of Leo Baeck, Montagu served for a brief stint (1955–1959) in her 80s as president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, before handing the reins over to Solomon Freehof.
  Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lily_Montagu
  Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/lilian-helen-montagu
• 
  Name: Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
  Bio: Aharon Varady (M.A.J.Ed./JTSA Davidson) is a volunteer transcriber for the Open Siddur Project. If you find any mistakes in his transcriptions, please let him know. Shgiyot mi yavin; Ministarot naqeni שְׁגִיאוֹת מִי־יָבִין; מִנִּסְתָּרוֹת נַקֵּנִי "Who can know all one's flaws? From hidden errors, correct me" (Psalms 19:13). If you'd like to directly support his work, please consider donating via his Patreon account. (Varady also translates prayers and contributes his own original work besides serving as the primary shammes of the Open Siddur Project and its website, opensiddur.org.)
  Website: https://aharon.varady.net
  Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/aharon-varady-transcription

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Title: atonement prayer (Lily Montagu) – cropped
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