A Prayer for the New Year 5784

In this New Year 5784, / may we nurture compassion in our hearts / and increase empathy towards all who suffer / injustice, tyranny, war, terror, oppression, hate, bigotry, and cruelty, / and endeavor every day to alleviate their suffering.

May we recognize our solidarity with every immigrant and stranger, / and affirm that no human being ought ever to be treated as an “other,” / that our common humanity weaves us together / in one fabric of mutuality and one garment of destiny.

May we pursue the biblical prophet’s vision of justice and peace / and strive for the day when all will live together / harmoniously, equally, and safely, / respecting differences, cherishing diversity / and revering Divinity that sparkles within every human soul.

May we struggle against climate-change denial, ignorance, and intolerance, / neither despising nor defrauding nor abusing nor insulting any human being. / Rather, may we honor and support and nurture through word and by deed / all those in need and every creature of the earth.

May Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs, / in their homes, villages, cities, farms, and holy places, / in the Lands of Israel and Palestine / live peacefully and securely side-by-side / in two states for two peoples in their shared Homeland.

May humanity thrive everywhere under a democratic form of government / in which human rights are protected and freedom is preserved, / the uniqueness of every human being is cherished, / and all are allowed to blossom and grow to reach their full potential.

In this New Year 5784, / may we Jews admit and confess wrongs we committed, / and seek forgiveness, and do repentance, and restore relationships of meaning, / and be renewed with open hearts, new eyes, and refreshed spirits.

L’shanah tovah u-m’tukah.

Composed by Rabbi John L. Rosove